Claire Haggett - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Claire Haggett

This is an author-produced version of the following article: Gray, Haggett and Bell, Offshore win... more This is an author-produced version of the following article: Gray, Haggett and Bell, Offshore wind farms and commercial fisheries in the UK: A

Energy Transition, 2019

Community and local ownership in RE are an integral part of Scottish climate change policy, energ... more Community and local ownership in RE are an integral part of Scottish climate change policy, energy policy, and its rural and community development policies. The Government has released a Community Energy Policy Statement, and has set a target for community and local ownership of RE of 500 MW by 2020, which was met in late 2015. As a result, the government’s Draft Energy Strategy 2017 sets out two further aims of 1 GW of community and locally owned energy by 2020, and 2 GW by 2030. Furthermore, consumer (co-)ownership received explicit recognition of its crucial role in the 2018 recast of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) as part of the Clean Energy Package. However, in the light of the UK’s decision to leave the EU, the transposition of the RED II into UK Law until 2021 is unsure, although it would be an important legislative impulse as it introduces a legal framework for consumer (co-)ownership. Distinguishing by the degree of ownership, there exist various models enabling community and individual investment, such as owner operator, commercial developer led, joint venture, and community developer—the first being a model of full community ownership and the last three being forms of shared ownership. The majority of community energy projects are fully community-owned and, unlike in many other countries, the dominant finance/development model employed is that of a ‘Development Trust’. Only approximately 5 per cent involve some form of shared ownership with a developer or community investment in a commercial project. Common options available are listed in the Governments’ good practice principles with an emphasis on (i) shared revenue, (ii) joint venture, and (iii) split ownership.

This chapter is about public consultation, participation and engagement in spatial planning decis... more This chapter is about public consultation, participation and engagement in spatial planning decisions. While the discussion focuses on renewable energy, these issues have resonance far beyond this topic. Consideration of the possibilities and procedures for involving people in the spatial planning agenda are important for many aspects of a response to climate change, from debates over governance to topics such as flood management.This chapter addresses the rationale, practicalities and difficulties of engaging people in planning, highlighting the directly transferable implications for other sector objectives, through an examination of renewable energy. Indeed, it is impossible to think about the implementation of renewable energy without addressing the involvement and impact of the public in these processes.While fiscal regulations and subsidies, technical efficiency and political deliberations all affect the deployment of renewables, the stark fact remains that all of this matters ...

Community energy projects are supported by the Scottish Government via the Community and Renewabl... more Community energy projects are supported by the Scottish Government via the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES), which provides free advice and financial assistance including grant and loan support; and through the Community Energy Toolkit, a self-help guide for communities who are embarking on a project. This report intends to provide analysis to assist the Scottish Government in enhancing support for community energy projects and making progress towards its community energy targets.

This chapter 12 studies the social acceptance and socioeconomic effects associated with the devel... more This chapter 12 studies the social acceptance and socioeconomic effects associated with the development of multi-use offshore platforms, using a theoretical concept in Taiwan as the relevant casestudy. We use a face-to-face surveys together with in-depth interviews with local people and tourists who are currently or will be potentially affected by offshore developments on Liuqiu Island. A choice experiment is deployed to assess the ecosystem services and non-market effects of the platform. The social costs and benefits analysis are adopted to synthesize both market and non-market effects of the platform. The study finds a generally high support for the platform among tourists. The concern mainly focuses on the uncertain environmental impacts and effects on local fishery industry. Neither locals nor tourists view the energy hub which generates most income and jobs as a very attractive option. The Green & Blue concept shows a high environmental nonmarket benefit which amount to 618 million $NT. However, the high investment cost over weighs the positive GDP and environmental gain when comparing the social benefits with investment costs.

Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space, 2018

'Community' is frequently identified as an important element of sustainable development policy, w... more 'Community' is frequently identified as an important element of sustainable development policy, with communities thought to be particularly effective spaces in which to encourage individuals to adopt sustainable lifestyles. The potential power of a community-based approach derives from the ability of community groups to tap into existing social networks and local bonds of trust to communicate messages and enact change. To date, there has been little consideration of the position and influence of newcomers to communities within this rationale. This paper explores this issue through two government-funded, community-led sustainability projects in rural Scotland. We observe that the majority of those most actively involved in these two projects had migrated to the communities and were considered 'incomers' by both themselves and other 'local' residents. Drawing these observations together with literature on rural migration and participation in community activity, we explore the potential implications for the outcomes of initiatives seeking to influence lifestyle change. We question whether projects that are established by, and primarily comprised of, individuals who are not necessarily considered 'locals' locally align with the rationale behind a 'community-led' approach.

Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space, 2017

This paper presents the findings of a research project evaluating community benefit models for of... more This paper presents the findings of a research project evaluating community benefit models for offshore renewables. We identify and analyse UK and international case studies of different forms of community benefit, and provide evidence of how such benefits are delivered. In particular we consider the key relationship between the identification of communities, perception of impact, and the apportionment of benefits. In doing so, we develop a range of different definitions of ‘community’, ‘benefit’, and ‘impact’ when considering community benefits. We propose that the way in which community, benefit, and impact are understood is crucial in determining whether or how benefits should be apportioned and delivered; and that these definitions are closely connected to each other. We develop a new series of typologies as a way to understand this. Finally, we assess different mechanisms and schemes of community benefits to identify good practice and key points of learning for policy and plann...

Planning Theory & Practice, 2016

is a sociologist and research fellow at the University of Edinburgh. Her research focusses on soc... more is a sociologist and research fellow at the University of Edinburgh. Her research focusses on social dimensions of sustainability and energy policy. In particular her work critically examines the role of members of the publicand public knowledgein planning processes around wind farms and the various opportunities for community members to become involved with renewable energy projects. Her wider research interests relate to discourses of climate change and sustainability and their impacts for policy and public engagement.

This paper is about health, risk, and responsibility. Any discussion of a health risk inevitably ... more This paper is about health, risk, and responsibility. Any discussion of a health risk inevitably involves attributing blame for its incidence and in this in part dependant upon whether a risk is considered to be voluntarily assumed or forcibly imposed. However, deciding whether a risk has been assumed or imposed is not straightforward, and is a highly contested part of any risk construction. This paper explores this in relation to one particular risk to health, that of contracting a deep vein thrombosis on a long haul flight, more commonly known as 'economy class syndrome'. Different groups present the risk in distinct ways, and this paper focuses on the contrasting constructions developed of the role of the airlines-either contentious but absolved of blame, or imposing the risk and creating a conspiracy of silence about it; and the passengers-either responsible for the risk through their agency, or helpless victims. This paper uses discourse analysis to explore how this is achieved, and how the conceptions of risk as assumed or imposed are enacted by different groups.

This thesis is about discourse, risk, and the management of blame. It examines the case study of ... more This thesis is about discourse, risk, and the management of blame. It examines the case study of `economy class syndrome', the risk of developing a blood clot after a long-haul flight, and analyses accounts of it from four different interested groups. To do so, the epistemological and methodological principles of discourse analysis have been adopted. These principles are reviewed in depth, and difficulties applying them to research considered and addressed. Four themes are apparent in discourses about risk; that risks do not `just happen'; the frequency, seriousness and very existence of a risk is highly contested; risks can be predicted, managed and prevented; and responsibility and blame for them can be attributed. Some conclusions are also drawn about the discursive features that are used to construct these versions of risks. It is suggested that both these themes and features have wider application beyond this case study. The study of the research topic, the management of the difficulties in applying discourse analytic methods, and the generalisability of the conclusions are all reflexively considered. This research is therefore a substantive contribution to understanding the constructions of risks through discourse; and it is also a contribution to the application of discourse analysis as a theory and method.

Sociologia Ruralis, 2016

For rural communities, energy projects can provide a host of benefits, and yet also be a source o... more For rural communities, energy projects can provide a host of benefits, and yet also be a source of significant conflict. Place attachment has become an increasingly popular concept for understanding local responses to large scale renewable energy installations. However, there has been significantly less attention paid to how place attachment influences local responses to community-led developments. This study contributes to the body of research on place attachment by examining its role in shaping opinions on two locally initiated projects. Interviews were conducted with residents in two rural communities in the Scottish Highlands, where community organisations are developing renewable energy projects. The findings show that place attachment was an important motivator for the development of these projects, but that different types of place attachment also formed a key source of disagreement. Finally, the implications of these findings for rural communities engaging in community-led development initiatives will be discussed.

