Papers by Oscar Fitch-Roy
This chapter surveys the historical development of climate and energy policy in the EU and the at... more This chapter surveys the historical development of climate and energy policy in the EU and the attendant scholarly attention paid to environmental and climate policy and politics. The significance of the 2030 framework for the future direction of EU climate mitigation efforts is set out, the authors arguing that the policy represents a distinct shift towards technology neutrality. Following an overview of the literature on EU interest groups and socio-technical transitions, the chapter concludes by identifying the impact of interest groups on the policy agenda as the focus of the study.
The European Union (EU) has established a major role in directing policy change, both internally ... more The European Union (EU) has established a major role in directing policy change, both internally and beyond its borders: a phenomenon known as ‘Europeanisation’. This article examines the Europeanisation of water policy in Turkey in relation to implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). Although some principles of EU water policy have been adopted in Turkey, the WFD has also been subject to significant domestic modification, prompting questions about how and why such patterns of partial implementation occur. In this respect, learning and socialisation within transnational ‘instrument constituencies’ (ICs) is shown to be an important explanatory factor. It follows that diffusion of the EU’s water policy and the WFD beyond its borders may be enhanced by promoting the capacity for instrument constituency learning (or the ‘cognitive environment’) in non-EU countries.
This chapter describes what Kingdon calls the ‘problem stream’. The chapter sets out the debate s... more This chapter describes what Kingdon calls the ‘problem stream’. The chapter sets out the debate surrounding the connected issues of ‘energy’ and ‘climate’ topics and outline the issues vying for European policymakers’ attention in the year or so leading up to the European Commission’s 2014 Communication on the Energy and Climate Framework for 2030. The conceivable list of potential problems relevant to the policy area may be extremely large but the list that actually receives attention is necessarily much shorter. The chapter focusses on problems of energy supply, environmental sustainability and the cost of energy.
The Horizon2020 project AURES II aims at ensuring the effective implementation of auctions for re... more The Horizon2020 project AURES II aims at ensuring the effective implementation of auctions for renewable energies in the EU Member States (MS). In recent years, auction schemes for the allocation of support for renewable electricity sources (RES) have been advancing rapidly across Europe. Auctions are considered to have brought down support levels and increased planning capability for RES deployment and state budgets. In some unfortunate cases, they have, however, also resulted in delayed or unrealised projects and increased uncertainty for project developers. A variety of auction designs are still being tested and introduced in EU MS, as well as foreseen by European legislation. Therefore, there is still a need for further assessment and improvement of national auction design and implementation to ensure the future success of RES auctions in Europe. Applying different qualitative and quantitative methods in the various work packages (WPs), the AURES II project partners have already...
John Kingdon expresses the significance of ideas in his vision of the policy process by paraphras... more John Kingdon expresses the significance of ideas in his vision of the policy process by paraphrasing Victor Hugo: ‘Greater than the tread of mighty armies is an idea whose time has come’. The policy stream is where ideas are born and developed, combined and recombined, polished and prepared for their moment in the sun. This chapter follows the Brussels climate and energy policy community concerned as it trials tests and contests ideas about the 2030 targets in the several years leading up to 2014. The significant divisions within the policy community wrought by ideas are explored towards the end of the chapter.
For policy change to occur, a policy window must open to allow a policy entrepreneur to connect t... more For policy change to occur, a policy window must open to allow a policy entrepreneur to connect their preferred solution to a salient problem. This chapter shows that, while a policy window did open in 2013 and 2014, it was narrower and harder for policy actors to navigate than the unambiguous opportunity for change that was present in 2007. Within this complex and unpredictable environment, none of the observed attempts at entrepreneurship were unqualified successes, despite some notable achievements.
Incumbency is frequently considered as a barrier to the transformation of unsustainable socio-tec... more Incumbency is frequently considered as a barrier to the transformation of unsustainable socio-technical systems such as energy systems. However, despite wide use of the term, 'incumbency' has never been fully or adequately defined within the sustainable transitions literature. This working paper considers the use and meaning of the term incumbency in relation to sustainable transformations, specifically in relation to the UK's heat system. It takes ideas of incumbency from other disciplines including economics, politics and innovation. Synthesising these literatures, the paper proposes a number of characteristics of incumbency. Finally we propose a definition of incumbency in relation to sustainability transformations, which suggests that incumbents are actors already present in a specific socio-technical system, who are likely to be involved with unsustainable practices, and who possess the capacity to affect system change.
The creation of smarter electricity systems is driven by a number of social, political and econom... more The creation of smarter electricity systems is driven by a number of social, political and economic imperatives. It is simultaneously enabled by and contributing to rapid technological change. Key socio-economic challenges include issues of policy and regulation, such as maintaining physical network infrastructure at a time when regulated revenues are dwindling. Fundamentally, however, an electricity system exists solely to serve a social function, and without the “engagement”—be it consent, buy-in, or active leadership—of the people who interact with the system, the barriers to smart grids are likely insurmountable. While “smarter” consumer responsiveness to prices and access to data about consumption patterns can reduce overall costs, real questions remain unanswered about the role of citizens and what they need what they want, and what they will permit.
This document describes a proposed methodological approach to the design and implementation of sm... more This document describes a proposed methodological approach to the design and implementation of smart energy island systems. It is informed by a desk review of the available literature on smart energy islands (see T2.1.1 ICE deliverable report), current thinking in electricity system planning, and the particular challenges facing isolated systems (eg. Ushant). The approach consists of a series of sequential steps and iterations between steps that aim to guide communities through the process of creating a smart energy system. Unique to this approach is the emphasis of fostering local skills, businesses and industry in the delivery of the program with the aim of retaining these long-term benefits within the community. The document lays out the specific considerations of the proposed generic methodology for the isolated system smart energy transition. The conceptual overview of the methodology is presented and the rationale behind this choice of framework is supported. The framework com...
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Papers by Oscar Fitch-Roy