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Transition by consent: Meeting Britain’s energy needs together

The long-term low carbon transition can only occur with the consent of the public. Rather than a renewed focus on top-down solutions, communities need to be given a greater role in infrastructure design and development.

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  • Transition by consent
  • By Cameron Tait
  • Published 21 January 2015

Future sources of renewable energy in the UK will need to deliver affordability, security of supply and decarbonisation. However, the crucial investment required to meet these energy needs is at risk because public opinion and policy priorities create an uncertain environment for investors.

From research into priorities for UK energy policy, current government progress on renewable energy development, and a review of best practice from the energy industry itself, this report finds that winning community consent is the only sustainable way to deliver affordable, green energy to the UK in the long term.

Innovative developers are already clearing a new pathway for transition to a low carbon economy by including local communities as partners in project design. Transition by Consent argues that government too has a role to play in facilitating a stronger focus on community consent in renewable energy infrastructure.

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Author

Cameron Tait

Cameron Tait is head of the Changing Work Centre and senior research fellow at the Fabian Society.

@cameronrjtait

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