As the world races to combat climate change, we know that shifting to renewable energy sources like wind is essential. The success of this transition depends not only on technology or policy but also on people. The way communities perceive and embrace these changes is critical. That’s why initiatives like the European Climate Initiative (EUKI) project, Wind4Bio, are focusing on one of the most vital aspects of the energy transition: increasing the social acceptance of wind energy.
Working towards this direction. Wind4Bio has reached a major milestone! Our project was recently featured in a high-profile discussion at the Thessaloniki International Fair. Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action of Germany Robert Habeck, Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy of Greece Alexandra Sdoukou, the President of Greek Association of Women Entrepreneurs (SEGE) Lina Tsaltampasi and our representative Charitini Karakostaki engaged in a dialogue about the importance of renewable energy and the pivotal role public support plays in its success. This discussion brought much-needed attention to the societal factors that can either propel or hinder the energy transition.
Why is social acceptance so crucial? When communities feel connected to the energy projects happening around them—whether it’s wind farms, solar installations, or bioenergy projects—they are more likely to accept and support these initiatives. Social acceptance is about more than just consent; it’s about engagement, trust, and shared ownership of our climate goals. Without public backing, even the most innovative technologies can struggle to gain momentum. This is especially true in regions where large-scale wind energy projects might face local opposition due to concerns about environmental impacts, noise, or changes to landscapes.
At the Thessaloniki International Fair, the conversation went beyond just technical solutions. We explored how public perception is shaped by education, transparency, and active community involvement. Minister The need for policies that not only promote renewable energy but also include communities in decision-making processes was emphasised. This ensures that the energy transition is a collaborative effort between governments, businesses, and citizens.
Wind4Bio is proud to be at the forefront of this conversation. Through our efforts, we’re working to:
· Develop a policy and social environment that better supports the sustainable growth of wind energy capacity in the regions involved.
· Accelerate the convergence of biodiversity and wind energy policies, i.e. reaching a modus vivendi whereby biodiversity threat mitigation measures will be an integral part of the design, deployment, operation and decommissioning of wind turbines and wind farms.
· Improve transparency through increasing the involvement of and cooperation with the civil society in biodiversity threat identification and mitigation.
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