Renewable Energy and the Renewable Energy and the Discourses of ObjectionDiscourses of Objection

Geraint EllisGeraint EllisJohn BarryJohn Barry

Clive RobinsonClive RobinsonQueen’s University, BelfastQueen’s University, Belfast

Objectives of the ResearchObjectives of the Research

•Aim to exploring discourses of opposition and Aim to exploring discourses of opposition and support for renewable energy. support for renewable energy.

•Key aim was to map, describe and interpret the Key aim was to map, describe and interpret the arguments, positions and values of key arguments, positions and values of key stakeholders in the debate over wind power. stakeholders in the debate over wind power.

•The study was NOT about making a judgement The study was NOT about making a judgement either for or against wind energy.either for or against wind energy.

•Study employs two research strategies:Study employs two research strategies:– Detailed analysis of documents that frame the wind power debate and national and Detailed analysis of documents that frame the wind power debate and national and

local levelslocal levels– Detailed case study of the Tunes Plateau, using Q-methodology.Detailed case study of the Tunes Plateau, using Q-methodology.

Assumptions of the Research:Assumptions of the Research:Contextual issuesContextual issues

•The authority of science can be no longer be The authority of science can be no longer be assumed with an increasingly sceptical and assumed with an increasingly sceptical and knowledgeable citizenry (“Post Normal Science”) knowledgeable citizenry (“Post Normal Science”)

•Science no longer speaks with one voice (“Risk Science no longer speaks with one voice (“Risk Society”)Society”)

•Competency to deal with energy/environmental Competency to deal with energy/environmental problems is not the exclusive preserve of ‘experts’problems is not the exclusive preserve of ‘experts’

•Key issue is ‘trust’ between citizens and public Key issue is ‘trust’ between citizens and public institutions, scientific community etc.institutions, scientific community etc.

•Paradox of an increasingly technologically Paradox of an increasingly technologically dependent society becoming more sceptical about dependent society becoming more sceptical about technological innovations and developmentstechnological innovations and developments

Assumptions of the Research: Assumptions of the Research: The Wind Power DebateThe Wind Power Debate

• ‘‘NIMBY’ is unhelpful in explaining local opposition NIMBY’ is unhelpful in explaining local opposition to wind farms.to wind farms.

•The conventional view that more ‘information’ and The conventional view that more ‘information’ and (authoritative) ‘knowledge’ is the solution to the (authoritative) ‘knowledge’ is the solution to the ‘problem’ of local opposition is questionable. ‘problem’ of local opposition is questionable.

•The debate is not simply one of knowledge vs. The debate is not simply one of knowledge vs. ignorance, but of clash of values.ignorance, but of clash of values.

• Importance of replacing antagonism of ‘supporter’ Importance of replacing antagonism of ‘supporter’ vs. ‘opposer’ with more nuanced sense of varieties vs. ‘opposer’ with more nuanced sense of varieties of positions within and between these positions.of positions within and between these positions.

•Potential of ‘problem-solving’ approach through Potential of ‘problem-solving’ approach through deliberation and identification of any of shared deliberation and identification of any of shared values. values.

Framing Debate on Wind Framing Debate on Wind Energy: UK Policy DiscoursesEnergy: UK Policy Discourses

Opposition Discourse ThemesOpposition Discourse Themes

•Sacrifice and disempowerment: Sacrifice and disempowerment: – local values, sea/landscape sacrificed for national or global endslocal values, sea/landscape sacrificed for national or global ends– strong sense of local interests being (relatively) powerless against strong sense of local interests being (relatively) powerless against

large forces of government and business.large forces of government and business.

•Lack of trust in government, regulators and Lack of trust in government, regulators and developers.developers.

•Language of war, conflict and defence:Language of war, conflict and defence:– ‘‘Invasion of the wind farm’; ‘three armed invaders’; ‘phalanx of Invasion of the wind farm’; ‘three armed invaders’; ‘phalanx of

turbines’; need to ‘defend’ valued local areas, ‘waging a war against turbines’; need to ‘defend’ valued local areas, ‘waging a war against turbines’.turbines’.

