Deadlock in transition to a net-zero socially robust knowledge

Abstract

Although Taiwan proposed 2020 to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, it has encountered difficulties making this transition. This research argues that climate issues involve epistemic politics and competition and those different discourses require the construction of socially robust knowledge (SRK) in reflexive, contextual confrontation, and competition. A society with strong SRK can lead the country’s net-zero carbon emissions decision, system, and transformation. This article analyses the types of environmental movements and the strength of their production of SRK with two cases that discusses the current lag of net-zero transition.The study found that the elements of successful transition include the same object of resistance, based on rational risk knowledge debate, and multi-level social mobilisation, which constitutes a strong SRK. A solid SRK package successfully reframes the development thinking of Taiwanese society. The net-zero movement needs a transparent object of resistance; environmental groups need to familiarise themselves with the issue of climate warming, resulting in a gap in appeals, mobilisation strategies, stages, and dominance. Although the latter still presents a certain degree of SRK and constitutes a policy of confrontation or competition with the government, the issues of appeal are pretty diverse, showing scattered initiatives. Folk-focused issues and discourses cannot build a strong agora, thus failing to reframe the social development framework and create more elements or opportunities for social transformation to a green path; as a result, Taiwan’s sluggish climate governance and net-zero transition have encountered dilemmas both at home and abroad.