The Netherlands is at a critical juncture in its energy transition journey, facing significant challenges in meeting the European Union's 2030 goals. Wind energy, with its vast potential, is hindered by factors such as grid capacity shortages, resulting in congestion; and a lack of meaningful citizen participation in the decision-making process, which compounded by uneven benefits and conflicting interests, have led to local opposition against wind energy projects. This research explores how smart renewable energy community development strategies can address these dilemmas and facilitate a just and sustainable energy transition. It focuses on four main research questions: identifying key stakeholders and their influence on energy community development; analyzing spatial plans and policies and their deficiencies; proposing strategies to address these challenges at local and regional levels; and exploring how these strategies can be implemented in the Dutch urban context.

The study employs a range of methodologies including literature reviews, stakeholder analysis, case studies, analytical mapping, spatial analysis, multi-criteria analysis, urban planning/design, and scenario-making. The expected outcomes include a methodology for citizen/stakeholder engagement in energy community and energy transition decision-making, cross-scale exploratory design scenarios, and an experimental visualization platform to present spatial interactions and data. This approach aims to enhance just energy transition through the development of smart renewable energy communities, improve grid resilience and energy project's social acceptance, and ensure spatial justice in the Dutch energy transition.

In an era marked by pressing environmental concerns and the urgent need for sustainable solutions, our project embarked on a transformative journey, envisioning a future where nature-based strategies not only combat climate change but also foster economic prosperity and social justice.

With CO2 emissions reaching alarming levels and posing grave threats to the environment, human health, and global stability, conventional approaches to combat climate change often fall short in addressing the intricate interplay between social, economic, and environmental factors. Our research sought to tackle this challenge towards a just transition to a low-carbon economy: “How can we design a circular economy of carbon storage focussing on nature-based solutions?"

Grounded in the principles of sustainability and equity, our approach initially focused on proposing nature-based solutions to reduce CO2 levels. However, recognizing the need for a holistic transformation, our methodology evolved to integrate bio-based economy concepts and community-centric design principles. This involved a rigorous examination of existing policies, spatial analyses, and stakeholder engagement to develop a comprehensive strategy.
The overarching goal was to present a visionary blueprint for transforming land use, emphasizing nature-based solutions as central to carbon mitigation efforts while fostering economic development and social resilience. This entailed the creation of green corridors, the establishment of productive communities, and the promotion of collaboration within the bio-based economy.

Through our research, we identified forests and wetlands as beneficial nature-based storage methods for the Netherlands, with significant potential to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Despite spatial conflicts and implementation challenges, investing in the bio-based economy, particularly in construction using bio-based materials, emerged as a promising avenue for economic growth. Our phased approach to implementation outlined pathways for achieving equitable CO2 reduction while maximizing environmental and social benefits.

Our work extends far beyond environmental conservation. By presenting a transformative vision that integrates nature-based solutions with socio-economic considerations, we offer a roadmap for policymakers, businesses, and communities to navigate the complexities of climate change mitigation. This matters because it signals a paradigm shift towards sustainable development, where the preservation of nature goes hand in hand with economic prosperity and social equity, ensuring a resilient and thriving future for generations to come.