Comprehensive Open Access Dataset of Sustainable Energy Consumption Initiatives (SECIs) : Deliverable 2.3

This document (ENERGISE D2.3) provides a background report on the process and result of developing and constructing a comprehensive open access dataset of sustainable energy consumption initiatives (SECIs) that have been collected and assessed as part of Work Package 2 (WP2) in ENERGISE. The dataset is designed as a map that is intended to be a user-friendly device that provides an overview of sustainable energy consumption initiatives (SECIs) in Europe. In particular, the map shows the variety in scope, content and approach in the identified SECIs

Production of 30 National Summary briefs : Deliverable 2.5

This document (ENERGISE D2.5) provides an overview of national energy and supply dynamics across 30 European countries. The Deliverable encompasses reviews of the current state of the art and existing trends in national energy policies, energy systems and energy campaigns in each of the 30 countries. To enhance accessibility and engagement with the material, the information gathered is presented in 30 independent National Briefs

Catalogue of existing good practice examples of programmes and interventions : Deliverable 2.1

This document (D2.1) provides an overview of the extensive data that has been collected on sustainable energy consumption initiatives as part of Work Package 2 (WP2) in ENERGISE. The deliverable provides a general introduction to the scope and objectives of WP2 specifically, as well as a short introduction as to how sustainable energy consumption initiatives are defined in ENERGISE. In addition, a full list is provided of 1000+ sustainable energy consumption initiatives that have been identified throughout Europe

Molecular prevalence, genetic characterization and patterns of Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic small mammals from Cotonou, Benin

Toxoplasmosis, one of the most prevalent parasitic infections in humans and animals, is caused by the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Small mammals play a key role as intermediate reservoir hosts in the maintenance of the T. gondii life cycle. In this study, we estimated the molecular prevalence and provide genetic diversity data for T. gondii in 632 small mammals sampled in four areas of Cotonou city, Benin. Both the brain and heart of each individual were screened through T. gondii-targeting qPCR, and positive samples were then genotyped using a set of 15 T. gondii-specific microsatellites. Prevalence data were statistically analyzed in order to assess the relative impact of individual host characteristics, spatial distribution, composition of small mammal community, and urban landscape features. An overall T. gondii molecular prevalence of 15.2% was found and seven genotypes, all belonging to the Africa 1 lineage, could be retrieved from the invasive black rat Rattus rattus and the native African giant shrew Crocidura olivieri. Statistical analyses did not suggest any significant influence of the environmental parameters used in this study. Rather, depending on the local context, T. gondii prevalence appeared to be associated either with black rat, shrew, or mouse abundance or with the trapping period. Overall, our results highlight the intricate relationships between biotic and abiotic factors involved in T. gondii epidemiology and suggest that R. rattus and C. olivieri are two competent reservoirs for the Africa 1 lineage, a widespread lineage in tropical Africa and the predominant lineage in Benin

Le rôle central des agriculteurs dans les projets d’EnR

Plus que tout autre groupe socio-professionnel, les agriculteurs sont parmi les premiers, et les plus nombreux, à avoir mis en place des énergies renouvelables (EnR) ces vingt dernières années, que ce soit individuellement ou collectivement. L’étude socio-anthropologique de communes ayant atteint une autonomie énergétique totale ou partielle en Allemagne, Autriche et France, nous montre que les agriculteurs tiennent également une place absolument centrale dans ces projets locaux, en tant qu’i..

When energy changes hands : a socio-anthropology of local energy independence through renewable energy in Germany, Austria and France

En Europe, le développement des énergies renouvelables (EnR) est porté par des acteurs jusqu'ici atypiques dans le secteur énergétique : des particuliers, agriculteurs et collectivités locales. Si bien qu'en Allemagne, plus de 50 % des capacités de production d'EnR appartiennent à des citoyens. De plus en plus de communes rurales atteignent ainsi une autonomie énergétique locale, produisant autant voir plus que leurs consommations, connectées aux réseaux énergétiques nationaux ou non (micro-réseaux). Qu'est-ce qui a amené ces citoyens et élus à devenir individuellement et collectivement autonomes ? Et quelles sont les implications de cette réappropriation locale de l'énergie sur les représentations et usages énergétiques, l'organisation sociale, les solidarités, l'économie locale ou l'identité collective ? Ces questionnements ont guidé la réalisation d'une étude socio-anthropologique auprès de cinq communes en Allemagne, Autriche et France. Cette analyse transnationale compare également deux échelles de l'autonomie énergétique : individuelle (domestique) et collective (commune). Un changement d'échelle qui permet d'interroger le rôle du système technique dans les usages énergétiques ou encore celui, précurseur et central, que jouent les agriculteurs dans le choix des EnR - pour mieux saisir son sens social. Le choix de l'autonomie locale et l'alternative qu'il constitue, au sein même du macro-système énergétique, a en effet une dimension politique, sociale, écologique, technique, économique et symbolique. Car finalement lorsque l'énergie change de mains, le pouvoir aussi.The development of renewable energy (RE) in Europe has been sustained, inter alia, by unconventional players in the energy sector: individuals, fanners, and local communities. As a result, over 50% of renewable energy generation capacity in Germany is citizen-owned. Thus more and more rural communities are achieving local energy independence, producing as much or even more than they consume, whether they are connected to national power grids or not (microgrids). What has led these citizens and local governments to become individually and collectively energy self-sufficient? And what are the implications of this local appropriation of energy on representations of energy and its use, social organization, social cohesion, local economies, and collective identity? These questions have guided this socio-anthropological study of five communities in Germany, Austria, and France. The transnational analysis also compares two levels of energy independence: individual (domestic) and collective (community). Changing the level of analysis makes it possible to question the role of the technical system in energy use, as well as the pioneering and key role farmers play in the choice of renewables - in order to better understand its social meaning. Within the large technical system, the choice of local energy independence, and the alternative it represents, has political, social, environmental, technical, economic, and symbolic dimensions. Because, ultimately, when energy changes hands, power does as well

From governing behaviour to transformative change: A typology of household energy initiatives in Switzerland

Based on a study of fifty initiatives aimed at reducing energy usage among Swiss households, we uncover what representations of change and forms of engagement are put forward by these initiatives, and the related policy implications. Two ideal-types emerge from our analysis: first, the dominant worldview of change as based on governing behaviour towards ‘better' individual choices, made possible through rationalising, evaluating, and awareness-raising; second, an ideal-type which involves representations of change based on recognizing the social embeddedness of practices and socio-technical systems. Initiatives that fall into this category seek to transform how everyday life plays out, in relation to energy services and systems of provision, while challenging dominant norms around individuals as central to change. In comparing the Swiss case to over 1,000 initiatives across Europe, we discuss what makes Switzerland a forerunner in relation to this second ideal type. Further, we assess how different forms of engagement are at play, involving the participation of diverse groups of people in initiative design and implementation, while aiming towards more durable, effective and innovative solutions – which we see as a subset of the two ideal types, and one that merits further study