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Sustainability transitions in consumption-production systems
Frank W Geels1, Florian Kern2, William C Clark3
1Manchester Institute of Innovation Research, Alliance Manchester Business School, The University of Manchester, Manchester M15 6PB, United Kingdom.
Summary
Achieving sustainable development requires faster transitions. This paper offers insights into conceptualizing, evolving, and guiding sustainability transitions through policy, drawing on societal interactions with nature and technology.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Sociology
- Technology Studies
Background:
- Growing recognition of the need for rapid and profound shifts towards sustainable development pathways.
- Extensive academic research and policy implementation efforts are underway to address this need.
- Consumption-production systems are a key focus in understanding societal interactions with nature and technology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present powerful insights on sustainability transitions from ongoing research and policy work.
- To highlight how sustainability transitions can be conceptualized, evolve, and be guided by policy.
- To identify unresolved "how" questions crucial for advancing sustainable development.
Main Methods:
- Synthesizing insights from solution-driven research and policy advice.
- Drawing on studies of human-environment interactions and human-technology interactions.
- Leveraging contributions from a PNAS Special Feature on sustainability transitions in consumption-production systems.
Main Results:
- Identified key insights into the conceptualization and evolution of sustainability transitions.
- Highlighted the role of deliberate policy interventions in shaping these transitions.
- Emphasized the interconnectedness of societal-environmental and societal-technological systems.
Conclusions:
- Understanding sustainability transitions requires integrating perspectives on nature and technology interactions.
- Further research is needed to address critical "how" questions for effective policy guidance.
- Bridging disciplinary divides is essential for advancing sustainable development pathways.
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