The Social Dimension of Renewable Energy Developments

Abstract

Abstract

Seeking clues for sustainable energy future, this paper focuses on the social dimension of renewable energy developments. It aims to gain insight into this dimension and to clarify its significance. With this purpose, it reviews the general understandings, key assumptions and the different views in the relevant literature, on the basis of two main themes: local opposition and participation. While doing this, it adopts a view that renewable energy developments should be promoted without sacrificing the social pillar of sustainable development. In order to achieve socially acceptable solutions and transition to sustainable society, such a view points to a need for understanding social context of renewable energies and searching for more democratic and fair processes, and above all, a change in the dominant policy paradigms. The “what?” and “how?” questions in the context of our country necessitates further research on the social and policy dimensions of renewable energy. Since the subject has not been adequately addressed yet, this paper is considered to serve as a reference and to open up a new research field.

Keywords: Renewable Energy, Sustainable Development, Local Opposition, Participation.

 

Keywords

• Renewable Energy, Sustainable Development, Local Opposition, Participation

Yenilenebilir Enerji Gelişimlerinin Sosyal Boyutu

Abstract

Öz

Sürdürülebilir enerji geleceği için ipuçları arayışıyla bu makale, yenilenebilir enerji gelişimlerinin sosyal boyutuna odaklanmaktadır. Bu boyutun doğasını anlamayı ve önemine açıklık kazandırmayı amaç edinmektedir. Bu amaç doğrultusunda, yerel muhalefet ve katılım olarak belirlenen iki ana tema temelinde ilgili literatürdeki genel anlayışları, temel kabulleri ve farklı görüşleri incelemektedir. Bunu yaparken, yenilenebilir enerji gelişimlerinin sürdürülebilir kalkınmanın sosyal ayağını feda etmeksizin desteklenmesi görüşünü benimsemektedir. Toplumsal olarak kabul edilebilir çözümlere ve sürdürülebilir topluma geçişe erişebilmek üzere böyle bir görüş, yenilebilir enerjilerin sosyal bağlamının anlaşılması ve daha demokratik ve adil süreçlerin aranması gerekliliğini ve hepsinden önemlisi, hâkim politika paradigmalarında bir değişimi işaret etmektedir. Ülkemiz bağlamında “ne?” ve “nasıl?” soruları yenilenebilir enerjinin sosyal ve politika boyutlarına dair daha fazla araştırmayı gerekli kılmaktadır. Konunun henüz yeterince ele alınmamış olması nedeniyle bu makalenin yapılacak çalışmalara bir referans olarak hizmet edeceği ve yeni bir araştırma alanının önünü açacağı düşünülmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler: Yenilenebilir Enerji, Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma, Yerel Muhalefet, Katılım.

 

Keywords

• Yenilenebilir Enerji, Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma, Yerel Muhalefet, Katılım

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