| Title: |
Views from the shore: An analysis of public comments on an offshore wind energy future in Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Authors: |
Ahern, Isabella; Walker, Chad; Roux, Jean-Pierre; Chateau, Zoé |
| Source: |
Canadian Planning and Policy / Aménagement et politique au Canada; Vol. 2025 No. 1: Canadian Planning and Policy / Aménagement et politique au Canada; 126-151 ; 2562-122X |
| Publisher Information: |
Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) - l’Institut canadien des urbanistes (ICU); Association of Canadian Urban Planning Programs (ACUPP) -L’Association des Programmes Universitaires Canadiens en Urbanisme (APUCU) |
| Publication Year: |
2025 |
| Collection: |
Queen's University, Ontario: OJS@Queen's University |
| Subject Terms: |
offshore wind energy; planning; social acceptance; Canada; énergie éolienne en mer; acceptabilité sociale; aménagement |
| Description: |
Centered around concerns of climate change, energy security, and the need for low-cost clean electricity, many jurisdictions that have access to maritime areas are developing offshore wind energy. The province of Nova Scotia, Canada – home to some of the strongest offshore wind resources in the world – is one such place. Yet before development, governments need to listen, understand, and respond to the views of a diverse set of stakeholders, and affected publics. Using online and in-person open house comments, this exploratory study was conducted to determine the level and type of socio-political acceptance during the initial planning stages of offshore wind energy in Nova Scotia. Content analysis revealed that many people who participated in these consultations were initially ambivalent/unclear (with more opposed than supportive) – with regard to offshore wind energy. Consultees most opposed were Indigenous peoples/representatives, members of the general public, and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs). Thematic analysis identified six main themes, with the most referenced being concerns around biodiversity impacts and general environmental concerns. We close the paper with a discussion of the broader implications of our work, including relevance to future research, planning, and policy. ; Pour répondre aux enjeux climatiques et de sécurité énergétique ainsi qu'à la nécessité de disposer d'une électricité propre à faible coût, de nombreuses régions côtières se lancent aujourd'hui dans l'éolien en mer. La province de Nouvelle-Ecosse au Canada, dotée d'un potentiel éolien en mer parmi les plus importants au monde, est l'une d'entre elles. Cependant, les gouvernements se doivent d'écouter, de comprendre et de répondre aux attentes et opinions du public avant tout développement de l'éolien en mer. Le but de cet article exploratoire est d'évaluer le niveau et le type d'acceptabilité de l'éolien en mer en Nouvelle-Ecosse lors des toutes premières étapes de la planification éolienne. L'article s'appuie sur l'analyse de ... |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| File Description: |
application/pdf |
| Language: |
English |
| Relation: |
https://ojs.library.queensu.ca/index.php/cpp/article/view/18292/12478; https://ojs.library.queensu.ca/index.php/cpp/article/view/18292 |
| Availability: |
https://ojs.library.queensu.ca/index.php/cpp/article/view/18292 |
| Rights: |
Copyright (c) 2025 Isabella Ahern, Chad Walker, Jean-Pierre Roux, Zoé Chateau ; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.FBF7A920 |
| Database: |
BASE |