Religious agency in sustainability transitions: Between experimentation, upscaling, and regime support

Abstract

Research in the field of sustainability transitions (STs) has significantly extended our knowledge of variables influencing these processes. However, the field so far has barely considered religion. The bourgeoning debate on religion and ecology (RED), in contrast, highlights the potentials for religion to address environmental challenges. This article brings both academic debates together, systematizing and describing three types of religious agency from a transitions perspective: experimentation, upscaling, and regime support. These become manifest in ST processes at two levels: (a) internal transitions within religious organizations and (b) broader societal STs. Discussing transition activities of religious actors at these two levels, the article highlights the religious agency in STs, thereby contrasting existing transitions research where religion is often regarded as a passive landscape variable.