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Covid-19 and the politics of sustainable energy transitions
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Kuzemko, Caroline, Bradshaw, Michael J., Bridge, Gavin, Goldthau, Andreas, Jewell, Jessica, Overland, Indra, Scholten, Daniel, Van de Graaf, Thijs and Westphal, Kirsten (2020) Covid-19 and the politics of sustainable energy transitions. Energy Research & Social Science, 68 . 101685. doi:10.1016/j.erss.2020.101685
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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2020.101685
Abstract
In this perspectives piece, an interdisciplinary team of social science researchers considers the implications of Covid-19 for the politics of sustainable energy transitions. The emergency measures adopted by states, firms, and individuals in response to this global health crisis have driven a series of political, economic and social changes with potential to influence sustainable energy transitions. We identify some of the initial impacts of the ‘great lockdown’ on sustainable and fossil sources of energy, and consider how economic stimulus packages and social practices in the wake of the pandemic are likely to shape energy demand, the carbon-intensity of the energy system, and the speed of transitions. Adopting a broad multi-scalar and multi-actor approach to the analysis of energy system change, we highlight continuities and discontinuities with pre-pandemic trends. Discussion focuses on four key themes that shape the politics of sustainable energy transitions: (i) the short, medium and long-term temporalities of energy system change; (ii) practices of investment around clean-tech and divestment from fossil fuels; (iii) structures and scales of energy governance; and (iv) social practices around mobility, work and public health. While the effects of the pandemic continue to unfold, some of its sectoral and geographically differentiated impacts are already emerging. We conclude that the politics of sustainable energy transitions are now at a critical juncture, in which the form and direction of state support for post-pandemic economic recovery will be key.
| Item Type: | Journal Article | ||||||||
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| Subjects: | H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine T Technology > TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery |
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| Divisions: | Faculty of Social Sciences > Politics and International Studies Faculty of Social Sciences > Warwick Business School |
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| SWORD Depositor: | Library Publications Router | ||||||||
| Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | COVID-19 (Disease), Renewable energy sources, Fossil fuels -- Political aspects | ||||||||
| Journal or Publication Title: | Energy Research & Social Science | ||||||||
| Publisher: | Elsevier | ||||||||
| ISSN: | 22146296 | ||||||||
| Official Date: | October 2020 | ||||||||
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| Date of first compliant deposit: | 22 July 2020 | ||||||||
| Volume: | 68 | ||||||||
| Article Number: | 101685 | ||||||||
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.erss.2020.101685 | ||||||||
| Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||||||
| Publication Status: | Published | ||||||||
| Access rights to Published version: | Open Access | ||||||||
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