The aim of this experimental scenario study is to examine the effects of giving voice to citizens in the decision-making process of a wind farm implementation on perceived procedural fairness,...Show moreThe aim of this experimental scenario study is to examine the effects of giving voice to citizens in the decision-making process of a wind farm implementation on perceived procedural fairness, trust in the project developer and project acceptance (versus no-voice versus pseudo voice). The effects of voice procedure were examined by means of an experimental study among UK citizens (N = 168). We offer our participants an experimental scenario where a project developer plans to build a wind farm near their house. Depending on the experimental condition, participants were told that they could voice their opinion and that this was considered in the decision-making process (voice), that they could voice their opinion but that this was not considered (pseudo-voice) or that they could not voice their opinion (no-voice). We hypothesised and found that giving voice to citizens increases perceived procedural fairness, which in turn increases trust in the project developer and project acceptance (versus no-voice and pseudo-voice). In addition, this research predicted higher perceived procedural fairness, trust in the project developer and project acceptance in people who were given pseudo-voice compared to no-voice. However, the results did not support this. Other factors found to be positively relating to citizens’ project acceptance were perceived community benefits and general attitudes towards wind farms. This research concludes that giving voice to citizens increases perceived procedural fairness, trust in the project developer and project acceptance, provided that this voice is actually considered by the project developer.Show less
Climate change is the most pressing problem of our time and the transition towards a renewables-based economy is the only long-term solution. It is well established that offshore wind holds great...Show moreClimate change is the most pressing problem of our time and the transition towards a renewables-based economy is the only long-term solution. It is well established that offshore wind holds great promise in terms of providing energy capacity for East Asian nations that rely on the imports of fossil fuels. This study provides a comparative analysis of three East Asian nations to find what policies affect the successful deployment of offshore wind capacity. Several hypotheses, formed around influencing factors such as energy market liberalization, financial and quantitative incentive policies and siting procedures are formed and tested against offshore wind deployment data. The Most Similar Systems Designs method is employed to isolate the factors under examination and control for social, cultural, political, environmental and economic factors. The results provide insight into the effectiveness of policies across and within nations and reasons for the differences between nations.Show less
This thesis assesses and compares neo-colonial mechanisms in Franco-Algerian and European Union-Algerian relations in shale gas exploration and solar power potential. Neo-colonialism supposes...Show moreThis thesis assesses and compares neo-colonial mechanisms in Franco-Algerian and European Union-Algerian relations in shale gas exploration and solar power potential. Neo-colonialism supposes traditional colonial activities have not ended after decolonisation but are continued ‘hidden in plain sight’. The criteria to investigate these mechanisms are economic predominance, political influence, and perpetuation of socio-economic disparities by cooperation with an elite in the former colony. The theoretical framework draws from the fields of international relations and anthropology. Energy security being the main priority for Algeria, France, and the EU, it dictates the development of new energy resources, often failing to take into account the effects on inhabitants of the extraction zones thus maintaining neo-colonial mechanisms.Show less
The wind energy market in Japan lags behind other energy sources in size, development and implementation of the technology. This paper analyses the causes behind the stagnant nature of wind energy...Show moreThe wind energy market in Japan lags behind other energy sources in size, development and implementation of the technology. This paper analyses the causes behind the stagnant nature of wind energy in Japan, using a PESTLE analysis to determine important influencing factors. These are then used to make recommendations concerning government policy aimed at the wind energy market in Japan.Show less
