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Beyond cost and carbon: the multidimensional co-benefits of low carbon transitions in Europe

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posted on 2023-06-09, 19:36 authored by Benjamin SovacoolBenjamin Sovacool, Mari MartiskainenMari Martiskainen, Andrew HookAndrew Hook, Lucy Baker
The 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 Economics

ISSN

0921-8009

Publisher

Elsevier

Volume

169

Article number

a106529

Department affiliated with

  • SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2019-11-12

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2020-11-21

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2019-11-11

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