Co-creating NZ’s energy future Janet Stephenson Centre for the Study of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Otago ‘Democratising Energy’ Hui, Puketeraki Marae 17 June 2011 Developing a taste for spinach

Conundrum “Worst ever carbon emissions leave climate on the brink” Guardian 29 May 2011 “A controversial North Canterbury wind-farm proposal has drawn more than 130 submissions” Stuff 25 May 2011

3 Reducing energy-related emissions – to keep world under 2 degrees rise From IEA World Energy Outlook (2009)

System-wide change needed Not just about supplying more electricity: also Distributed generation Energy use & efficiency Transport Infrastructure Attitudes & knowledge The rise of ‘prosumers’, smart grids etc Need living examples of how it can be done

EECA public opinion survey 2009

% appealed by power type Stephenson & Ioannou 2010

Why? Scale?

(n=266) Schaefer 2010

Scale v appeals (wind farms) Stephenson & Ioannou 2010

Why? NIMBY? (Not In My Back Yard)

Only one with more local opposition Comparing submissions on 3 windfarms: local = within 15 km radius Graham, Stephenson & Smith 2009

Why? Oppositional groups don’t seek coal-fired power stations! Effects on environment? – Noise, landscape traffic etc? Yes, but... our interviewees mostly talked about other issues Stephenson & Ioannou 2010

Why can’t we just have a normal dinner? Not acceptable because... Direct/tangible impacts (RMA business) Scale & size Place attachment / values of existing site Absence of local benefits Not appropriate sustainability solution Lack of trust in developer/government Lack of local control/governance Being cast as ‘the problem’ Not part of ‘cultural norm’ I don’t like the taste! There’s too much on my plate! What do I get out of this? Let me make my own dinner! I’d rather eat broccoli instead What are you doing to me, Dad? Why blame me if I don’t like it? None of my friends have to eat it

Addressing the ‘spinach’ factors: If communities are involved, opposition reduces Plenty of interest in ‘growing our own’ energy

Schaefer 2010 (n=266)

Developing the taste for spinach in Blueskin Bay Building on greater acceptability of smaller scale Building on rich history of social entrepreneurs, inventiveness, DIY Enabling forms of local involvement – joint ventures, community shares Supporting community/individual initiatives

Some barriers: Schaefer 2010 Farmer perceptions of barriers to installing wind turbines on their property (n =199) (initial cost not included)

BCRT’s vision The spinach factors Within control of BCRT Should be addressed if good processes & engagement The barriers Outside of control of BCRT Likely to need external support, formal alliances, shifts in policy, changes to market BAU, etc First-off-the-block challenges (and rewards!)

Co-create NZ’s energy future Major social, technological and landscape change involved in NZ’s energy transition Recognise groups such as BRCT as allies in this shift Enable the public to have a real role in shaping the transition process rather than just recipients