Gooding, Luke Michael, Pateman, Rachel Mary orcid.org/0000-0002-2260-170X and West, Sarah Elizabeth orcid.org/0000-0002-2484-8124 (2024) Citizen science and its potential for aiding low carbon energy transitions. Energy Research and Social Science. 103702. ISSN 2214-6296
Abstract
Citizen science (CS) has emerged as a powerful approach to engage the public in scientific research across various domains. While it is documented that CS has made significant contributions to sustainability areas such as ecology, environmental science, and biology (Kullenberg and Kasperowski, 2016), the area of energy transition-related CS studies has yet to be documented in detail. This study reviews existing CS projects related to energy transitions, examining their approaches, methodologies, activities, and challenges. It identifies contributions of case studies to showcase the diverse ways CS has been applied to address energy transition challenges. There are four primary pathways through which CS supports low carbon energy transitions: problem identification and research agenda setting, resource mobilisation, advocacy for transition off fossil fuels and co-evolution of socio-technical aspects. CS empowers communities, fosters participatory approaches, and generates knowledge that informs decision-making processes, ultimately driving positive change towards sustainable and inclusive futures. CS has the potential to advance energy transitions and needs to expand its integration in energy-related research and initiatives. By involving citizens as active participants, CS not only democratises knowledge but also empowers individuals to shape the future of clean energy systems. Across the nine case study projects activities demonstrate a strong alignment with the diverse aspects required for a successful energy transition. What is more, in empowering communities and adopting participatory approaches, these CS projects generate essential knowledge that informs decision-making processes, thereby facilitating positive changes towards sustainable and inclusive futures. We suggest future routes for citizen action within the energy transition arena.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2024 The Authors. |
Keywords: | Citizen science,Energy transitions |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Stockholm Environment Institute at York (York) |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 16 Aug 2024 08:40 |
Last Modified: | 01 Nov 2024 04:00 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2024.103702 |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.erss.2024.103702 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:216179 |
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Description: Citizen science and its potential for aiding low carbon energy transitions
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