Net Zero Energy Transition in Rural Landscapes: A Study into the Interface between Technology, Livelihood, and Climate

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This project aims to bridge the gap in knowledge regarding net-zero energy transitions and energy justice in rural India. India with its geographical, cultural and topographical diversity, remains at a critical point in progressing a net-zero energy transition that is just. A key set of geographical issues that require further research concern the ways that rural communities are implicated in this transition processes due to i) India's demographic spread in terms of social, economic and cultural institutions in various regions ii) the impact (both positive and negative) of renewable energy generation such as solar and wind energy on rural landholdings, livelihood and social beliefs and customs; and iii) the lack of coordination between stakeholders such as the local governments, the residents and the project developers. This research, using practice-based 'user-inspired and 'user useful' approaches incorporating both scientific and local/indigenous knowledge (Reed, 2008; Cowling et al., 2008) will assess the impacts of renewable energy development on rural communities and livelihoods in India and develop tools, using local knowledge for engaging communities, to achieve socially-just renewable energy transitions.