The low-carbon transformation—A social science perspective

Abstract

The authors consider only two great transformations in the history of human mankind to be comparable to the Great Transformation towards a global low-carbon economy faced now: the Neolithic Revolution and the Industrial Revolution. This paper discusses different social, economic, and cultural theories which might help to understand this far reaching socio-economic transformation and focus on specific arenas of change in which low-carbon dynamics occur. The authors argue that the technological, economic, and social main elements which will permit the transformation to be made to climate compatibility are already emerging. On the other hand the speed and geographical spread of the low-carbon dynamics are still not sufficient to avoid dangerous climate change.

Societal transformation in response to global environmental change: A review of emerging concepts

“…However, there is little consensus regarding the features that make change in human-environment systems 'transformational,' and therefore qualitatively different from 'nontransformational' shifts, and in fact, as some have noted (Berkhout 2013;Brown et al 2013;Mustelin and Handmer 2013), the wider conceptual bases of transformation, notions of its forms, and processes have been the subject of debate. Some scholars have identified important contrasts between the concepts of 'transformational adaptation' and 'societal transformation' (O'Brien and Barnett 2013), whereby the former tends to denote reactive change in spatially or functionally delimited systems and the latter may refer to the redesign of modern societies as a whole, a redirection of civilization that recalls the advent of market economies described by Polanyi in The Great Transformation (1944;Haberl et al 2011;Leggewie and Messner 2012).…”

Does Participation Foster Transformation Processes towards Sustainable Energy Systems? A Case Study of the German Energy Transformation

“…Societies must absorb new concepts and ideas to promote transformation processes towards sustainable energy systems [1]. It is for this reason that integrating different knowledge types and creating spaces to critically reflect on information, interests, and norms is crucial to the shift towards sustainable energy systems.…”

Who drives climate-relevant policies in the rising powers?

“…The most fundamental point is that there is no single line of causation: transformation results from a concurrence of multiple changes. This is the conclusion of Osterhammel (2014)'s history of the nineteenth century, Leggewie and Messner (2012)'s review of theory and history of transformations, and Geels and Schot (2007)'s analysis of big 'Technological Transitions'. This emphasis on the concurrence and interaction of multiple changes highlights the immensity of the challenge of formulating a theory of green transformations and conducting empirical research on causal connections.…”

“…When seeking historical parallels for the green transformation, reference is often made to the industrial revolution (Leggewie and Messner 2012;Mathews 2015). This is very helpful for bringing out the enormity of what needs to be achieved, but it also raises questions about the feasibility of a meaningful theory.…”