The Social Acceptance of Wind Energy: Where we stand and the path ahead

Social acceptance is a key challenge for the deployment of wind energy and could limit the overall wind resource we are able to exploit to meet climate change targets. Social acceptance can be influenced by a very wide range of factors, including project characteristics, perception of the distribution of costs and benefits, degree of public participation. Perceived impacts of projects on landscapes, property values, health and biodiversity also influence social acceptance. This complexity means that acceptance cannot be addressed through simple fixes such as community benefit funds or just more consultation, but we need a far more fundamental reform of how energy systems engage with communities and citizens.JRC.G.10-Knowledge for Nuclear Security and Safet