Stakeholder-driven energy scenarios for a just transition: Dialogue with the scientific community

Participatory processes are fundamental in the development of long-term energy scenarios, integrating insights from a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including government officials, industry experts, and the general public. Such a holistic approach not only enhances the quality of the energy scenarios but also promotes trust and collaboration, paving the way for discussions on future energy prospects and their associated trade-offs.

IRENA’s Long-term Energy Scenarios (LTES) Network has organized various activities to highlight the importance of these processes, with the intention to provide a toolkit for energy planners focused on stakeholder engagement. With backing from the Horizon Europe-funded European SSH center, institutions such as the Institute for European Energy and Climate Policy (IEECP), TU Delft, University College London, and ΔE+ Research Lab are delving into the role of interdisciplinary research in energy transitions.

An upcoming workshop, co-organized by IRENA and IEECP, seeks to bring together professionals from diverse fields. The aim is to underscore the significance of participatory scenarios and the integration of wider scientific input into national energy planning. The workshop will focus on sharing best practices, addressing model limitations in addressing socio-political transitions, and discussing how more inclusive energy scenarios can be formulated through stakeholder collaboration.

The event will be held in a hybrid format (on-site and virtual), allocating only a limited number of on-site (priority given to the LTES members, partners, and topic experts).