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Stories of local opposition to renewable energy projects are very recognisable narratives – the idea of ‘not in my backyard’ is one that drives the discourse around many community initiatives. But it doesn’t always stand up to scrutiny, and misperceptions around public opinion abound.
Stories of local opposition to renewable energy projects are very recognisable narratives – the idea of ‘Not In My Backyard’ (NIMBY-ism) is one that drives the discourse around many community initiatives.
But it doesn’t always stand up to scrutiny, and misperceptions around public opinion abound.
Polling of rural voters by Public First for the centre-right think tank Onward found that the majority, across all political divides, supported (rather than opposed) a solar farm three miles from their home. A survey by Britain Remade found that although there was a drop in support for local wind and solar versus support ‘in general’, the drop was only around 10%. Our own Climate Barometer tracker data backs this up, with local solar and wind farms favoured much more than fossil fuel developments (drilling or mining).
Wider research shows how supportive people are of solar in its various guises: for example, more people are in favour (48%) of installing solar panels on historic buildings, if not visible from the ground, than oppose it (27%). 68% would be embarrassed by their MP if they were campaigning to prevent a solar park being built in their area, and 73% strongly support or somewhat support creating publicly owned renewable energy (solar, as well as wind and wave/tidal energy).
Not only that, accounts of local concern and uncertainty around new or hypothetical clean energy projects may not stick around once projects are completed. Polling by Censuswide and Copper Consultancy, reported by The Times, finds that solar farms increase in popularity after they are built (62% strongly support) compared with when they are in development (17% strongly support). Living near pre-existing clean energy infrastructure doesn’t seem to affect support for future clean energy projects in a negative way. In fact, those who live near clean energy projects are more likely to support than oppose more of it.
People also tend to overestimate the level of opposition to clean energy – a theme throughout the Renewables topic thread and explored in depth in Perception Gaps. Climate Barometer tracker data shows this trend is even more pronounced among MPs: only 18% believe that in their constituency more would support than oppose a new wind farm, and MPs overall overestimate public opposition (at 45%, compared with the actual figure of 28%).
The new Labour government has brought its plans for a publicly owned energy company, Great British Energy, to parliament.
The Great British Energy Bill was formally introduced to the House of Commons on the 25th of July, and the bill is expected to pass through its second stage in early September.
Following a long-standing commitment to base the energy company in Scotland, Labour have since announced GB Energy will be headquartered in Aberdeen.
If Labour wants to move fast and build things, it’s time to stop the name calling
Taking on the NIMBYs. Beating the blockers. The end goal is commendable, but is this how UK voters would like to be described?
(This commentary has been adapted from a published opinion article in Politics.co.uk)