Energy transition and the phenomenon "not in my backyard"

Workshop of CIPRA Austria and the Alpine Climate Board: 

Energy transition refers to the global shift from fossil fuel-based energy systems to renewable energy sources. This transition is important to reach our goals, e.g. those towards climate-neutral and climate-resilient Alps 2050.

There are many answers to the question of “How this transition can be made possible.” What we already know is that the energy transition needs space. We also know that space is limited and has to fulfil many – also contradictory – requirements. Focusing on the “not in my backyard" phenomenon (hereafter "NIMBY"), CIPRA AT and the Alpine Climate Board (ACB) of the Alpine Convention (AC) invites to a workshop on Energy transition and the phenomenon “not in my backyard”.

Background

The NIMBY phenomenon, which has been empirically observed and was identified in environmental justice movements in the USA in the 1980s and 1990s, refers to the difference in the discrepancy between general attitudes towards environmental improvement – we will talk explicitly about renewable energy technologies - and specific attitudes towards them. In other words, people are in favour of the construction of certain environmental technologies that bring about change because they make a positive contribution to the system, but they would rather not have them near their own homes.

Target groups

Our workshop is targeted to the following groups (but open to all interested persons): Scientific community, Project applicants, Public concerned, Environmentalists

Objectives of the workshop

In this workshop, we want to exchange views and ideas on solutions towards climate-neutral and climate-resilient Alps 2050. We will discuss four main questions, focusing on the fourth:

-          What is the vision of climate-neutral Alps, focusing on the energy system?
-          How can the NIMBY phenomenon be overcome in the energy transition?
-          What common interests do the stakeholders have?
-          How can diverging interests be brought together?

In order to enable constructive discussions, a mediator will guide us through this process.

The workshop will be held in English.

The workshop is free of charge. Please register here by 19 March 2024.
The number of participants is limited (up to 30).

Privacy policy

Due to the Data Protection Ordinance (GDPR), registration is only possible using the form. Recording of audio or video of the event and/or parts of it is prohibited for copyright reasons.

Contact

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with Katharina Zwettler from the Austrian Ministry for Climate Action (katharina.zwettler@bmk.gv.at) and/or Paul Kuncio from CIPRA Austria (paul.kuncio@cipra.org) if you have any questions.

Further information

CIPRA Austria published three interviews with three different stakeholders/experts in the field of energy transition and NIMBY. You´ll find the interviews here: https://www.cipra.org/de/cipra/oesterreich/alpenkonvention (103/2023, 104/2023 and 105/2023; available only in German).