Abstract
ABSTRACT The urgency of climate change means that low-carbon transitions are needed in large socio-technical systems such as energy and transportation. These transitions must be rapid, but also fair. An emerging body of evidence suggests that users have important roles in transitions, yet much previous research has examined user involvement while assuming it to be largely a positive force. This goes against a growing amount of evidence within sociotechnical studies that highlight the potentially obstructive or negative role that users may play in transitions and innovation. In this study, we pose a critical question: In what ways may users perpetuate injustices within a transition? To answer this question, we provide conceptual background on energy justice and user adoption of low-carbon energy and mobility technologies. We then analyse users and energy injustices in three low-carbon transitions – solar energy in Germany, electric vehicles in Norway, and smart meters in Great Britain – based on empirical data from interviews, focus groups, and internet forums. Our main contribution is to show how users in low-carbon transitions are not always positively engaged, or even neutral, but can introduce and contribute to inequality and exclusion.
Highlights
The urgency of climate change requires changes in how socio-technical systems such as electricity supply and transportation are designed and utilized
Previous studies analysing users in low-carbon transitions have largely highlighted the positive contributions users can have on innovation processes (Fursov, Thurner, and Nefedova 2017; Heiskanen and Matschoss 2016; Hyysalo, Juntunen, and Martiskainen 2018)
This study utilizes an energy justice approach to the exploration of user involvement in low-carbon transitions, asking: In what ways may users perpetuate injustices within a low-carbon transition? We provide a conceptual background on energy justice and user involvement in low-carbon transitions, and analyse users and energy injustice in three European low-carbon transitions based on empirical data
Summary
The urgency of climate change requires changes in how socio-technical systems such as electricity supply and transportation are designed and utilized. Polluting fossil fuel-based systems are no longer environmentally or socially admirable, requiring low-carbon transitions that shift one socio-technical system to another, often over a considerable period of time (Geels et al 2018). Previous studies analysing users in low-carbon transitions have largely highlighted the positive contributions users can have on innovation processes (Fursov, Thurner, and Nefedova 2017; Heiskanen and Matschoss 2016; Hyysalo, Juntunen, and Martiskainen 2018). This study utilizes an energy justice approach to the exploration of user involvement in low-carbon transitions, asking: In what ways may users perpetuate injustices within a low-carbon transition? We provide a conceptual background on energy justice and user involvement in low-carbon transitions, and analyse users and energy injustice in three European low-carbon transitions based on empirical data. Our main contribution is to show how user involvement in lowcarbon transitions may not always be positive, or even neutral, but can introduce injustices
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