1. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg Acceptance of wind energy plants - A psychological approach towards the acceptance of wind energy plants Jan Zoellner Department of Psychology Research Group Environmental Psychology Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg

2. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg “Public acceptance of renewable energy systems and socioscientific questions” Research project promoted by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conversation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) concerning the social issues of power generation by Wind energy utilisation (On-Shore) PV solar energy utilisation (ground-installed systems) Biomass utilisation

3. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg Research aims Detailed understanding of actual degrees of acceptance and their determinants Systematisation of relevant influence factors to the formation process of public acceptance Regarding possible differences between different regions in perception and evaluation Developing a standardised questionnaire Outlining of recommendations of possible conflict solution strategies

4. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg Method Multi-methodological approach Different regions, case studies Expert interviews, process analysis Quantitative polls „Action research“

5. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg Method Research in literature and other media Consideration the main arguments in wind turbines based conflicts Systematisation of conflict contents and building up links to basic psychological research and theories

6. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg Main Arguments in Current Wind Debates (pros) Reduction of CO 2 emissions use of „clean“ energy independence from fossil fuels and nuclear energy creation of new jobs increasing export profits becoming technological market leader in this branch

7. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg Main Arguments in Current Wind Debates (cons) negative impacts on the natural scenery potential risks for nature (e.g. for the avifauna) negative economical balance, electricity would become more expensive risks caused by less reliability for the power grid and energy supply negative impacts on the quality of life for residents

8. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg Acceptance of wind energy: possible influencing variables Behaviour (conativ) Need for Nature Acceptance of wind energy Reliability Economic Aspects Risk Evaluation Interest Impacts on the affective system Influence of Media Energy Consciousness Socio- economic data Justice (procedural & distributive) Visual contact Environmental Consciousness Landscape Evaluation (cognitive) Perception of political measures

9. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg

11. Conflicting interests Wind energy as a topic of actual socio-political relevance Strong promotion by Federal Government Public polls show a support of wind energy in principle On local levels citizens’ initiatives formed up global aims local needs c o n f l i c t

12. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg Social Psychological Approaches Attitude research –Three-component models (e.g. Rosenberg & Hovland, 1960) Social Justice Theory –Distributive and procedural justice (e.g. Adams, 1965; Tyler, 1980, ; Leventhal, 1980) Risk evaluation –Perception and disposition (e.g. Günther, 1998) Influence of the media –Agenda-setting theory (e.g. McCombs & Shaw, 1972)

13. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg Environmental Psychological Approaches Human-Environment-Interaction –Transactionalistic approach (e.g. Ittelson, 1974) Perception of natural scenery –Aesthetical needs (e.g. Hellbrück, 1999) Local Identity –Mental representations of homeland (e.g. Haubl, 1998) Environmental awareness –Sensibility for changes in climate (e.g. Kuckartz, 1998)

14. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg Questionnaire construction Based on the theoretical background Developing several quantitative scales for measuring relevant aspects, five-step answer structure Conative Items: concrete behaviour and behaviour intention Choice of interesting regions for contrasting scientific research concerning the wind energy utilisation Open questions to get qualitative data

15. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg Sample Items 1 Energy related topics are counted among the biggest problems in our society. To guarantee energy generation in future, the use of renewable energies is mandatory. In the long run, wind energy plants are financially favourable electricity generators. Because of wind energy, electricity will become more expensive. There are too many wind energy plants already. Wind energy plants disfigure the landscape.

16. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg Sample Items 2 My quality of life is restricted because of wind energy plants. I feel constricted because of the sight of wind energy plants. Local authorities conduct the planning of wind energy plants in an fair manner. I would like to have a bigger say in the planning procedures. I am financially involved in a wind energy plant project. I support demonstrations against wind energy plants. I try to persuade my friends to the benefits of wind energy.

17. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg „I support wind energy as a matter of principle“ Statement is.....entirely correct..partially correct..I am undecided..rather incorrect..entirely incorrect 29,2% 37,1% 15,1% 9,3% 67,3%

18. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg Results 1a Correlation of the scales scaleacceptance economy.71** affective impacts-.65** natural scenery.55** reliability-.42** **. Correlation is on the level of 0.01 (2-tailed) significant ( Pearson) *. Correlation is on the level of 0.05 (2-tailed) significant ( Pearson )

19. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg Results 1b Correlation of the scales scaleacceptance risks-.36** justice.35** clima. awareness.31** envir. awareness.16* **. Correlation is on the level of 0.01 (2-tailed) significant ( Pearson) *. Correlation is on the level of 0.05 (2-tailed) significant ( Pearson )

20. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg Results 2a Mean differences between the counties scaleTdfsig. (2-tailed) climate awareness -3,01289,00 environ. awareness 1,64289,10 natural scenery 4,24289,00 impacts affective -1,97289,05

21. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg Results 2b Mean differences between the counties scaleTdfsig. (2-tailed) economy4,48289,00 reliability-2,63289,01 risks,71289,47 justice1,49289,13 acceptance2,93289,00

22. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg Perception of political measures Based on qualitative and quantitave data General attitude towards politics Media reports –On global and local level Low degree of information –Low degree of knowledge –Diffuse/unclear imaginations about the topic and the involved actors, laws etc

23. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg Connection between global and local level through corresponding actors Perceived justice during the implementation process (local authorities) Presentation of operating companies on site Association between the object „RES“ and politics: image, trust… Impact on „overall evaluation“ – support/rejection Perception of political measures

24. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg Perception of political measures residents criticise that their interests are not represented by local politicians, particularly when compared to economic interests concerning the assumed motivation of wind energy plants operators, profit seeking and economic interests were named instead of environmental ambitions politicians and operators are condemned as untrustworthy and considered "a coalition of the mighty“ More "correct" and objective information from an independent institution is requested

25. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg „Local authorithies conduct the planning of wind energy plants in a fair manner.“ % 14%

26. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg „Conflicts in the planning stage are solved to the satisfaction of all.“ % 11%

27. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg „In the planning and implementation stages, all interests of citizens are taken into account.“ 13% % 66,3%

28. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg „I would like to have a bigger say in the planning procedures.“ 64% %

29. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg % „I would like more information by the media“ 65%

30. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg Discussion Importance of justice in context of wind energy in general could be shown Distributive as well as procedural justice are relevant parameters Information as a first step or “basic level” of justice and participation Role of broad and accurate information on local level in early stages of planning processes

31. 2nd PhD Seminar on Wind Energy in Europe, Roskilde Jan Zoellner, OvGU Magdeburg Discussion Social processes are important factors to the formation of public acceptance Emphasising of regarding the social framework in which wind energy is embedded (residents want to have a say) Incentives or compensations (financial or concerning the landscape) might improve distributive justice Individuals as well as regions should benefit from wind energy