Ocean & Coastal Management, 2015

In this article we address social acceptance in marine governance. Public support and opposition ... more In this article we address social acceptance in marine governance. Public support and opposition are critical to any future developments of marine areas, and are often neglected aspects. Whilst one of the main new developments in European marine areas is the increase in sites for offshore wind, social acceptance of renewable energy developments in Europe is shown to be low in a series of ongoing studies. There is perhaps often a sense that renewables such as wind, wave and tidal will be 'out of sight, out of mind' when developed offshore but the empirical research evidence from across Europe suggests otherwise. People are protesting against offshore wind, and doing so very effectively, preventing and delaying the development of projects. This article articulates the term 'social acceptance' as a goal in marine policy implementation in European waters in general, and provides illustrations of the implications of social acceptance of offshore wind in a series of case studies. The experiences of social acceptance, together with theoretical insights, should be taken into account in future innovations for blue energy at sea, including the wind farms, but also wave and tidal devices and other technological developments.

Current Sustainable/Renewable Energy Reports, 2015

This is a time of real significance for community energy. Governments in Scotland and the UK, as ... more This is a time of real significance for community energy. Governments in Scotland and the UK, as well as across Europe and around the world, are increasingly turning their attention to the opportunities that energy projects led by communities or with community involvement can provide. In this paper, we focus in particular on the Scottish context to discuss the benefits that such projects can bring, and the difficulties that they can face. We then discuss possible steps to address these, before concluding with remarks about the future of communities and energy projects.

Ethics, Place & Environment, 2005

This article is an exploration of a current environmental issue which is dividing two industries ... more This article is an exploration of a current environmental issue which is dividing two industries in the UK. The issue is offshore windfarms, and the industries are commercial fishing and wind energy. We show how there is an unequal power relationship between the two industries, with the wind energy industry dominant, supported by both the Government and public opinion, but the fishing industry must be consulted by the developers, and it has a compelling case for the re-siting of turbines away from prime fishing grounds, or for compensation for loss of access to those grounds. We draw on interviews carried out with offshore developers, regulators, and representatives of the fishing industry to demonstrate that the controversy over offshore windfarms highlights three core issues of conflict: the adequacy of stakeholder consultation processes; the right to compensation for loss of livelihood; and the lack of adequate data. We found that the characterisations that developers, regulators, and fishers hold of each other, critically inform their positions on these issues. We examine the weak bargaining position of fishers, and the 'power game' that is played out between them and developers. Our conclusion is that offshore wind farm development would be better managed if stakeholder consultation was more extensive; compensation claims were more standardised; and scientific data was more readily available, but that in the meantime, fishers could improve their bargaining power by mobilising potential allies.

Routledge Handbook of Climate Change and Society, 2013

Learning from Wind Power

Research on wind power from around the world has demonstrated the importance of a disjuncture bet... more Research on wind power from around the world has demonstrated the importance of a disjuncture between the global benefits of renewable energy production and the direct and tangible disbenefits felt by host communities. One such potential impact is explored here — noise from wind turbines. It is commonly assumed that noise can be simply and accurately ‘measured’, and that account can be taken of the level of disturbance. However, noise measurement and annoyance are much more complicated issues. Whilst developers state that noise levels are within industry standards, and that it is possible to have a conversation standing underneath a turbine, this fails to: (1) appreciate that the industry guidelines are problematic and controversial in themselves; and (2) understand that noise is something that is ‘experienced’ rather than just ‘heard’.

Post-Approval / Construction Post-Commissioning Scotland  Comments on plans and SEA  Non-bindin... more Post-Approval / Construction Post-Commissioning Scotland  Comments on plans and SEA  Non-binding preapplication consultation (for developments over 20MW)  Information provision; public events on site  Written comments and representations  Possible hearing  Information provision  Community funds depending on developer England  Compulsory pre-application consultation, but no standardised approaches  Written comments and representations  Information provision  appeals  Community funds Wales  Compulsory pre-application consultations  Written comments and representations  Information provision  Potential appeals  Community funds Denmark  Public consultations and hearings while developing plans  Initiation of projects  Suggestions on content and scope of EIA  Public consultation period; written comments, representations and alternatives  Non-compulsory citizen meetings  Appeals  Benefits through various ownership schemes Germany  Public display of draft plans  Written comments on local and regional development plans  Public display of documents  Written comments during approval procedure  public hearing  Potential financial benefits through (co)ownership Sweden  Early consultation on local plans  Public hearings  Several rounds of public consultation  Written comments France  Proposal of zones for wind farms  Consultations on zone designation  Information provision  Public inquiry