Renewable energy, neoliberal governance and the tragedy of the Cornish commons

<jats:p>In this commentary I explore new forms of government‐sponsored neoliberal environmental governance being pursued under the banner of the green economy to promote renewable energy in the <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">UK</jats:styled-content>. Drawing on analysis of the <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">UK</jats:styled-content> feed‐in tariff and controversies over single wind turbine developments in <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">C</jats:styled-content>ornwall, I highlight problematic features of combining centrally‐driven government agendas with market instruments for the safeguarding of procedural and distributive justice in local planning procedures. I conclude by offering brief suggestions for reinserting local justice into decision‐making on renewable energy siting.</jats:p>