Opposition Discourse ThemesOpposition Discourse Themes

• Industrialisation and commercialisation for Industrialisation and commercialisation for private profit of the sea/landscape: private profit of the sea/landscape: – Wind farms destroying areas of beauty and tranquillity; the Wind farms destroying areas of beauty and tranquillity; the

contemporary version of Blake’s ‘dark satanic mills’; another contemporary version of Blake’s ‘dark satanic mills’; another enclosure/privatisation of the commonsenclosure/privatisation of the commons

•Foreignness and alien nature of wind farms:Foreignness and alien nature of wind farms:– ‘‘they don’t belong or fit in here’; a Danish invention transplanted to they don’t belong or fit in here’; a Danish invention transplanted to

another place.another place.– Examples of anti-colonial discourse (Scotland being ‘cleared’ and Examples of anti-colonial discourse (Scotland being ‘cleared’ and

sacrificed for energy users in South of England)sacrificed for energy users in South of England)

•Denial of NIMBY label, not ‘ignorant locals’ or Denial of NIMBY label, not ‘ignorant locals’ or ignoring climate changeignoring climate change

Opposition Discourse ThemesOpposition Discourse Themes

•Sceptical of ‘non-local forces’ of state and Sceptical of ‘non-local forces’ of state and business, with information aimed at distorting business, with information aimed at distorting reality. reality.

•Questioning viability of wind farms:Questioning viability of wind farms:– Intermittency; reliant on public subsidy Intermittency; reliant on public subsidy

•Wind farms as ‘polluting’ undermining the Wind farms as ‘polluting’ undermining the association of wind energy with ‘naturalness’ association of wind energy with ‘naturalness’

•Exaggeration or Emphasis: Exaggeration or Emphasis: – Translation of metres into feet; using the upper level of proposed Translation of metres into feet; using the upper level of proposed

turbines ’50-85’ becomes ’up to 85’; turbines ’50-85’ becomes ’up to 85’; • ‘‘Trinities’:Trinities’:

– Wind farms as threat to eye, ear and body or land, air and seaWind farms as threat to eye, ear and body or land, air and sea– despoiling the present, insult to past and little contribution to the future.despoiling the present, insult to past and little contribution to the future.

Supporter Discourse ThemesSupporter Discourse Themes

• Rational, knowledge-based, scientific: Rational, knowledge-based, scientific: – assumption of consensus/agreement about climate change; ‘non-assumption of consensus/agreement about climate change; ‘non-

negotiable element of future energy use in Northern Ireland’negotiable element of future energy use in Northern Ireland’– appealing to existing evidence base for research base that proves appealing to existing evidence base for research base that proves

arguments on noise, visual impact and house prices.arguments on noise, visual impact and house prices.

• Emphasises rigour of site selection:Emphasises rigour of site selection:– feasibility studies; impact assessments; community consultation; feasibility studies; impact assessments; community consultation;

robust regulatory frameworkrobust regulatory framework..

• Partnership:Partnership:– between government, developers, local community and other between government, developers, local community and other

stakeholders; in NI cross party and cross border cooperation; ‘win-stakeholders; in NI cross party and cross border cooperation; ‘win-win’ approaches. win’ approaches.

• More education will overcome local oppositionMore education will overcome local opposition

•Landscape and visual impacts are important, but Landscape and visual impacts are important, but difficult to integrate aesthetics with broader difficult to integrate aesthetics with broader approach of objectivity. approach of objectivity.

•Resistance to wind farms may be because Resistance to wind farms may be because communities aren’t used to them.communities aren’t used to them.

•Support is expression of virtue:Support is expression of virtue:– The common good; concern for future generations; climate change; The common good; concern for future generations; climate change;

energy security and peace; ‘one planet living/global justice’.energy security and peace; ‘one planet living/global justice’.

