Social conflicts and tensions in the transition

Energy transitions are often talked about as a journey of innovation, technology, and integration. But in this workshop, we will broaden our view to understand how these transitions involve different interests across society and how this creates conflict. We invite scholars, policy makers, industry, and activists to explore three themes that span local, national, and international scales.

• One theme is power dynamics and development pathways. Transitions need to transform societies into new states, but efforts are mostly driven by dominant actors, which could create new societal lock-ins and environmental problems.
• Another theme is urgency versus justice. Quick action on climate change is necessary, but transitions need to be just and inclusive to ensure legitimacy and tap creativity. We will explore tensions around this accelerated speed.
• The third theme is the competition between different interests. Scarce resources like land, capital, and minerals are increasingly required during transitions, leading to conflicts between different groups such as indigenous people and renewable energy producers. We will discuss emerging interests and potential solutions.

Welcome.

Program

08:30    Registration and refreshments

09:00    Welcome and opening remarks

Tomas Moe Skjølsvold, NTNU and FME NTRANS

09:10   Session 1: Power dynamics and developments pathways

9:10: Lucia Liste, NTNU Social Research
The politics of road tolls:  Understanding opposition to green urban transport governance in Norway

09:25: Jani Lukkarinen, SYKE
Centralized vs. dispersed urban energy futures: Tensions in reconfiguring energy system.

09:40: Gisle Solbu, NTNU KULT
Party politics in the transition. New lines of contestation?

09:55: Discussion/interventions

10:05   Session 2: Urgency vs justice

10:05 Sigurd Hilmo Lundheim (NTNU, psychology)
Justice in Norwegian wind energy development

10:20 Sara Heidenerich/Robert Næss (NTNU, KULT)
Technological urgency at the expense of low-income groups? 

10:35: Discussion/interventions

10:45: Break

11:00 Session 3: Competition between the worth of different interests

11:00: Cláudia Lima Ayer de Noronha (Hydro)
Empowering Dialogue: Case Studies in Stakeholder Engagement and Conflict Resolution in vulnerable communities in Brazil

11:15: Tor Håkon Jackson Inderberg (Fridtjof Nansen’s institute)
Where do the weight of the actor interests lead us? Political pathway feasibility of Electrification, hydrogen, bioenergy, or energy savings

11:30: Berit Nilsen (NTNU Social research)
Tensions and competition in the twin transition

11:45   Summing up and closing remarks

12:00   END of workshop