The Political Economy of the Low-Carbon Transition [electronic resource] : Pathways Beyond Techno-Optimism /
Kirby, Peadar.author.
O'Mahony, Tadhg.author.
This book addresses the global need to transition to a low-carbon society and economy by 2050. The authors interrogate the dominant frames used for understanding this challenge and the predominant policy approaches for achieving it. Highlighting the techno-optimism that informs our current understanding and policy options, Kirby and O'Mahony draw on the lessons of international development to situate the transition within a political economy framework. Assisted by thinking on future scenarios, they critically examine the range of pathways being implemented by both developed and developing countries, identifying the prevailing forms of climate capitalism led by technology. Based on evidence that this is inadequate to achieve a low-carbon and sustainable society, the authors identify an alternative approach. This advance emerges from community initiatives, discussions on postcapitalism and debates about wellbeing and degrowth. The re-positioning of society and environment at the core of development can be labelled "ecosocialism" - a concept which must be tempered against the conditions created by Trumpism and Brexit.
Includes bibliographical references at the end of each chapters and index.
Section I: Climate change as problem -- Chapter 1: Defining the problem: The complex dimensions of the grave new threats we face -- Chapter 2: Framing the problem: How the climate change message is constructed -- Chapter 3: Addressing the problem: Understanding low-carbon transition with the social sciences -- Section II: Development pathways and the low-carbon future -- Chapter 4: Development models: Lessons from international development -- Chapter 5: Planning future pathways: Implications and outcomes of scenario studies -- Section III: Pathways in developed and developing countries -- Chapter 6: Development and sustainability in the wealthiest regions: Taking the high road? -- Chapter 7: Development and sustainability in the global South: Different routes to transition and a sustainable society -- Section IV: Pathways to a low-carbon future -- Chapter 8: Climate capitalism: How far can it get us? -- Chapter 9: Identifying an emerging paradigm: Towards ecosocialism? -- Chapter 10: Options and prospects for a global low-carbon transition.
This book addresses the global need to transition to a low-carbon society and economy by 2050. The authors interrogate the dominant frames used for understanding this challenge and the predominant policy approaches for achieving it. Highlighting the techno-optimism that informs our current understanding and policy options, Kirby and O'Mahony draw on the lessons of international development to situate the transition within a political economy framework. Assisted by thinking on future scenarios, they critically examine the range of pathways being implemented by both developed and developing countries, identifying the prevailing forms of climate capitalism led by technology. Based on evidence that this is inadequate to achieve a low-carbon and sustainable society, the authors identify an alternative approach. This advance emerges from community initiatives, discussions on postcapitalism and debates about wellbeing and degrowth. The re-positioning of society and environment at the core of development can be labelled "ecosocialism" - a concept which must be tempered against the conditions created by Trumpism and Brexit.
Political economy.
Economic development.
Social change.
Climate change.
Economic policy.
Economic development-Environmental aspects.
International Political Economy.
Development and Social Change.
Climate Change.
Climate Change Management and Policy.
Development Policy.
Development and Sustainability.