Analyzing Strategic Interaction of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development in the UK Renewable Energy Sector: The Case of London Array Offshore Wind Farm

Abstract

The impetus of this research study is to analyse the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on sustainable development (SD) in the offshore wind farms as a form of renewable energy power generation in the UK; it will be particularly focused on the London Array Project in the outer Thames Estuary as this is the most extensive offshore wind farm in the world. The study will seek to interrogate to what extent the UK offshore wind industry contributes to SD, likewise it will analyse the effectiveness of the strategy in tackling climate change and achieving the 2020 targets. It will argue that though is a single case, it is indicative of the role of the CSR and SD in the industry. Since London Array is the most representative large scale renewable energy project, it allows assessing the opportunities and limitations of the strategy to provide jobs, economic growth and cut emissions across the energy sector. The significance of the study lays on the fact that offshore wind plays a key role in the transition to more sustainable and secure energy systems while helping to support the community which represents a key factor when evaluating the integration of CSR into the renewable energy business strategies and operations. This research will be based on an inductive and analytical content, analysis of the offshore renewable energy strategy and on a series of open ended interviews with entities involved in the sector so as to assess the weaknesses and the strengths of the strategy in providing sustainability and efficacy dealing with the global warming problem.

Keywords: sustainable development, corporate social responsibility, renewable energy, offshore wind, climate change, London Array, 2020 targets

JEL Classification: M14, Q20, Q42, Q48