Energy Democracy: How can we regain control over our energy system? A question of ownership
We often use the term "Commons" to explain, that we aim at transforming our societal organization. But which realistic concepts do we have at hand to regain the control over our energy system? We need to ask the question of ownership: Shall the energy system pass into public ownership? Shall we fight for it on all levels, at the municipal, regional and national level?
Panel discussion
Languages: English, French
Organisation: Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung, Brussels Office, in cooperation with Social Action Nigeria, Berliner Energietisch, Transnational Institute
Contact: Marlis Gensler, marlis.gensler@rosalux.org
Jeremy Corbyn, Socialist and leader of the Pabour Party in the UK, announced in August 2015 that he will nationalise the six big energy suppliers.
"Labour would start buying up shares in the "big six" energy companies under a Jeremy Corbyn government until it owned a controlling stake, the party’s leftwing leadership contender has said. Corbyn, whose support has surged during the campaign and is now narrowly the second favourite to win, wants to nationalise British Gas, SSE, Eon, RWE Npower, Scottish Power and EDF, as well as the National Grid." (Financial Times, 7.8.2015).
We often use the term "Commons" to explain, that we aim at transforming our societal organization. But which realistic concepts do we have at hand to regain the control over our energy system? We need to ask the question of ownership: Shall the energy system pass into public ownership? Shall we fight for it on all levels, at the municipal, regional and national level?
Welcome: Dagmar Enkelmann, President, Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung
Inputs:
- Ken Henshaw, Social Action Nigeria
- Anne Debrégeas, Solidaires (Trade Union), France
- Stefan Taschner, Berlin Energy Table, Germany
- Daniel Chavez, Transnational Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Facilitation: Tadzio Müller, Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung
Background information:
What we have to expect from Paris/COP21 and what we would really need - Dossier of the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung on the climate summit (COP21) in Paris
Strategies of energy democracy. What ownership for a just energy transition? How combat energy poverty? Workshop in Brussels, 1-2 October 2015
Wege der Energiedemokratie. Emanzipatorische Energiewenden in Europa / von Conrad Kunze and Sören Becker. Ibidem : Brüssel, August 2015. Only available in German.
Energy democracy in Europe. A survey and outlook / by Conrad Kunze and Sören Becker. June, 2014
