Research Article on The Human Cost of Net-Zero

In the push for climate neutrality, the city of Stavanger—long known as Norway’s “oil capital”—is attempting a radical pivot. Central to this shift is the planned Positive Energy District (PED) in the Hillevåg neighbourhood, an ambitious project intended to produce surplus renewable energy while transforming the district into a greener, more people-centred urban environment. But what happens to existing businesses, local heritage, and lowerincome residents when such large-scale green transformations take place? 

In the Science Direct article "Between progress and preservation: the socio-economic challenges of positive energy district in Stavanger, Norway" author and Energy4All team member Yonas Tesema examines how business owners, historians, planners and civil society actors perceive the Hillevåg transformation—and what socio-economic uncertainties cities must address when planning energy transitions. 

The article offers lessons for policymakers, city authorities and other cities developing Positive Energy Districts. 

Read the article to find out: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211467X26000337 

Learn more about the DUT project ENERGY4ALL project: https://dutpartnership.eu/projects/energy4all 

This project has been funded under the Driving Urban Transitions Partnership, which has been co-funded by the European Commission.