socioeco.org
Resource website of social and solidarity economy

Energy transition

Themes : Bringing economy and ecology together

In the face of the combined threats of peak oil and increasingly perceptible climate changes, citizens are opting for different forms of energy: local, shared, ecological, collective and cooperative. The goal is three-pronged: raise awareness about energy consumption in general and adopt reduced-consumption solutions; put a stop to energy dependence on fossil fuels and nuclear energy, and initiate an energy transition that places consumption as close as possible to the resource.

This development naturally lies within the sphere of the SSE, with citizens forming groups and pooling their resources to finance projects for creating cooperatives based on renewable energies (solar, wind, biomass, etc.) that respect the environment. These solutions combine local roots, innovative solutions, an environmentally-friendly approach, carbon footprint reduction, democratic governance, non-speculative purpose and the social and solidarity economy. They are hugely popular in Germany and Denmark in particular. As Hugues Sybille points out, “the formula offers two major competitive advantages: it can be used to bring into play local savings. In Germany, for example, cooperatives use their own funds for half their financing. The second advantage is that the formula fosters greater acceptability among citizens, for example, of wind turbines. Instead of projects that are imposed rather than being chosen, we develop the projects we wish for and agree to.” Another energy future is emerging.

8 publications | One proposal | 14 case studies | 22 Analyses/working papers/articles | 2 public contributions | 2 articles

8 publications

One proposal

14 case studies

22 Analyses/working papers/articles

2 public contributions

2 articles