Public administration as a driver of sustainability within energy communities

Abstract Climate change necessitates institutions and governments to be guided by principles of collective responsibility. In addressing this global challenge, the active involvement of citizens is essential, fostering the emergence of prosumers - individuals who both produce and consume energy. Public administration plays a pivotal role not only in influencing citizens’ behavioural change but also in promoting and facilitating green initiatives. Within this context, renewable energy communities (RECs) represent an innovative social model in which the development of renewable installations becomes an opportunity for collaboration and shared resource management. The research question guiding this work is whether public administration can function as an enabling actor in enhancing citizens’ awareness and participation in RECs. The aim is to conduct a social analysis through a dual online questionnaire administered to citizens and civil employees in Italy, to assess their knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes toward RECs. The results indicate that general knowledge of RECs remains limited among respondents, yet there is a shared perception that public administration holds a key role in raising awareness of the benefits of RECs and in promoting community participation. The findings further suggest that integrating technical-scientific expertise within public administration could strengthen institutional capacity and foster greater citizen engagement in sustainability projects. Consequently, a closer synergy between public authorities and local communities may facilitate the diffusion of renewable energy installations within energy communities and contribute to achieving sustainable energy development goals.