This talk, featuring Derya Tarhan, is part of the Creating a League of Our Own: A Renewable Energy Cooperatives in Canada Discussion Series.
Recent studies from Europe and Canada have shown that membership bodies of renewable energy co-operatives (RECs) predominantly consist of affluent white men. This demographic concentration points at a disconnect between REC activity and its often-assumed potential in simultaneously advancing decarbonisation and social justice. This presentation will build on interviews with leading members RECs in Ontario to identify factors driving the exclusion of marginalised and frontline communities from REC initiatives. Findings reveal that a combination of inadequate policy support and complex preparatory activities in Ontario geared the pursuit of REC development towards affluent, professional class groups with access to necessary practical capacities. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of paths forward for Canada’s REC sector and the broader co-operative movement to act on the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion.Event Information:
Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 pm CST (Saskatchewan Time)
This event is being hosted through Zoom. A link and password will be sent to the confirmation email provided below.
