A new set of policy briefs are available to help policy makers tackle a just, sustainable and citizen-centred energy transition. Prepared within the context of the EC² project, the briefs offer comprehensive, research-based recommendations for facilitating and accelerating the energy transition at every level, from the EU to national and local contexts, with additional focus on a just transition in coal regions and policies for inclusive and motivated energy communities, based on insights from psychological studies.

Each brief, co-authored by ICLEI and EC²’s academic partners, succinctly highlights key takeaways for policymakers backed by interdisciplinary empirical research conducted as part of the project.

Project lead Daniel Botha of ICLEI's Justice, Equity and Democracy team said, “Environmental and geopolitical considerations have seen a huge policy push towards a more renewable and decentralised energy regime across the EU in recent years. These policy briefs seek to contribute to the effective implementation of such policies, showing that their success is contingent on creating a truly holistic and context-specific enabling environment for more active citizen involvement in the energy transition.

These briefs aim to guide policymakers at all levels, providing a clearer picture of the unique role that each level can play in the energy transition.”

The briefs will be launched at ICLEI’s upcoming Breakfast at Sustainability’s online event on 14 February, “Inclusion and justice in energy transition and energy communities”. This in-depth discussion will highlight recommendations, research results, and good practices for local governments and community energy initiatives, drawing on expertise from the EC² project and its Community Energy Academy.

Access all six briefs and further resources here.