Understanding local opposition to renewable energy projects in the Nordic countries: A systematic literature review

Amid escalating climate pressures, the war in Ukraine and the resulting energy crisis have intensified the demand for renewable energy (RE) sources, accelerating the green energy transition across Europe. This transition is a multifaceted process that goes beyond decarbonization; it disrupts landscapes and is shaped by complex socio-political dynamics, often sparking conflicts at the local level during the planning and construction of RE infrastructures. These conflicts can delay or even obstruct critical energy projects and therefore, an investigation of the causes, core problems, and effects of conflicts is necessary to mediate and prevent them. As the first comprehensive review on local energy conflicts in the Nordic region, this systematic literature review investigates the dynamics of public opposition to RE projects across the Nordic countries. With the inclusion of 60 peer-reviewed articles from 2014 to 2024, we analyzed patterns of public opposition in the region, local conflict dynamics and identified key actors involved. Our findings indicate that local conflicts in the Nordics are multifaceted and driven by concerns over environmental impacts, visual disruption, distrust in regulatory processes, inadequate financial compensation, threats to cultural heritage, health risks, and social stress. By incorporating an energy conflict theoretical framework, we reveal that these conflicts are deeply intertwined with broader social tensions and moral concerns, emphasizing the necessity for equitable and culturally sensitive policies to foster a just energy transition in the Nordic region and beyond. • First systematic literature review of the patterns and dynamics of renewable energy (RE) conflicts in the Nordic region. • Local energy conflicts in the Nordics are complex, and deeply tied to socio-cultural disruptions. • Top-down planning of RE infrastructures fuels distrust and marginalizes local communities. • Landscape preservation and Nordic nature-culture values drive public opposition to wind farms. • The paper reveals gaps between policy intent and genuine public engagement and benefit-sharing in RE planning.