Walter, Michael (2023) Accelerating LNG developments in Germany - bringing participation to a standstill? Pre-master thesis.
|
Text
Final pre-master thesis Michael Walter - Public version.pdf Download (542kB) | Preview |
Abstract
The invasion in Ukraine has laid Germany’s vulnerability to Russia’s geopolitical powerplay bare. In an attempt to become independent from Russian imports, the German federal government has adopted an act on accelerating infrastructure planning in order to promote liquified natural gas (LNG) imports from non-European countries. Whilst the LNG terminal development has gained considerable momentum, environmental and social repercussions are visible. By means of unstructured interviews and participant observations, this study examines impacts on selected stakeholders, how their relationship with planning officials is influenced and which reactions on behalf of the local community these recent developments produce. Environmental concerns include chlorine discharges, noise and light emissions, affecting local communities and tourism dependent livelihoods, thereby jeopardizing socioeconomic wellbeing. Social impacts were predominantly evident at a higher strategic and political level, rather than directly influencing participation in the planning process. The study reveals a lack of transparency and participation in the decision-making process, with accusations of government favoritism towards gas and heavy industry lobbies and deceptive claims regarding security of supply for the wider public. The formation of the citizen-led initiative Netzwerk Energiedrehscheibe is highlighted as a response, which aims to raise public awareness and foster fact-based discussion. The initiative stresses that supraregional cooperation is necessary in order to do justice to the complexity and intertwinement of energy-related issues. The findings emphasize the need for greater transparency and consideration of public interests in agenda setting and development of energy related infrastructure. Lastly, the study underscores the importance of informed citizens able to engage in a politically salient discourse.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Pre-master) |
|---|---|
| Degree programme: | Cultural Geography |
| Supervisor: | Hanna de Almeida Oliveira, P. |
| Date Deposited: | 03 Oct 2023 09:48 |
| Last Modified: | 03 Oct 2023 09:48 |
| URI: | https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4398 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |