An Introduction to the Energy Descent Action Planning process - by Sonya Wallace, Think Green Consultancy Director

edaptation // noun. 1. the act of a community adapting to climate change and peak oil by creating and actioning an Energy Descent Action Plan. 2. the act of transitioning to a post carbon future in a positive, pro-active manner 3. Sociology a far reaching and widespread yet significant modification of individual and community attitude and behaviour. 4. the act of moving from oil dependency to local resilience community by community. 5. the act of personal attitudinal and behavioural change.

Sonya’s definition of energy descent action planning – ‘edaptation’ – first appeared in The Transition Timeline book, published in 2009 by the UK-based International Transition Network.

Read more about the process...

Most councils invite the community to contribute to their regional community plans - but by understanding the power of the Energy Descent Action Planning process, how it relates to Transition Initiatives and how it can be applied within households, communities, regions and council areas you can see how an 'EDAP' can motivate social and behavioural change while engaging communities on a whole new level.

What is an Energy Descent Action Plan?
First applied in Kinsale Ireland in 2005, the concept of an Energy Descent Action Plan (EDAP) was devised by UK sustainability educator Rob Hopkins and a group of students who were studying a two-year sustainability education program in Kinsale at the time. The final document, which visioned and documented a pathway to a positive, low-carbon future for Kinsale by 2021, was accepted and implemented by the Kinsale Local Shire. The ground-breaking document set the framework for Kinsale to become the world’s first ‘transition town’ – a town that is making a positive transition from high energy use to low energy use.

Fast forward to today and Transition Initiatives are forming around the world to create their own positive vision of the future by writing and delivering their unique plan for their local area.

An Energy Descent Action Plan gives communities a ‘planned way down’ through the descent of oil and resource supplies. It works on the theory that while we have no choice in the fact that peak oil will be put upon us, we do have a choice in how we manage the situation. We can and must take whatever control and responsibility we can for the future – we owe that to the children that are being born today and the generations that may – or may not – follow us.

The planning process acknowledges that we are facing depleting resource supplies and the sooner we prepare for that depletion the better It also offers us a way to wean ourselves off carbon based fuels and guide communities through a self-imposed energy descent.

It is relevant at this point to be reminded that the future is not just something that happens, it is something we create from our actions today.

An Energy Descent Action Plan is:
• A visioning and policy planning tool
• A plan for the lead up to, during and after energy descent (the transition phase)
• A plan for the relocalisation of our society
• A way to identify areas of society (people and places) that will be affected by energy descent
• A way to identify and timeline the construction of post-carbon infrastructure before the crisis hits
• A way to identify social, environmental and economic vulnerabilities and opportunities
• A tool and pathway to change society’s attitudes and behaviours
• A method for establishing diversification strategies to ensure survival
• A way to inspire people to be empowered – to see a better future and to see their role in taking their community there, to see the opportunities of turning a potentially catastrophic event into a positive and uplifting future
• EDAPs are compiled in the spirit of inclusivity, transparency and openness
• They create a ‘buzz’ of something positive and meaningful happening
• They are a process of community facilitation, education, information sharing and networking
• EDAPs demonstrate workable partnerships between the community, key stakeholders and governments’ commitment to finding solutions to climate change and peak oil
• An EDAP is a way to build resilient and robust communities more able to withstand the shockwaves and fallout of predicted social, environmental, resource and economic changes

Benefits of energy descent planning for government
Establishing an EDAP in conjunction with the community will put any government at the forefront of innovation in climate change and peak oil planning internationally. This is most relevant to local governments as they are the people who live in these communities and the local level of government is able to make faster changes. They will also bear the brunt of the impacts of climate change and resource depletion, so it is in their best interest to begin preparing now.

Peak oil expert and respected author, Richard Heinberg says about towns that implement Energy Descent Action Plans: “(they) are like test tube experiments for what the rest of society is going to have to do. … very soon every town, every city in the world is going to be faced with the need for making the same kinds of choices. So having at least a few communities that have undertaken the process voluntarily and proactively, and that have tested out the options and found ways of doing this successfully, is going to be very important. These towns will show the way for the rest of us.” Permaculture Magazine interview Spring 2007

Community Consultation
Before creating a successful Energy Descent Action Plan, a variety of community consultation and education processes need to be offered to raise community awareness and provide consultation pathways.Two way feedback systems need to be in place – raising awareness, informing, educating, provide action pathways. Opportunities need to be created to listen to and act on feedback to ensure the plan addresses community concerns – remaining relevant to the community is key in this process

For the Sunshine Coast these strategies included:
• Transition Sunshine Coast opening up to the community – a community centre was open every Saturday morning to the public as ‘Transition Sunshine Coast’ – guest speakers, films, discussions, workshops, open days
• Film screenings – climate change and peak oil information movies – part of our Outreach Program
• Presentations on –  peak oil, climate change, energy descent preparedness, sustainable living, sustainable building, how to get involved in local programs, reskilling for the future, relocalisation, food supply, water, waste, composting and energy use…
• A local focus and perspective on these issues
• Facilitated sessions – garnering community opinions, open forums, open space events
• Workshops, think tanks, facilitated discussion, brainstorming and mindmapping
• Transition Sunshine Coast approaching community groups to deliver presentations; eg community groups not necessarily associated with environmental issues (eg RSLs)
• Presence at local events and festivals
• Public meetings
• Information collation
• Networking, liaising
• Community celebrations
• Website management

Others considerations for government
• In-house education program for all staff about climate change, peak oil and energy descent
• Councils partnering with community leaders to develop Transition Initiatives in their region
• Whole of government approach to addressing climate change and energy descent; waste, infrastructure, planning sections all involved – not just the environment division
• Identifying and addressing climate change and peak oil across policy and procedures, strategic planning and within key performance indicators
• Visual demonstrations of leadership by example – governments are in a unique position to influence the community. They can demonstrate a clear vision of actioning, partnering, inspiring and leading.
• Retrofitting of government owned buildings in preparation for energy descent
• Reducing carbon emissions within government organisations – setting ambitious targets, fuel efficient vehicles (clearly marked up as such), efficient energy use within buildings, grey water or waterless toilet systems, rainwater harvesting, green roofs (etc) on all buildings
• Insurance strategies in relation to homes and property – becoming increasingly urgent
• Exploring the economic/tourism advantages of being known as a ‘Transition Town’
• Council partnering with Transition Towns, local schools and universities to develop opportunities for students to be involved in researching and supporting these projects
• A planned, coordinated approach to rolling out Transition Initiatives and energy descent action planning as part of ongoing community planning for all councils in Australia

If you would like to find out more about Energy Descent Action Planning and Transition Initiatives and how they might apply to your area, please contact us

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