The Opportunity

We stand before a unique window of opportunity to build a fair renewable energy system, and therefore a more equitable and sustainable society. Energy systems do not change very often, and when they do, the period over which the new power relations are defined does not last very long. Once they are established, change becomes very difficult. Over the next few years, we can collectively give shape to a very positive transformation based on local and global commons. The Yansa Group, which borrows the Brazilian name of the Yoruba goddess of wind, lightning and passionate change, has been created with the goal of contributing to this process.

This goal may be realized if we make use in time of several factors that can contribute to a community-driven transition to renewable energy:

The Territorial Factor

Most areas rich in renewable energy sources are under the control of rural communities. In many countries, indigenous communities and economically vulnerable sectors of the population were displaced from the most fertile lands and moved to windy and/or sunny regions that, at that time, were of no interest to more powerful sectors of the population. Many disadvantaged communities therefore now have legal control over land rich in renewable energy sources. However, if they lack access to the other factors required for renewable energy production (such as capital, technology and training), they can only try to negotiate an acceptable deal with companies that have access to the factors that they miss. But the structural conditions play against them: there are more communities that own land rich in renewable energy sources than companies able to undertake large renewable energy projects, so the latter can often dictate the terms of the relationship. Communities often only have the possibility to accept or reject the deal, or to protest against abusive projects that are undertaken against their will in their territories. As a result, conflicts over the control of wind-rich territories is growing, in particular, in areas where communities are in a disadvantaged situation, such as indigenous regions Oaxaca (Mexico), Guajira (Colombia) and other regions of the Global South. These communities cannot rely on territorial control alone to ensure a fair deal. But territorial control is undoubtedly a very good beginning, and a necessary condition, for a smooth community-driven transition to renewable energy.

The Technological Factor

Most of the technological pioneers in the renewable energy world are moved by social and ecological values. They started working in this sector several decades ago in order to contribute to the construction of a sustainable, decentralized and fair energy system. Even today, many people who join the sector are moved by the same values. It is therefore possible to mobilize a wealth of technological creativity in the process of building the conditions needed for a community-driven transition to renewable energy.

The “Paradigmatic” Factor

There is increasing awareness that the global environmental, economic and social / distribution crises have common roots in an economic system that is inherently unsustainable, since it requires permanent growth and expansion. Many persons and organizations around the world are looking for innovative solutions that can contribute to create environmentally and socially sustainable patterns of production and consumption. This paradigmatic change requires, and should result in, more balanced and democratic power relations. Energy production and consumption is a key part of this equation, on both the environmental and the social side. In addition, everyone agrees on the need for a substantial improvement in the economic conditions and relative power of disadvantaged rural communities. This awareness is also growing amongst persons and organizations that have access to significant amounts of money. As a consequence, the ethical financial sector, where social and environmental impact is just as important as (and sometimes even more important than) financial returns, is experiencing an unprecedented development in size and sophistication. This opens up the possibility to finance the beginning of a community-led transition to renewable energy.

The Global Connections

Over the last couple of decades, the diversity and intensity of communication and information flows have made it possible to connect disadvantaged communities in remote areas, technology experts, experienced trainers, philanthropists, analysts, environmentalists, human rights advocates, legal experts, academics and many other actors who share some basic values and want to work together on a motivating project. Complex systems involving myriad collaborative relations are more resilient and creative than monolithic top-down processes. A community-led transition to renewable energy is an obvious candidate for a powerful networking process of this nature.