Ecological Modernization & Wind Power in the UK

1. Ecological Modernization & Wind Power in the UK Dr Peter A Strachan & Dr Dave Toke

2. Plan • Research Questions • Ecological Modernisation (EM) Principles • Christoff (1996) Types of EM • ‘Ecological Modernisation, ecological modernities’ Environmental Politics 5(3): 476-500 • New Labour, EM & Wind Power • Conclusions

3. Research Questions • To what extent does the UK’s wind power programme follow either ‘weak’ or ‘strong’ EM strategies? • To what extent might Christoff (1996) be right in asserting that a ‘strong’ EM strategy is necessary?

4. EM Principles • Economic & environmental objectives can be simultaneously achieved • Economic development & ecological protection are both desirable • The ‘polluter pays’ principle • A holistic approach to problem solving • Focus on the market and government intervention • Nations need to adopt ecologically sustainable policies Toke (2002) Ecological Modernisation and GM Food Environmental Politics 11(3): 145-163

5. Christoff (1996) & Strong EM • EM should strive to reduce the consumption of material resources • ‘Strong’ EM that is more internationalist in orientation • EM as less elitist and more responsive to ‘bottom-up’ initiatives • EM should embrace a diversity of paths to sustainability and not one that relies on Eurocentric prejudices

6. Weak EM Economistic Technological (narrow) Instrumental Technocratic/neo-corporatist/closed National Unitary (hegemonic) Strong EM Ecological Institutional/systemic Communicative Deliberative democratic/open International Diversifying Types of EM

7. Synopsis Christoff argues that dominant practices need to be challenged, leading to: ‘the sorts of embedded cultural transformation which could sustain substantial reductions in material consumption levels, significant and rapid structural transformations in industrialized countries, and major international redistributions of wealth and technological capacity’

8. New Labour, EM & Climate Policy • Since the election of New Labour there has been a flurry of policy documents implicitly utilising the concepts and language of EM • There has been an increasing use of EM vocabulary in UK climate policy and related debates and this has been accompanied by the use of NEPIs • The British Renewable Obligation (RO) is one good example of this

9. Characteristics of Wind Power Deployment in the UK • The government has agreed objectives for environmental protection, which are supported by mainstream environmental groups • Objectives are pursued through consensus –reaching discussions between key, nationally based, interest groups • Implementation occurs through ‘top-down’ measures, which do little to involve local people, but involve ownership by major business corporations

10. The incorporation of wind power into existing industrial structures and modes of operation • The pursuit of targets for renewable energy deployment through mechanisms designed to maximise economic competitiveness • The prioritisation of renewable deployment over and above a focus on energy efficiency demonstrates a productionist, pro-conventional, industrial orientation.

11. Conclusion • EM provides an effective framework for analysing UK climate policy and wind power deployment • Christoff’s notion of ‘weak’ EM theory provides an accurate description of the UK Government’s approach to wind power • Recent evidence suggests that techniques associated with what might be called ‘strong’ EM might further aid sustainability objectives • e.g. planning problems may be reduced through greater local ownership