reveals that over 2 million citizens in 30 European countries have participated in thousands of projects and initiatives aimed at transitioning to renewable energy. The investments made in these efforts ranged from 6.2 to 11.3 billion Euros. The analysis emphasizes the significance of collective action in Europe’s decarbonization efforts.
The energy system in Europe is undergoing a significant transition towards renewables and decarbonization. However, the contribution of citizen-led efforts, such as energy cooperatives, in this sphere is largely unknown. The authors estimate that 10,540 citizen-led initiatives were recorded during this time period, examples of which include a renewable energy community in Borutta, Italy and an eco-village community in Sweden. Within these initiatives, 22,830 specific projects were undertaken such as the installation of wind turbines and solar panels on local buildings, and the promotion of behavioral change and climate action within communities.