ABSTRACT
The concept of energy citizenship addresses active participation and involvement of citizens in the energy sector. Understanding the contexts and conditions under which energy citizenship might emerge is crucial. However, there is currently still a gap in the literature when it comes to studying how energy citizenship and energy communities relate to different geographical levels, including local, national, and supranational contexts, such as the European Union. In a three-country-study conducted in Austria, the Netherlands, and Germany (overall N = 1,882), we examined whether differences in energy citizenship exist based on the chosen level of engagement (local, national, EU) and how these differences impact individuals’ willingness to join energy communities. We observed a general pattern of higher levels of energy citizenship reported at the national and EU levels compared to the local level. Simultaneously, we found a greater willingness to join energy communities at the local level compared to the EU level. Furthermore, the relationship between geographical level and energy citizenship was (partially) mediated by group identification and collective agency. These studies provide initial insights into the multifaceted nature of energy citizenship and its implications for advancing sustainable energy practices across different geographical contexts.
Held, J., & Corcoran, K. (2025). From local to EU: understanding energy citizenship and the willingness to join energy communities across geographical levels. Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/1523908X.2025.2553021