Participatory Governance Citizen Participation in Energy Decision Making

Traditionally, energy suppliers, utilities and governments have decided on energy investments, how energy is provided and how costs are allocated. The consequence is that environment, society, health and public welfare, have been neglected and the arising problems are manifested in worldwide pollution, desertification, global climate change, and associated social problems. 

The liberalisation of the energy market and the increasing role of local authorities in climate change issues are shifting how energy decisions are being made and present an opportunity for better aligning the provision of energy services to ecodevelopment goals. 

However successful approaches to achieve consensus on energy strategy and policy in line with ecodevelopment goals have been limited. 

HELIO believes that for energy services to best meet the needs of consumers --such as quality of supply, reasonable cost-- requires consultation with civil society and genuine citizens' involvement. 

HELIO is actively promoting the development and integration of civil society organisations such as users' councils into the energy decision-making process.

User Councils

Users' councils are one way to facilitate a "knowledge exchange" between and among various user groups to better understand available policy options.  These councils allow citizens, as energy users to:

1. be better informed;
2. be prepared to contribute to rational energy decision-making; and,
3. promote more actively climate stabilisation and sustainable development by favouring energy efficiency and renewable energy. 

What HELIO is doing...

HELIO is currently working on a series of activities studying and promoting the creation of user councils:

• Promoting New Governance Mechanisms for Energy Planning

This paper (103KB, PDF) outlines the challenges that energy planners face and advocates that a transition to ecodevelopment requires a "knowledge transition" among stakeholders.

• Developing a User's Matrix

This matrix (60KB, PDF) lists all possible stakeholders in the energy sector and the decisions that need to be made. Each form of participation/intervention listed in the legend (public debate, etc.) is weighted according to its significance.  The numerical total for each category helps understand the factors that influence how each decision is made, who the important decision makers are, and the proportion of influence attributed to each stakeholder.

If you are interested in working with HELIO on developing this research agenda, please contact us.   

Further Information...

• For information on related activities: click here
• For a listing of articles and websites: click here