•Opposition viewed as ‘old-fashioned’ and Opposition viewed as ‘old-fashioned’ and unwillingness to ‘get with the programme’ unwillingness to ‘get with the programme’ regarding the need to develop wind energyregarding the need to develop wind energy

•Wind as a business opportunity.Wind as a business opportunity.

Supporter Discourse ThemesSupporter Discourse Themes

Researching Objection: Values, Researching Objection: Values, Opinion and MeaningOpinion and Meaning

•Wind farms supported by ‘emissaries’ from wider Wind farms supported by ‘emissaries’ from wider contexts;contexts;– CO2 targets; EU directives; global climate change; international treaties; CO2 targets; EU directives; global climate change; international treaties;

•Sense of urgency:Sense of urgency:– act now for future benefits,act now for future benefits,– ‘‘small window of opportunity’ for UK to develop international leadership.small window of opportunity’ for UK to develop international leadership.

•Sense of threat:Sense of threat:– Climate change a bigger threat than global terrorismClimate change a bigger threat than global terrorism ..

•Despite this often no sense of panic:Despite this often no sense of panic:– ““Climate change is a problem but we’re working on it and more needs to Climate change is a problem but we’re working on it and more needs to

be done”be done”

Supporter Discourse Supporter Discourse ThemesThemes

The Information WarThe Information War

•The Opinion PollThe Opinion Poll•Review of surveysReview of surveys•Knowledge, Consumerism & Knowledge, Consumerism & the implications of a poor dietthe implications of a poor diet•Predict/Provide – Predict/Provide – •Announce/DefendAnnounce/Defend

“100% of people in Greater Manchester believe wind farms are a waste of money, the Government are all liars and we should build more nukes” ‘Research and Poll conducted in my local boozer when there were 2 people in’. (BBC – web based survey)

Values, Opinions and MeaningValues, Opinions and Meaning

•Criticisms of PollsCriticisms of Polls

•The Belief Action The Belief Action GapGap

•Do attitudes predict Do attitudes predict environmental environmental

behaviours?behaviours?

•Human Human UnderstandingUnderstanding

•The role of valuesThe role of values

“another thing which doesn’t help is the consortiums or consortia going off and commissioning surveys in Scotland that find that 80% of people asked think windfarms are actually quite pretty and then coming back and beating people over the head with that, I mean that’s just, again that’s just plain stupid”

Q-Methodology OverviewQ-Methodology Overview

• Investigating subjectivityInvestigating subjectivity

• A bridge between quantitative and A bridge between quantitative and qualitative research methodsqualitative research methods

• Linking with Cognitive Associative Network Linking with Cognitive Associative Network MappingMapping

• Walk through of the methodology as used on Walk through of the methodology as used on the Tunes Plateau Case Studythe Tunes Plateau Case Study

“The hallmark of Q methodology is that it takes the subjective, self-referential opinions of respondents seriously in seeking to model the whole subject as he or she apprehends a particular situation” Dryzek

Q+CAN MethodologyQ+CAN MethodologyIdentify Research Topic

Literature Review

Identify Interviewees

Conduct Interviews

Conduct Q-SortsPostal / F2F

Web / Group

Hold Focus Groups

Compile Results

Analysis

ValueElements

Collect Q-Sorts

Run Q-Analysis

Preliminary Results

Q -Statements

Disseminate / Evaluate

Loop 1

Loop 2

Snowball Technique

CAN Map

Non-Value Elements

Loop 3

Tunnes

Governance

PlanningBio-

Diversity

Supply

Economics

CZM

Climate Change

Amenity

Foot-Print

Infra-structure

Can affect radar, mobile phones, radio communications, sonar, television signals

Restrict the size of vessels using the Foyle estuary and affect ferry services

Wind industry is heavily subsidised which distorts the real costs

People are taxed to pay for wind

More should be done to stop existing emissions

Location

Tunes Plateau – an invention

Windmills 60 – 80m high, 600m apart 5km off shoreUncertainty over number of turbines

