TY - JOUR

T1 - A cognitive mapping approach to understanding public objection to energy infrastructure

T2 - The case of wind power in Galicia, Spain

AU - Upham, Paul

AU - García Pérez, Jesús

PY - 2015/11/1

Y1 - 2015/11/1

N2 - Historically, Spain has experienced relatively little public objection to wind power proposals, but this is changing in the region of Galicia, which now hosts a relatively concentrated level of wind turbines. To document and understand this objection, we take a cognitive mapping approach, commenting on its value as a method and focussing particularly on the issue of community compensation. Cognitive mapping structures the causal logic of individuals' thinking, revealing this and facilitating group discussion. Here we compare cognitive maps that reflect different positions on the controversy. Both monetary and in-kind compensation are dismissed by local campaigners and local stakeholder representatives alike. In-kind compensation is regarded as inadequate firstly because it cannot provide the scale of the public goods perceived as necessary by the host community. Secondly, the developer is in any case considered inappropriate as provider of public goods, which the community think should be delivered by local and regional governments.

AB - Historically, Spain has experienced relatively little public objection to wind power proposals, but this is changing in the region of Galicia, which now hosts a relatively concentrated level of wind turbines. To document and understand this objection, we take a cognitive mapping approach, commenting on its value as a method and focussing particularly on the issue of community compensation. Cognitive mapping structures the causal logic of individuals' thinking, revealing this and facilitating group discussion. Here we compare cognitive maps that reflect different positions on the controversy. Both monetary and in-kind compensation are dismissed by local campaigners and local stakeholder representatives alike. In-kind compensation is regarded as inadequate firstly because it cannot provide the scale of the public goods perceived as necessary by the host community. Secondly, the developer is in any case considered inappropriate as provider of public goods, which the community think should be delivered by local and regional governments.

KW - Cognitive map

KW - Community compensation

KW - Public objection

KW - Wind power

KW - Wind power

KW - Cognitive map

KW - Sustainability sciences, Communication

KW - Public objection

KW - Community compensation

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84929580892&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.renene.2015.05.009

DO - 10.1016/j.renene.2015.05.009

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:84929580892

VL - 83

SP - 587

EP - 596

JO - Renewable Energy

JF - Renewable Energy

SN - 0960-1481

ER -