Abstract

NIMBY, an acronym for ‘Not In My Backyard’, refers to the local opposition to change in one's local area, but the support of the initiative in general. The acronym has prevailed in the Danish debate on renewable energy siting, particularly as one of the major concerns of constructing new wind farms across the country. However, as early as the 2000s, social scientists raised significant criticisms of the term, arguing that it was pejorative and an oversimplification of legitimate concerns. In this colloquium, I will critically examine the term, its main critiques, and its implications for the green transition. I will also nuance the debate by highlighting some of the common concerns raised against the construction of wind farms. Finally, I will present how we might be able to move beyond NIMBY as a concept whilst minimizing local opposition to the construction of wind turbines.