ABSTRACT
Consultation is increasingly viewed as a critical factor in renewable energy development, including ocean energy (OE) development. Failure to consult the community and other stakeholders and failure to employ the appropriate methods for consultation will, in many instances, impact the successful development and implementation of the OE project. This chapter provides a concise summary of key issues related to the principles and practices of consultation, drawing on renewable energy scholarly literature and specifically OE literature. Key concepts including ‘social license’ and ‘social acceptance’ are explored in more depth, as well as the role of consultation in mitigating conflict related to other uses of the marine environment.
