Events

As part of the Energy and Society Network's seminar series, the University of Edinburgh welcomes Professor Benjamin Sovacool to deliver a talk entitled: 'Contestation, contingency, and justice in the Nordic low-carbon energy transition.' The seminar will be on Wednesday 10^th May from 12.00 -13.30, in the 6^th Floor Staff Room of the Chrystal Macmillan Building.

Please register for tickets to the event via this link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/energy-and-society-network-seminar-professor-benjamin-sovacool-tickets-33544729188

The five Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden have aggressive climate and energy policies in place and have already emerged to be leaders in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Denmark is renowned for its pioneering use of wind energy, Finland and Sweden bioenergy, Norway hydroelectricity and Iceland geothermal energy.  All countries have robust carbon policies and aim to be "fossil free" by 2050. This study investigates the technological and policy pathways necessary for these five countries to achieve their low-carbon goals. It argues that a concerted effort must be made to (1) promote renewable forms of electricity and heating including bioenergy, wind energy, hydroelectricity, geothermal and solar; (2) shift to more sustainable forms of transport such as electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cells, and biofuel; (3) further improve the energy efficiency of residential and commercial buildings; and (4) adopt carbon capture and storage technologies for industry.  However, the section that follows emphasizes some of the empirical barriers the Nordic transition must confront, namely political contestation, technological contingency, and social justice concerns.  The study concludes with implications for what such historical progress, and future transition pathways, mean for both energy researchers and energy planners.

Professor Sovacool is a leading expert on energy policy, justice, security and sustainability. He currently serves as Director of the Sussex Energy Group and Director of the Center on Innovation and Energy Demand.