The Implementation of Public Participation in Renewable Energy Projects----A Comparative Study on the UK and China

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2 Business School The Implementation of Public Participation in Renewable Energy Projects----A Comparative Study on the UK and China Yankun Zhao Supervisors: Mr. Bill Butcher and Dr. Maria Balatbat

3 1. Structure Public participation and renewable energy project (REPs) relationship conflict structure Public participation in REPs in the EU (Denmark and the UK) Public participation in REPs in China Comparative study Conclusion similarities distinctions legislation implementation legislation implementation learn from the strengths and lessons The Aarhus Convention: based on the three pillars of the Aarhus Convention; information; at the international level and domestic level based decision-making; on the context; explores the administrative system; local authorities roles Access to participate in access to justice

4 1. Rationale

5 2. Obligations and tension Public participation (PP): The Aarhus Convention 1998 Green on Green - Charles R. Warren et al Renewable energy projects (REPs): Renewable Energy Directive % vs. 4.1%(2012)

6 2 public participation in decision making process Aarhus Convention: Who ; When ; How EU Directives: implementation discretion The UK: fail to satisfy the expectations

7 Who is the public Article 2 provides definitions The public: one or more natural or legal persons, and, in accordance with the public & the public concerned national legislation or practice, their associations, organizations or groups The NGOs public are concerned: classified into the public the scope affected of the or likely public to concerned be affected by, or having and interest in, the environmental decision-making; NGOs shall be deemed to have an interest. Article 6 confuses the public and the public concerned Article 6(3) & 6(7): the public Article 6(5) & 6(6): the public concerned

8 When should involve the public? Article 6 & Article 7 Early Appropriate

9 How to involve the public? No detailed rules on this problem; Only the AC Article 6(7) states the elements of There is no provision participation: Procedures for PP shall allow the explaining all of the above elements public to submit, in writing or, as appropriate, at a public hearing or inquiry with the application, any comments, information, analyses or opinions that it considers relevant to the proposed activity.

10 From the EU To the UK EU Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive 2011/92/EU: Public participation: early and effective; Article 5(5): discretion The UK EIA Regulations 2011 Consultation: before the final permission Planning Act 2008 Pre-application stage; Avoid long public inquires; bound to timetable

11 3. The Implementation of Public participation in REPs Public attitudes NIMBY; NIABY; YIMBY Public participation financial support & consultation

12 NIMBY(Not in My Back Yard) Self-interests?? No! insufficient RE knowledge consideration of local conditions distrust towards developers / decision-makers

13 Financial support 1. Tax relief / exemption 2. Subsidies 3. Grants Levying Climate Change taxation Levy( ) on REPs: ( e.g. Wyoming) RO 1. subsidies compensation will be ended to increase from April public acceptance 2. a higher price of electricity 4. Feed in Tariff (small-scale; tax free; 2010) 4. Reduce electricity price 5. Compensation

14 Different roles Consultation Planning Act 2008 consultation is an obligation in the application of large-scale REPs Acceptance Examination Decision Preapplication Preexamination Postdecision The application process Local authorities The National REPs Conveyers Interested partiesaffected stakeholders The local REPs Decision-makers Managers (From National infrastructure planning 2014)

15 Consultation with the public in NBWP Most cases NBWP(Navitus bay wind park) timing EIA report review Scoping stage period Limited participation time 4 rounds consultation process Ineffective delivering information Different approaches influence Limited influence A meaningful level of influence

16 Consultation results The distance from the shore Turbine range Maximum installed capacity Number of turbines Height of the turbine Area of seabed taken up

17 Pictures of NBWP

18 5. Conclusion Who: affected, interested, contributing public When: in all stages; and should in the scoping stage How: power of communication Real participation and economic interests

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