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

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  • Sovacool, Benjamin K.
  • Martiskainen, Mari
  • Hook, Andrew
  • Baker, Lucy

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Sovacool, Benjamin K. & Martiskainen, Mari & Hook, Andrew & Baker, Lucy, 2020. "Beyond cost and carbon: The multidimensional co-benefits of low carbon transitions in Europe," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:169:y:2020:i:c:s0921800918317282
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2019.106529
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    3. Wolfgang Buchholz & Dirk Rübbelke, 2020. "Overstraining International Climate Finance: When Conflicts of Objectives Threaten Its Succes," Working Papers 2020.17, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.
    4. Sovacool, Benjamin K. & Turnheim, Bruno & Hook, Andrew & Brock, Andrea & Martiskainen, Mari, 2021. "Dispossessed by decarbonisation: Reducing vulnerability, injustice, and inequality in the lived experience of low-carbon pathways," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
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    7. Sharma, A. & Surana, K. & George, M., 2022. "Do clean energy trade duties generate employment benefits?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
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    9. Sovacool, Benjamin K. & Baum, Chad M. & Low, Sean, 2023. "Beyond climate stabilization: Exploring the perceived sociotechnical co-impacts of carbon removal and solar geoengineering," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 204(PA).
    10. Sovacool, Benjamin K. & Barnacle, Max Lacey & Smith, Adrian & Brisbois, Marie Claire, 2022. "Towards improved solar energy justice: Exploring the complex inequities of household adoption of photovoltaic panels," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
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