Understanding the uneven geography of urban energy transitions: insights from Edmonton, Canada

Abstract

Abstract Cities are important partners in developing solutions towards a low-carbon pathway. However, given the variation in geography, a need exists to study urban energy transitions through a nuanced approach that addresses space- and place-based factors. Based on document analysis and interviews with municipal employees and local energy experts in Edmonton, Canada, we explore how location and availability of energy sources, political territoriality, physical urban landscapes and social embeddedness of fossil fuels influence municipal energy transition. Results illustrate that while Edmonton is shaped by its fossil fuel geography, it is actively carving out its low-carbon future through a geographically rooted transition strategy.