Green transition conflicts can be resolved fairly

The goal of the Green Transition is a sustainable economy, not based on fossil fuels or overconsumption of natural resources. Despite its good intentions, the Green Transition creates contradictions, with conflicting interests, values and rights.

The implementation of renewable energy projects, such as wind farms or battery factories, will affect land use, nature, people and animals in the area. Concerns may arise for local residents, livelihoods and future generations.

In situations where conflicts cannot be avoided, how and where should they be addressed?

Akordi removes bottlenecks of the Green Transition

The main bottlenecks of the green transition are the lack of social acceptability and the various land use conflicts. However, conflicts can be anticipated and resolved in an effective, fair and sustainable way.

In implementation of the green transition, a toolbox is needed to reconcile interests, anticipate and resolve conflicts.

What does Akordi do?

• We provide neutral party assistance in anticipating and resolving green transition conflicts.
• We publish a playbook for project developers that guides them step by step to anticipate conflicts and work successfully with stakeholders.
• Sparring with project developers and authorities in green transition projects across Finland.

Space for effective problem solving

Conflicts are costly and time-consuming. The most effective way to achieve time-saving results starts with a careful definition and delineation of the problem and the issues to be resolved.

The owners of the problem need to be involved, because they hold the keys to solving it too: Industry needs predictability and certainty to invest. Local ecosystem needs reinforcement of nature values in the transition. The municipality and its current and future residents need the protection of local livelihoods and a healthy living environment.

Joint fact-finding is useful when a dispute revolves around a report or study, but the parties are far apart and there is no trust in the other side. Such challenges often concern the knowledge base for policy-making. This is when the importance of jointly built knowledge becomes paramount.

Support for elected officials as conveners

We support elected officials in bringing stakeholders involved in a local dispute to the table. We support elected officials:

• to solve tough practical problems by building meaningful islands of shared knowledge.
• to avoid protracted disputes by building shared understanding of difficult scientific controversies.
• to enable shared learning: disputants learn from the construction and uncertainties of science and expert knowledge. At the same time, the parties learn to understand each other’s interests, which helps to build effective dialogue.