Three sides to every story: Gender perspectives in energy transition pathways in Canada, Kenya and Spain

Lieu, Jenny; Şorman, Alevgül H.; Johnson, Oliver; Virla, Luis D.; Resurrección, Bernadette P.

doi:10.1016/j.erss.2020.101550

Cited by 103 publications

(81 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Nevertheless, to date, only limited attention has been paid to the demand side of energy transition. Recent, yet scarce, examples of research in the demand side include the multiple dimensions of structural changes [15] ; the role and readiness of individuals and households [16] ; psychological barriers at the household level [17] , the importance of social innovation and systemic forms of social change [18] ; challenges of energy sufficiency [19] and living within planetary boundaries; social justice [20] and gender aspects [21] .…”

Section: Acknowledging the Problemmentioning

confidence: 99%

The desirability of transitions in demand: Incorporating behavioural and societal transformations into energy modelling

Νίκας

Lieu

Şorman

et al. 2020

Energy Research & Social Science

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Quantitative systems modelling in support of climate policy has tended to focus more on the supply side in assessing interactions among technology, economy, environment, policy and society. By contrast, the demand side is usually underrepresented, often emphasising technological options for energy efficiency improvements. In this perspective, we argue that scientific support to climate action is not only about exploring capacity of “what”, in terms of policy and outcome, but also about assessing feasibility and desirability, in terms of “when”, “where” and especially for “whom”. Without the necessary behavioural and societal transformations, the world faces an inadequate response to the climate crisis challenge. This could result from poor uptake of low-carbon technologies, continued high-carbon intensive lifestyles, or economy-wide rebound effects. For this reason, we propose a framing for a holistic and transdisciplinary perspective on the role of human choices and behaviours in influencing the low-carbon transition, starting from the desires of individuals and communities, and analysing how these interact with the energy and economic landscape, leading to systemic change at the macro-level. In making a case for a political ecology agenda, we expand our scope, from comprehending the role of societal acceptance and uptake of end-use technologies, to co-developing knowledge with citizens from non-mainstream and marginalised communities, and to defining the modelling requirements to assess the decarbonisation potential of shifting lifestyle patterns in climate change and action.

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Section: Acknowledging the Problemmentioning

confidence: 99%

The desirability of transitions in demand: Incorporating behavioural and societal transformations into energy modelling

Νίκας

Lieu

Şorman

et al. 2020

Energy Research & Social Science

Self Cite

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show abstract

“…Although women play a vital role in shaping and driving energy transitions (see, for instance, Allen et al, 2019), this is still far from being the norm. The contemporary energy predicament undervalues and underestimates women's visions and solutions (Lieu et al, 2020). This landscape often renders women as the most vulnerable group feeling the brunt of unjust energy systems and decisions, with hardly any say on or representation in the directionality of change.…”

Section: The Gendered Nature Of Energy Transitionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Democratizing Energy, Energizing Democracy: Central Dimensions Surfacing in the Debate

2020

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This perspective piece sets out to contribute to the academic and practitioner debates around energy transitions and democracy initiatives in the age of a climate crisis. For tackling present-day energy challenges in a democratic, equitable and just manner, critical social science and humanities research on meaning and materialities, new actors and narratives, values and democracy is indispensable. In doing so, we centralize our work around three fundamental axes: The Concept, reflecting on the energy itself and revitalizing its essence; The Political, embracing the value laden, political and gendered nature of energy, and recognizing citizens' initiatives as counter currents to centralized energy decision-making; and The People, anticipating the far right's posttruth narratives that jeopardize planetary futures. We contend that "normative, political and embodied" research and praxis can serve for diversifying the energy transition debate as well as energizing bottom-up community led initiatives in order to democratize the energy playing field of recent times.

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“…What's complex about this level is that, in some cases, policy protects vulnerable and marginalised groups (such as women) from exploitation. However, in many cases, the gender dimension is largely absent in the technocratic description of sustainable transition [9]. Technocratic approaches, therefore, are too narrow for policy-making on complex sustainability issues involving high and divergent societal stakes and scientific uncertainties [8].…”

Section: Policy Levelmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies have shown that policies aimed at reducing energy consumption have more influence on women than on men [47]. Still, the policy-making process is the mainstream pathway, and is primarily a male domain [9]. One case study revealed that policies in a specific developed country do not challenge the mainstream route of the energy fossil fuel regime, and does not make room for the complex inequalities to which women are subject [9].…”

Section: Policy Levelmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Still, the policy-making process is the mainstream pathway, and is primarily a male domain [9]. One case study revealed that policies in a specific developed country do not challenge the mainstream route of the energy fossil fuel regime, and does not make room for the complex inequalities to which women are subject [9]. The authors expressed the urgent need to address gender-based issues and gendered analysis in decision-making at governmental level.…”

Section: Policy Levelmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The State of the Art of Gendered Energy Innovations: A Structured Literature Review

Merwe

Kock

Musango

2020

SAJIE

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Three sides to every story: Gender perspectives in energy transition pathways in Canada, Kenya and Spain

Cited by 103 publications

References 39 publications

The desirability of transitions in demand: Incorporating behavioural and societal transformations into energy modelling

The desirability of transitions in demand: Incorporating behavioural and societal transformations into energy modelling

Democratizing Energy, Energizing Democracy: Central Dimensions Surfacing in the Debate

The State of the Art of Gendered Energy Innovations: A Structured Literature Review

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