Public perception dynamics in renewable energy: theoretical framework and comparative insight

John A. Paravantis, Niκoletta Kontoulis and Giouli Mihalakakou

Chapter 1 in The Social Acceptance of Renewable Energy Projects, 2026, pp 2-28 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is central to sustainable development, yet its success hinges as much on social acceptance as on technological and economic feasibility. While renewable energy sources offer environmental and long-term economic benefits, their implementation often encounters social resistance. This chapter examines the multifaceted dimensions of public support for renewable energy projects, integrating established theoretical frameworks with an energy tribes perspective that captures the diverse worldviews shaping community responses to energy policy. Drawing on the triangle of social acceptance—sociopolitical, community, and market dimensions—and the continuum of environmental competence from awareness to action, the chapter reviews barriers to renewable energy adoption, including perceived environmental risks, procedural and distributive injustices, and top-down decision-making. Barriers to renewable energy projects, factors related to public perceptions, consequences of renewable energy investments, and measures to eliminate barriers are discussed. A comparative synthesis of case studies reveals how project ownership models (corporate, public, community, and religious), institutional trust, and the timing and quality of stakeholder participation interact to influence both willingness to pay and broader social acceptance. Community-led initiatives consistently demonstrate higher acceptance, driven by equitable benefit-sharing, transparency, and early, meaningful engagement. In contrast, enterprise-led or foreign-owned projects often face skepticism unless they embed local consultation and fair distribution mechanisms. Institutional trust emerges as dynamic, evolving across project stages and undermined by weak regulatory enforcement, economic insecurity, and symbolic engagement. The chapter highlights best practices for fostering long-term acceptance: inclusive governance structures, transparent benefit-sharing, and culturally sensitive outreach that respects “energy tribe” identities. By bridging empirical insights from Europe, Asia, and the developing world with energy justice and behavioral theory, this analysis offers policymakers and developers a strategic roadmap for designing renewable energy transitions that are both technically robust and socially resilient.

Keywords: Renewable energy; Sustainable development; Social acceptance; Public perceptions; Stakeholder engagement (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035348749
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