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Beyond cost and carbon: the multidimensional co-benefits of low carbon transitions in Europe
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 19:36 authored by Benjamin SovacoolBenjamin Sovacool, Mari MartiskainenMari Martiskainen, Andrew HookAndrew Hook, Lucy BakerThe paper explores the myriad potential benefits of four low-carbon transitions beyond those in the environmental or economic domain. Drawn from a rich set of original mixed methods data—across expert interviews, focus groups, and public internet forums—we examine the presumed multidimensional, qualitative co-benefits to nuclear power in France, solar photovoltaics in Germany, electric vehicles in Norway, and smart meters in Great Britain. We catalogue 128 identified prospective co-benefits to these four European low-carbon transitions, 30 for nuclear power, 30 for solar photovoltaic panels, 26 for electric vehicles and 42 for smart meters. Tellingly, 37 of these collective benefits are identified as economic and 14 environmental, but the remaining ones illustrate a broader spectrum of technical benefits (31 in total), social benefits (30 in total) and political benefits (16 in total). After presenting this body of evidence, the paper then discusses these benefits more deeply in terms of complementarity, temporality, scale, actors, and incumbency. We conclude with insights for energy and climate research and policy more broadly.
Funding
INNOPATHS -Managing Technology Transition; G2118; EUROPEAN UNION; 730403
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
Ecological EconomicsISSN
0921-8009Publisher
ElsevierExternal DOI
Volume
169Article number
a106529Department affiliated with
- SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2019-11-12First Open Access (FOA) Date
2020-11-21First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2019-11-11Usage metrics
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