Be visible from Shrove, Greencastle to Castlerock, Portrushand Giants Causeway

Visual pollution

Will cause drop in tourist numbers

May destroy blue flag beaches

Negatively affect shipping routes

Prohibit trawling and net fishing industries

May provide nursery reefs for fish and protected area

Noise pollution

May cause turbulence and wind damage

Affect the movement of the sands and the formation of the Tunns

Cause sands to move away from the spit

Effects are unknown

Disrupt bird migration paths (Whooper Swans)

Affect fish migration (Salmon & Eels)

Blades may kill birds

Will need landfall station somewhere

No power stations will close

Navigation lights at night

Concerns over the procurement process and how B9 awarded contract

Undemocratic that Gov Dept can press ahead without Assembly debate

May affect future development associated with Derry Airport by restricting flight paths

Dispute over ownership of the seabed

Local people will pay for this through their taxes, high electricity costs and loss of natural resources

Land use planning procedures do not apply at sea and siting offshore is a way to circumnavigate due process

This process is being driven by Kyoto which lacks credibility since the US has not signed up

This is more about reaching EC quotas on carbon than a properly thought out process

Local Benefits

If the turbines are going to be made at H&W it should be clearly stated how much benefit it will bring

Supply is intermittent and unpredictable

Will not be able to adjust to peak demand times

The technology does not exist to store the power effectively

Culture

Mythological importance of the Tunns

Red sails in the Sunset

The Irish citizens will receive no benefits and are not included in the decision making process

Offshore windfarms still need pylons and infrastructure once they come ashore

Local people will not benefit from cheaper electricity

If the developers provide some form of local benefits that may be seen as a bride

People have no choice but to object loudly as silence is seen as acceptance

Planning service does not have the legislation to cover this development

The benefits to climate change of this project will be negated by the environmental damage it causes

There are other sites which have less intrinsic value

B9 did not have alternative sites to consider

This is about making money for corporations not saving the environment

Climate change is a fact exasperated by human activity that needs urgently to be addressed

Wind farms are part of a combined strategy to combat climate change

There is no application because this process is a feasibility study – it is about finding out the whole story

All the impacts will be assessed and mitigated for

There is no trustworthy process to assess impacts that is not influenced by the developer

Climate change will destroy the area more permanently than a few wind turbines

Turbines are temporary structures for 25 years which will be removed

Money invested in the wind industry is used to develop more effective technologies

We all live in a capitalist economy

Conventional power supplies will run out and we need new technologies to deliver power

Conventional power stations are also subsidised by taxes

Conventional power stations are very inefficient

Conventional power generation and fuel use drives climate change and should be changed

Modern turbines are less intrusive

Jobs will be created

Tourists will not be put off

The generating technology chooses the location, there are limits to what can be achieved

Drift net fishing for salmon has been banned by the EU and turbines may provide habitats suitable for rod and line fishing

Large exclusion zone around turbines for small vessels on traditional fishing grounds

Wave and tidal power would be less intrusive and more reliable

Some of the companies behind the project are big polluters and involved in nuclear industry

Decision should delayed until C Z Management Strategy is implemented

Q-Methodological ProcessQ-Methodological Process

Attaching meaning, the meaning of terms

Making facts, questions of fact

The worth of something that does /could exist

Something that should /should not exist

Asking a question

Predicting an outcome

Definitive Designative Evaluative Advocative Questioning Predictive

A B C D E F

Renewable Energy

1 4 31 11 14

Wind Power 2 1 28 7 13 3

Local Impacts 3 2 77 44 14 2 1

Governance 4 115 53 37 1

• Defining the statements – 457 taken from Defining the statements – 457 taken from interviews and media reviewinterviews and media review

• Broken down and coded Broken down and coded

+4+4 +3+3 +2+2+1+1 00 -1-1 -2-2 -3-3 -4-4

+ 4 comment+ 4 comment

+ 4 comment+ 4 comment

INSTRUCTIONS

Please follow the next 5 steps:

1. Please check that you have all the pieces to complete this exercise. This should include:

Envelope A, which contains 50 self adhesive labels with a statement printed on each one Envelope B – a stamp-addressed return envelope.

