Abstract
This conceptual paper applies a mobilization model to Collective Action Initiatives (CAIs) in the energy sector. The goal is to synthesize aspects of sustainable transition theories with social movement theory to gain insights into how CAIs mobilize to bring about niche-regime change in the context of the sustainable energy transition. First, we demonstrate how energy communities, as a representation of CAIs, relate to social innovation. We then discuss how CAIs in the energy sector are understood within both sustainability transition theory and institutional dynamics theory. While these theories are adept at describing the role energy CAIs have in the energy transition, they do not yet offer much insight concerning the underlying social dimensions for the formation and upscaling of energy CAIs. Therefore, we adapt and apply a mobilization model to gain insight into the dimensions of mobilization and upscaling of CAIs in the energy sector. By doing so we show that the expanding role of CAIs in the energy sector is a function of their power acquisition through mobilization processes. We conclude with a look at future opportunities and challenges of CAIs in the energy transition.
Highlights
In this conceptual paper, we develop a framework to better understand mobilization of Collective Action Initiatives (CAIs) within the energy sector
This paper augments sustainable transition theory with social movement theory to better understand the role of social innovation and CAIs within the energy sector
Seyfang et al [6] highlight that by enabling and empowering communities to collectively change their social, economic, and technical contexts to transition to more sustainable lives, their ideological commitment to sustainability and community energy projects helps groups and individuals to overcome the structural limitations of individualistic measures by bringing communities together with a common purpose
Summary
We develop a framework to better understand mobilization of Collective Action Initiatives (CAIs) within the energy sector. Törnberg [12] recognizes that socio-technical transition theory may support theory development in the social movement literature By combining these perspectives, this allows us to address issues regarding how social movements break through and change social systems, as well as how social innovation can lead to institutional reform. This, in turn, can have lasting effects on policy making to support the sustainability and scaling up of CAIs. This paper augments sustainable transition theory with social movement theory to better understand the role of social innovation and CAIs within the energy sector. This perspective allows us to discuss the generative and innovative power in mobilizations against the status quo and explore why some CAIs are successful and others are not
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