The new CAN report titled “Community Engagement and Fair Benefit Sharing of Renewable Energy Projects”, in which The Green Tank contributed, presents a guide aimed at strengthening the engagement of local communities in renewable energy projects.
The guide is addressing both companies and public authorities and includes 15 distinct indicators through which the engagement and fair benefit-sharing with local communities in renewable energy projects can be ensured. Additionally, the report presents 11 case studies from various countries, highlighting both positive and negative lessons learned.
Meaningful community engagement and fair distribution of benefits are essential prerequisites for a successful energy transition—one that requires a rapid shift away from fossil fuels towards a clean, renewable, and flexible energy system. Social acceptance of renewable energy projects can significantly contribute to their effective implementation.
Ensuring a just transition is also a key priority on the EU policy agenda, as reflected in major legislative initiatives such as the EU Green Deal and the revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED III). However, there is currently no framework that outlines the core principles and common standards for the active participation of local communities and the fair distribution of benefits.
This report underlines the need for such a framework. It proposes concrete criteria that companies can adopt to ensure community engagement, such as the number of stakeholders involved in shaping renewable energy projects and how many of their proposals were considered, the number and quality of consultations held, the creation of open-access online platforms for information and communication.
Furthermore, in terms of fair benefit sharing, the report highlights elements such as job creation, compensatory measures, and direct economic benefits for local communities.
Read the full report here: Community Engagement and Fair Benefit Sharing of Renewable Energy Projects.