If any of these are missing please call the researcher ______________on Tel:

2. Please put this large Sorting Sheet on a clear table in front of you. Empty Envelope A, so that the 50 statements printed on self adhesive labels are all on the sheet and turn each one over so you can see what is written it.

3. Sort the 50 statements into three piles representing those that are most relevant to you, those that are least relevant and those that you feel neutral or uncertain about.

5. Take each of the piles of statements in turn and try and place them on to the Sorting Sheet within the boxes provided until all the boxes are covered. It may take a little time until you are happy with the way you have sorted them. Once you have done this, you will have all the statements lying within the grid on the Sorting Sheet.

DO NOT PLACE STATEMENTS OUTSIDE THE BOXES – (1 statement per box) this exercise is about making choices, so please follow the guidelines.

Any deviations or a failure to insert one statement into each box will render the information invalid.

6. It is very important that you then stick each statement onto the sheet in your chosen box

7. Once you have completed the sorting of the statements, it would be very helpful if you could provide a few thoughts on the statements which you ranked +4 and -4. Please enter your comments into the four panels on the right labelled ‘+4 or -4 comment’

8. Please tick one of the following boxes and clearly sign you name*

I would consider myself

Strongly Mildly Undecided Mildly Strongly Opposed Opposed Supportive Supportive

towards this proposal ___________________________________________

Signed: Print Name:

* For administrative purposes only, no personal details will be passed on to third parties and no attributable quotations will be used without seeking prior written consent

9. Please return this sheet in the envelope provided

Many thanks for your contribution to this research

- 4 comment- 4 comment

- 4 comment- 4 comment

© Geraint Ellis & Clive Robinson QUB 2005

Do not copy or re-distribute without the permission of the AuthorsSorting Sheet

Sort DataSort Data

Supporters Supporters Completed sorts paperCompleted sorts paper 3232

Completed sorts emailCompleted sorts email 11

spoiltspoilt 11

Non returns Non returns 11

Sub totalSub total 3535

ObjectorsObjectors Completed sorts paperCompleted sorts paper 1919

Completed sorts emailCompleted sorts email 11

spoiltspoilt 33

Non returnsNon returns 88

Presumed objectors who responded as Presumed objectors who responded as supporterssupporters

44

Sub totalSub total 3535

NeutralNeutral Completed sorts emailCompleted sorts email 11

totaltotal 7171

“As an intensive method, Q methodology requires a small number of well selected subjects to complete the Q-Sort, which is a sample of the communications about the topic of interest” Brown et al

New insights into objection and New insights into objection and support for wind energysupport for wind energy

Idealised Supporter DiscoursesIdealised Supporter Discourses

•Rationalising Globally - Sacrificing Locally:Rationalising Globally - Sacrificing Locally:Deeply concerned about climate change and energy security, suggests Deeply concerned about climate change and energy security, suggests that addressing these challenges should override any local impacts. that addressing these challenges should override any local impacts.

•Local Pastoralist – Developer ScepticLocal Pastoralist – Developer ScepticA more traditional, pastoral view of the environment, unhappy about A more traditional, pastoral view of the environment, unhappy about potential impacts on the North Coast. Offers reluctant support in the potential impacts on the North Coast. Offers reluctant support in the recognition of the need for more sustainable energyrecognition of the need for more sustainable energy ..

•Embrace WindEmbrace WindVery strong belief in wind power, future-orientated and uncritical of the Very strong belief in wind power, future-orientated and uncritical of the proposal and wind farms developers. proposal and wind farms developers.

