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KLIMAFORSK-Stort program klima

Land-use change and changing windpower governance: Process, practices and pressure

Alternative title: Endringer i arealpress og vindkraftutvikling: Prosesser, praksiser og press

Awarded: NOK 9.2 mill.

The project analyses changes in procedures for decisions on licensing wind power in Norway, and how these affect the legitimacy of the outcome and pressure to change land use in untouched areas. By applying comparisons with Sweden and planning of cabin fields the findings will be ensured further application. By studying this, WINDGOV addresses head on a highly controversial area in Norwegian and European public management and general public. WINDGOV rests on the inclusion of key user partners representing relevant authorities and stakeholders at all levels, and a highly experienced and interdisciplinary research group. The project has carried out further searches and processing of data to map the gradual change in land-use caused by developments in wind power and cabin developments over time. The initial results of this are discussed with the user partners. The project group is in the process of designing analytical schemes for the studies of the changes in the licensing scheme and how this affects legitimacy for wind power. This was discussed with the user partners at the start-up meeting in October, and the design of a survey for all municipalities in Norway together with the Central Association of Municipalities is in the process of being developed. The project has observed a sharp shift in the municipalities' position on wind power, which we will investigate further. The opportunities lying in contrasting comparisons will also be exploited by analysing the planning of wind power developments compared to planning of cottage developments. The aim is to develop knowledge about how planning arrangements, local anchoring and other factors lead to differences in perceived legitimacy and land development. Here there is ongoing work to select case for comparison, which has been discussed with the reference group. Later in the project, the project group will compare legal frameworks and practices for wind power in Norway and Sweden. A dedicated focus on communication and inclusion of the project's user partners enables interdisciplinary knowledge development that is highly relevant to the user partners, public practices, politics and others affected. Since the project is based on expertise developed from work done in previous projects at FNI, it has been possible to use the opportunity for early popular scientific dissemination and communication of these experiences to the user partners from the beginning of the project. This at the same time as the academic knowledge that forms the basis for such dissemination is further developed in line with the project's objectives. In addition, the project will contribute to the academic research front on licensing and planning practices and how these affect legitimacy and pressure on areas.

The project analyses changes in windpower licensing in Norway, and their influences on outcome legitimacy and pressure on land-use change in untouched areas. Also, comparisons with Sweden and a contrasting case of second homes planning contributes to the findings. Research on licensing schemes and their outcomes has been limited, with some exceptions. In studying this, WINDGOV addresses head on a currently polarised and highly controversial area in Norwegian and European public management and general public. WINDGOV rests on the inclusion of key user partners representing relevant authorities and stakeholders at all levels, and a highly experienced and interdisciplinary research group. With these assets the project studies the incremental land-use from windpower and second homes over time (WP1); the changes in licensing scheme and influence on output legitimacy and a stark shift in municipality stand on windpower (WP2); a contrasting case with second home planning arrangements (WP3); comparisons of legal frameworks and practices in Norway and Sweden (WP4); draws out general findings and lessons for academic and users (WP5); and, finally, has a dedicated focus on communication assisted by FNI's Head of Information. The project includes a particular emphasis on the user partners throughout. This enables the interdisciplinary research to generate knowledge that is highly relevant for the user partners and beyond, as well as contributing to the research frontier on licensing and planning, and the influence from the organisation of and changes in these on outcome legitimacy and land-use pressure. The combination of sound academic research, active involvement of strategic user partners, a timely and relevant project, and an interdisciplinary collaborative project will ensure significant impact.

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Funding scheme:

KLIMAFORSK-Stort program klima

Thematic Areas and Topics

InternasjonaliseringInternasjonalt prosjektsamarbeidPolitikk- og forvaltningsområderOffentlig administrasjon og forvaltningKlimarelevant forskningDelportefølje InternasjonaliseringPolitikk- og forvaltningsområderEnergi - Politikk og forvaltningPolitikk- og forvaltningsområderMiljø, klima og naturforvaltningKutt i utslipp av klimagasserInternasjonaliseringPolitikk- og forvaltningsområderKommunal-, distrikt- og regionalforvaltningBransjer og næringerEnergi - NæringsområdeLTP3 Klima, polar og miljøAnvendt forskningFNs BærekraftsmålMål 15 Liv på landDelportefølje Et velfungerende forskningssystemMiljøvennlig energiEnergipolitikk, miljøkonsekvenser og bærekraftBransjer og næringerLTP3 Styrket konkurransekraft og innovasjonsevneDemokrati, makt og styringNaturmangfold og miljøTerrestrisk arealbruk og arealendringFNs BærekraftsmålLTP3 Tillit og fellesskapFNs BærekraftsmålMål 13 Stoppe klimaendringenePolitikk- og forvaltningsområderKlimaPortefølje Klima og miljøLTP3 Demokrati, styring og forvaltningPortefølje Demokrati og global utviklingKlimaRammebetingelser og virkemidler for utslippsreduksjon og karbonopptakLTP3 Miljøvennlig energi og lavutslippsløsningerLavutslippMiljøvennlig energiLTP3 Et kunnskapsintensivt næringsliv i hele landetMiljøvennlig energiEnergipolitikk, økonomi og samfunnsspørsmålLTP3 Klima, miljø og energiPortefølje Energi og transportMiljøvennlig energiMiljøvennlig energi, annetPortefølje ForskningssystemetNaturmangfold og miljø