Solar farms and opposition groups: Assessing alternative sustainability and anti-sustainability perspectives on their discourse

As countries have implemented energy-transition goals, local opposition to large-scale renewable energy has grown. This study provides an empirical evaluation of two perspectives for interpreting and explaining the opposition. One perspective (termed “anti-sustainability”) focuses on how the groups are skeptical of the need for a rapid transition to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. Another perspective (termed “alternative sustainability”) focuses on how the groups identify local sustainability problems without necessarily opposing the need for a broader energy transition. To evaluate the perspectives, a data set of opposition groups to large-scale solar in the US and UK was built. Variables for frame types were derived from two types of sources: for the anti-sustainability perspective, statements by conservative groups that oppose national energy-transition goals, and for the alternative sustainability perspective, the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) as they relate to local sustainability issues. There was evidence for both theoretical perspectives, but concerns associated with the alternative sustainability discourse perspective were more frequent than those associated with anti-sustainability discourse perspective. Differences were also identified between the US and UK groups, and a qualitative analysis of cases showed how the salience of the two perspectives varies across groups. The study suggests the need for attention to variation when characterizing the politics of opposition groups and for the use of both perspectives. Policy implications from including an alternative sustainability perspective include developing siting processes that give more attention to local community concerns rather than rejecting them as merely based on “not-in-my-backyard” sentiment. • Grassroots opposition discourse to renewable energy is complex and multi-faceted. • It is inadequate to characterize the opposition only from an anti-sustainability perspective. • Frame analysis provides evidence for an alternative sustainability perspective. • Recognizing complexity can improve understanding of opposition politics. • It can also improve policy guidance for siting and public engagement.