•Site Specific Supporter – Energy PragmatistSite Specific Supporter – Energy PragmatistHigh level of concern with energy issues, a more pragmatic outlook, High level of concern with energy issues, a more pragmatic outlook, resulting in site-specific support for the Tunes Plateau scheme.resulting in site-specific support for the Tunes Plateau scheme.

Consensus and Disagreement: Consensus and Disagreement: SupportersSupporters

•Consensus:Consensus:– High awareness and strong motivation around climate change.High awareness and strong motivation around climate change.– Strong belief that NI should do its bit and that offshore wind farm is Strong belief that NI should do its bit and that offshore wind farm is

part of this strategy. part of this strategy. – Disparaging of objectors outlooks.Disparaging of objectors outlooks.

•Disagreement:Disagreement:– Some believe climate change overrides other concerns, some more Some believe climate change overrides other concerns, some more

open to compromise.open to compromise.– Most think developers acting in good faith – some have concerns over Most think developers acting in good faith – some have concerns over

their motivation.their motivation.– Different conceptualisation of the environment and environmentalism.Different conceptualisation of the environment and environmentalism.– Difference of opinion on appropriate scale of wind farms.Difference of opinion on appropriate scale of wind farms.

Idealised Objector DiscoursesIdealised Objector Discourses

•Anti-Wind Power - Local ResisterAnti-Wind Power - Local ResisterDeeply sceptical of the concept of wind power, shows confidence that Deeply sceptical of the concept of wind power, shows confidence that the project can be resisted through local activism. the project can be resisted through local activism.

•Wind Power-Supporter - Siting SheriffWind Power-Supporter - Siting SheriffOffers support to the concept of wind power but expresses major site-Offers support to the concept of wind power but expresses major site-specific concerns related to the Tunes Plateau proposal.specific concerns related to the Tunes Plateau proposal.

•Anti-Developer – Local PragmatistAnti-Developer – Local PragmatistDeep suspicion of wind farm developers, less concerned about “big” Deep suspicion of wind farm developers, less concerned about “big” issues like climate change, most motivated by the potential of tangible issues like climate change, most motivated by the potential of tangible local impacts, such as the loss of jobs. local impacts, such as the loss of jobs.

•Economic Sceptic- Siting CompromiserEconomic Sceptic- Siting CompromiserMost concerned with shorter term, impacts of the proposed scheme, Most concerned with shorter term, impacts of the proposed scheme, willing to consider other siting option as and applies a more reasoned, willing to consider other siting option as and applies a more reasoned, economic rationale to evaluating wind power.economic rationale to evaluating wind power.

Consensus and Disagreement: Consensus and Disagreement: ObjectorsObjectors•Consensus:Consensus:

– Most support idea of renewable energy and distance themselves from Most support idea of renewable energy and distance themselves from climate change deniers.climate change deniers.

– Most see objection as a matter of principle and not open to Most see objection as a matter of principle and not open to compromise.compromise.

– Most recognise the need for vocal opposition to overcome assumed Most recognise the need for vocal opposition to overcome assumed pro-development mainstream.pro-development mainstream.

– All feel strongly about visual quality of coast and not worth sacrifice All feel strongly about visual quality of coast and not worth sacrifice for wind power.for wind power.

– Poor perception of developers.Poor perception of developers.

•Disagreement:Disagreement:– Difference on basis of objection – some concerned about specific Difference on basis of objection – some concerned about specific

scheme, some about wind power itself.scheme, some about wind power itself.– While all hold concerns over visual quality, some have wider concerns While all hold concerns over visual quality, some have wider concerns

such as economic impacts.such as economic impacts.– Some focused on long term impacts, some on immediate effects.Some focused on long term impacts, some on immediate effects.– Some are sensitive to how objectors are perceived by others, some Some are sensitive to how objectors are perceived by others, some

not.not.– Difference in the faith they have in the authorisation process. Difference in the faith they have in the authorisation process.

