Fair Energy Transition for All (FETA) – How do we achieve a socially just energy transition?
The FETA project contributes to a socially fair energy transition, by ensuring vulnerable groups are listened to and included into the energy transition. The Yellow Vests’ demonstrations in 2018 in Paris as a reaction to the rising energy taxes, proves that the EU is bad at considering all citizens, and thus create broad public support for the green agenda. In a time where economic inequality and living costs are rising, and energy poverty is becoming a reality for many, how do we reach out to the remote corners of society to make sure their voices and inputs are included into policymaking before politicians go through with radical reforms that potentially deepens inequality?
Represented debate and result
The FETA project listens to the unheard voices of Europe, that are not represented in the public debate today. The project takes point of departure in their experiences, opinions, needs and concerns to develop solutions for and with them. The Project has taken place in 9 European countries, and included more than 900 vulnerable European citizens, as well as 150 experts.
Around Europe Citizens’ Assemblies have been held, where a representative segment of society is giving their input into how the energy transition should develop. Here the FETA project has a different approach as the focus is on a diverse segment of citizens who in one way or another could be affected by the political decisions of the green energy transitions.
Therefor, we have in the spring of 2021 travelled around Denmark to conduct focus group interviews – 10 in total, with citizens who might get into a tight corner following the changes that the transition requires. This is everyone from the economically marginalized, the elderly, citizens with a handicap, and ethnic minorities, to residents of social housing, and citizens living very remotely – maybe even in proximity to windmills. Their inputs into what would make the transition fair and inclusive, has subsequently been processed by 10 Danish experts and translated into a set of political recommendations within the themes of energy, housing, and the climate-friendly life. In the summer of 2022, we have held the Fair Energy Forum, where the vulnerable citizens discussed, revised, and prioritized the recommendations, which led to the final 19 recommendations. These are available in the rapport attached.
The politicians are listening
An important part of the project has been the development and communication on the political suggestions and recommendations, both on a national and European level. The purpose of these is to ensure that the future policy development does not deepen social inequality or that single segments of society are not especially affected. They are both part of a national political process where the results are presented for Danish politicians of the Climate, Energy and Utility Committee, as well as a European Union political process where the results are presented to EU politicians and decision-makers.
Read more about the FETA project and fair energy transition here