Table 3 Differences community initiatives movements across countries

Phase of development of initiatives

Early phase of development, minority well-established and fully operational

Well-established and operational, searching new modes

Well-established and operational

Size and growth of number of initiatives

Moderate group, growing rapidly

Moderate group, growing

Large group, decline traditional cooperatives, growth new local initiatives

Focus activity

RE provision, support for private savings/production

Collective production, energy savings

Collective production, creating revenue

Momentum

Little public debate on energy but relatively large attention for community initiatives

Large public debate on nuclear power and green economy

Large public consensus over ‘green’ goals and economic possibilities RE, increasing NIMBY response