Supporter-Objector Supporter-Objector ComparisonsComparisons

•Consensus:Consensus:– Concern and awareness over climate change.Concern and awareness over climate change.– All value seascape –differences in how turbines impact on this.All value seascape –differences in how turbines impact on this.– Scale of proposal is an important consideration.Scale of proposal is an important consideration.– Lack of recognition that both sides of the argument engaged in Lack of recognition that both sides of the argument engaged in

propaganda.propaganda.– Agreement that some issues are not that important to debate Agreement that some issues are not that important to debate

– veracity of impact studies, democratic credentials of – veracity of impact studies, democratic credentials of authorisation process.authorisation process.

•Disagreement:Disagreement:– Visual quality vs. action on climate change.Visual quality vs. action on climate change.– Value of wind power and place in energy mix.Value of wind power and place in energy mix.– Use of ratepayers money to fund campaign of opposition.Use of ratepayers money to fund campaign of opposition.– Disagreement on sincerity of developers.Disagreement on sincerity of developers.

ImplicationsImplications

Implications: Understanding Implications: Understanding Environmental DisputesEnvironmental Disputes

• The nature of participation and discursive The nature of participation and discursive policy debate.policy debate.

• Failure to appreciate the nature and value of Failure to appreciate the nature and value of objection and critical debate.objection and critical debate.

• Parity required of the social, as well as Parity required of the social, as well as environmental dimension to sustainability.environmental dimension to sustainability.

• The importance of tone and manner of The importance of tone and manner of stakeholder debate. stakeholder debate.

• Centrality of establishing trust early onCentrality of establishing trust early on• Encourage greater community ‘buy in’ and Encourage greater community ‘buy in’ and

ownership in the project rather than post-hoc ownership in the project rather than post-hoc ‘compensation’ – community centres etc.‘compensation’ – community centres etc.

Implications: New approaches to Implications: New approaches to renewable energyrenewable energy

• Ignorance is not a cause of objection – and Ignorance is not a cause of objection – and cannot be overcome by “awareness–raising”.cannot be overcome by “awareness–raising”.

• Integrating subjectivity and appreciation of Integrating subjectivity and appreciation of values into the participatory process can help values into the participatory process can help communication and target participation.communication and target participation.

•Recognising the virtues of objection and using it Recognising the virtues of objection and using it as a positive attribute.as a positive attribute.

•Clarification of preferences and priorities can Clarification of preferences and priorities can enhance discussion.enhance discussion.

•The development of new tools of to support The development of new tools of to support decision making: Q-method, citizen juries, decision making: Q-method, citizen juries, downstream engagement, recognising human downstream engagement, recognising human values in SEA/EIA . values in SEA/EIA .

•The absence of trusted umpires/facilitators.The absence of trusted umpires/facilitators.

Implications: Implications: Offshore wind projectsOffshore wind projects

•Attracted more opposition in NI than onshore Attracted more opposition in NI than onshore schemesschemes

•Tunes plateau the first and therefore subject to Tunes plateau the first and therefore subject to ‘first mover’ downsides‘first mover’ downsides

•Concerns over the authorisation process that Concerns over the authorisation process that include:include:– The role of government as promoter and regulator of the scheme.The role of government as promoter and regulator of the scheme.– Lack of clarity of process compared to onshore planning Lack of clarity of process compared to onshore planning

regulation.regulation.– The nature of participation. The nature of participation.

Final thoughtsFinal thoughts

•Future expansion of renewables and other Future expansion of renewables and other new sustainable technologies depends on new sustainable technologies depends on greater public acceptance.greater public acceptance.

•Consensus is a naive aspiration – but striving Consensus is a naive aspiration – but striving for negotiated for negotiated settlementsettlement may have value. may have value.

•There is a need for a paradigm shift in There is a need for a paradigm shift in participation: accommodating objectivity but participation: accommodating objectivity but acknowledging subjectivity. acknowledging subjectivity.

•Future aspiration to test findings in a more Future aspiration to test findings in a more practice-orientated context. practice-orientated context.