News that the right-wing populist parties in the EU, who oppose climate action, are gaining in popularity may impact the outcomes of the European election in June. They are taking advantage of a divide which has arisen over climate action, in particular, between rural and urban areas.
We are already seeing the rise of right-wing politicians here in Scotland, making the best of the divide on climate issues between rural and urban. I’m seeing it in my own backyard. In West Aberdeenshire, a local conservative politician has set up a group Facebook page protesting the onward march of giant pylons across the countryside, which has attracted a fair share of political commentary and the perception that the demise of the rural idyll is the result of the SNP Scottish Government policies. This is despite energy policy being reserved to the UK Parliament. Mainstream politicians are always keen to collaborate with populists if it serves their agenda.
Net zero policies are fueling divisive debate
I’m not convinced that the SNP are considerate of the climate backlash they face between rural & urban areas, despite valiant attempts by their own party politicians to highlight the same.
Rural dwellers generally support measures to achieve carbon emissions targets, and the majority understand that there may need to be compromise. As expected, where governments are concerned, it is the manner in which net zero policies are being delivered or to be implemented, that is fueling divisive debate.
The division that has arisen is exacerbated when monopolies such as SSE and the National Grid, do not engage constructively with those directly impacted by their operations, preferring instead to stage-manage so-called ‘community consultation’ events and present minimal information on future projects.
A complete revamp of climate policies is not what the protesters are looking for. They want politicians and contractors to explore ways of delivering on net zero targets which are sensitive to their needs but not in conflict with their lifestyles or having a deleterious impact on their livelihoods. It is all very well looking to compensate those affected by offering incentives and compensation, but a just transition has to take into consideration how projects are executed. One of the ways this can be achieved is to look at alternatives to giant pylons and consider under-grounding as opposed to overhead cables.
Pylons versus underground cabling
A primary concern of grid infrastructure development, particularly pylons, is aesthetics.
Many people consider pylons and turbines to be a blot on the landscape. Rural and beautiful landscapes appreciated by locals and tourists alike can be blighted by infrastructure projects. There’s a good argument that the economy and lifestyle of communities can be adversely impacted, some in a significant way.
These considerations are spoken about in whispers by corporations tasked with delivering infrastructure to meet the needs for a just transition. The race to deliver infrastructure to allow the connection of renewable energy sources and achieving a balance between the needs of communities and delivering on renewable projects is challenging. Rural communities feel under siege. They contribute in ways that urban communities cannot.
In Scotland, much of the top contributions to the UK economy are provided by rural communities. For example, food and drink exports to China in the last quarter of 2023 were driven by whisky (+37.6%), salmon (+57%), food and drink, and manufacture accounts for 70% of Scotland’s food supply chain turnover.
In addition, these same communities, which have historically provided the backdrop for a Scottish tourist industry are expected to play host to thousands of pylons and turbines. So, it’s no surprise that those communities affected are protesting against the seemingly never-ending march of pylons and turbines across their neighbourhoods, seen as a threat to their lifestyle, livelihoods and health.
Underground cables are an option
A typical underground cable needs a surrounding strip of 1-10 metres. Overhead cables need a 20-200m strip, which requires to be kept clear permanently. Farmers and others needing to use the surrounding land where there are underground cables can do so with no need to consider safety aspects of operating farm machinery below overhead lines. Modern cable ploughing machinery ensures cables can be laid quickly, cutting a trench in the ground whilst simultaneously flattening the disturbed earth and reinstating the ground. Installing overhead lines on the other hand requires great skill and is a hazardous operation.
Overhead cables are more susceptible to damage from severe weather events involving freezing, lightning and wind conditions than underground cabling which is usually protected in a lined trench and often in robust tubular casings. Many people living in close proximity to electricity cables are concerned that there are health risks associated with electromagnetic fields which are emitted by overhead cables. Although there appears to be only finite evidence to suggest there are risks associated with the development of childhood cancers, there is equally insufficient data to confirm that there is no risk.
These are minimised and overall environmental impacts are reduced with under-grounding of cables. In fact, under-grounding would be the preferred option for those living close to the proposed infrastructure.
Impact on Farmers
Areas where these pylons and associated stations are to be located are on prime agricultural land. Farmers intent on adopting sustainable agricultural practices are expected to accommodate pylons and substations on their land, UK-wide. They are campaigning for underground cabling and would much rather tolerate the disruption of underground cable laying for two or three years than work around 400 KV pylons for decades.
Operating safely with farm machinery around pylons is currently being highlighted.
Policy development
The impact on climate needs to be front and centre of policy development for governments and energy companies. Rural dwellers and numerous small businesses as well as distilleries and food providers, need to know that vital elements for their survival such as water and soil quality, are not going to be adversely impacted and that their all-important carbon reduction initiatives are going to be a worthwhile investment.
Examples where under-grounding has been employed, particularly across Europe are legion. Some of these under-grounding projects were done to preserve areas of natural beauty and increase social acceptance. Others were done such as the INELFE Project that links Spain with France to increase the reliability of supply, increasing energy market competition and lowering prices for consumers. If these two countries can link to each other through 12 parallel HVDC underground cables laid in a trench, which had to negotiate the Catalan Pyrenees via a 3.5 metre diameter tunnel with a length of 8.5km, then why can under-grounding not be done in Scotland?
The end goal is to mobilise the renewable energy sources at our disposal, preserve the landscape, decarbonise and increase societal benefits for everyone, not to maximise profits for a minority.
If the National Grid in England & Wales can remove pylons in Snowdonia because it’s designated an area of outstanding natural beauty, remove 22 pylons near Dorset villages or 10 pylons in the Dwyryd Estuary, and place cables underground then why not Glen Affric and Beaully?
Climate change targets – A political football?
Consideration of under-grounding cables is only one example of how protests can be avoided, political capital controlled and natural capital take precedence.
It’s becoming increasingly evident that the current climate policies are inadequate and that climate targets are unlikely to be met, despite a legal requirement to do so. Recent announcements from the Scottish government that 2030 emissions are now unachievable have highlighted that climate policy is not a ‘nice to have ‘but an absolute requirement if the planet and its inhabitants are to be sustained. Climate policy should be considered a matter of social justice if the onward march of right-wing populist politicians is to be averted and their ability to turn reasoned debate into culture wars curtailed.
It’s imperative that right-wing populists are stopped from taking advantage of debate around net zero policies to further their own ambitions, especially since there is general consensus that something must be done to avert a climate catastrophe.
The monopolists cannot be allowed to destroy our habitat to reap profits for themselves and their shareholders. Likewise, right-wing populists and others with vested interests and questionable motives must not be afforded opportunities to subvert climate initiatives designed to benefit all.
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