Acceptance of wind energy plants -

1. Acceptance of wind energy plants - A psychological approach towards the acceptance of wind energy plants Jan Zoellner Department of Psychology Research Group Environmental Psychology Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg

2. “Public acceptance of renewable energy systems and socioscientific questions” Research project promoted by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conversation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) concerning the social issues of power generation by • Wind energy utilisation (On-Shore) • PV solar energy utilisation (ground-installed systems) • Biomass utilisation

3. Research aims • Detailed understanding of actual degrees of acceptance and their determinants • Systematisation of relevant influence factors to the formation process of public acceptance • Regarding possible differences between different regions in perception and evaluation • Developing a standardised questionnaire • Outlining of recommendations of possible conflict solution strategies

4. Method • Multi-methodological approach • Different regions, case studies • Expert interviews, process analysis • Quantitative polls • „Action research“

5. Method • Research in literature and other media • Consideration the main arguments in wind turbines based conflicts • Systematisation of conflict contents and building up links to basic psychological research and theories

6. Main Arguments in Current Wind Debates (pros) • Reduction of CO2 emissions • use of „clean“ energy • independence from fossil fuels and nuclear energy • creation of new jobs • increasing export profits • becoming technological market leader in this branch

7. Main Arguments in Current Wind Debates (cons) • negative impacts on the natural scenery • potential risks for nature (e.g. for the avifauna) • negative economical balance, electricity would become more expensive • risks caused by less reliability for the power grid and energy supply • negative impacts on the quality of life for residents

8. Acceptance of wind energy: possible influencing variables Justice (procedural & distributive) Socio-economic data Influence of Media Reliability Risk Evaluation Economic Aspects Visual contact Energy Consciousness Acceptance of wind energy Interest Need for Nature Impacts on the affective system Environmental Consciousness Behaviour (conativ) Landscape Evaluation (cognitive) Perception of political measures

11. Conflicting interests • Wind energy as a topic of actual socio-political relevance • Strong promotion by Federal Government • Public polls show a support of wind energy in principle • On local levels citizens’ initiatives formed up global aims c o n f l i c t local needs

12. Social Psychological Approaches • Attitude research • Three-component models (e.g. Rosenberg & Hovland, 1960) • Social Justice Theory • Distributive and procedural justice (e.g. Adams, 1965; Tyler, 1980, ; Leventhal, 1980) • Risk evaluation • Perception and disposition (e.g. Günther, 1998) • Influence of the media • Agenda-setting theory (e.g. McCombs & Shaw, 1972)

13. Environmental Psychological Approaches • Human-Environment-Interaction • Transactionalistic approach (e.g. Ittelson, 1974) • Perception of natural scenery • Aesthetical needs (e.g. Hellbrück, 1999) • Local Identity • Mental representations of homeland (e.g. Haubl, 1998) • Environmental awareness • Sensibility for changes in climate (e.g. Kuckartz, 1998)

14. Questionnaire construction • Based on the theoretical background • Developing several quantitative scales for measuring relevant aspects, five-step answer structure • Conative Items: concrete behaviour and behaviour intention • Choice of interesting regions for contrasting scientific research concerning the wind energy utilisation • Open questions to get qualitative data

15. Sample Items 1 Energy related topics are counted among the biggest problems in our society. To guarantee energy generation in future, the use of renewable energies is mandatory. In the long run, wind energy plants are financially favourable electricity generators. Because of wind energy, electricity will become more expensive. There are too many wind energy plants already. Wind energy plants disfigure the landscape.

16. Sample Items 2 My quality of life is restricted because of wind energy plants. I feel constricted because of the sight of wind energy plants. Local authorities conduct the planning of wind energy plants in an fair manner. I would like to have a bigger say in the planning procedures.  I am financially involved in a wind energy plant project. I support demonstrations against wind energy plants. I try to persuade my friends to the benefits of wind energy.

17. „I support wind energy as a matter of principle“ Statement is... ..entirely incorrect 9,3% ..entirely correct ..rather incorrect 9,3% 29,2% 15,1% ..I am undecided 67,3% 37,1% ..partially correct

18. Results 1aCorrelation of the scales **. Correlation is on the level of 0.01 (2-tailed) significant ( Pearson) *. Correlation is on the level of 0.05 (2-tailed) significant ( Pearson)

19. Results 1bCorrelation of the scales **. Correlation is on the level of 0.01 (2-tailed) significant ( Pearson) *. Correlation is on the level of 0.05 (2-tailed) significant ( Pearson)

20. Results 2aMean differences between the counties

21. Results 2bMean differences between the counties

22. Perception of political measures • Based on qualitative and quantitave data • General attitude towards politics • Media reports • On global and local level • Low degree of information • Low degree of knowledge • Diffuse/unclear imaginations about the topic and the involved actors, laws etc

23. Perception of political measures • Connection between global and local level through corresponding actors • Perceived justice during the implementation process (local authorities) • Presentation of operating companies on site • Association between the object „RES“ and politics: image, trust… • Impact on „overall evaluation“ – support/rejection

24. Perception of political measures • residents criticise that their interests are not represented by local politicians, particularly when compared to economic interests • concerning the assumed motivation of wind energy plants operators, profit seeking and economic interests were named instead of environmental ambitions • politicians and operators are condemned as untrustworthy and considered "a coalition of the mighty“ • More "correct" and objective information from an independent institution is requested

25. „Local authorithies conduct the planning of wind energy plants in a fair manner.“ % 14%

26. „Conflicts in the planning stage are solved to the satisfaction of all.“ % 11%

27. „In the planning and implementation stages, all interests of citizens are taken into account.“ % 66,3% 13%

28. „I would like to have a bigger say in the planning procedures.“ 64% %

29. „I would like more information by the media“ 65% %

30. Discussion • Importance of justice in context of wind energy in general could be shown • Distributive as well as procedural justice are relevant parameters • Information as a first step or “basic level” of justice and participation • Role of broad and accurate information on local level in early stages of planning processes

31. Discussion • Social processes are important factors to the formation of public acceptance • Emphasising of regarding the social framework in which wind energy is embedded (residents want to have a say) • Incentives or compensations (financial or concerning the landscape) might improve distributive justice • Individuals as well as regions should benefit from wind energy