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Linking internal and external transformation for sustainability and climate action : Towards a new research and policy agenda

Wamsler, Christine LU ; Osberg, Gustav LU orcid ; Osika, Walter ; Herndersson, Heidi and Mundaca, Luis LU orcid (2021) In Global Environmental Change 71.
Abstract

Climate change is an increasing threat to sustainable development worldwide. However, the dominant incremental policy approaches have not generated action at anywhere near the rate, scale or depth that is needed. This is largely due to the fact that climate change has historically been framed as a purely external, technical challenge. There is an urgent need for a more integral understanding that links internal and external (collective and systems) approaches to support transformation. However, related knowledge is scarce and fragmented across disciplines. This study addresses this gap. Through a systematic literature review, we analyse how the linkages between internal and external change are portrayed and understood in current... (More)

Climate change is an increasing threat to sustainable development worldwide. However, the dominant incremental policy approaches have not generated action at anywhere near the rate, scale or depth that is needed. This is largely due to the fact that climate change has historically been framed as a purely external, technical challenge. There is an urgent need for a more integral understanding that links internal and external (collective and systems) approaches to support transformation. However, related knowledge is scarce and fragmented across disciplines. This study addresses this gap. Through a systematic literature review, we analyse how the linkages between internal and external change are portrayed and understood in current research. We assess the scope, perspectives and approaches used to understand why, and how, internal change relates to climate action and sustainability. Our results highlight patterns and gaps regarding foci, conceptualisation, methods, epistemology, ontology and ethics that hamper emergent solutions and progress. Starting from the status quo, we propose an integrated model of change as an agenda and roadmap for future research, policy and practice.

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Climate change adaptation, Climate change mitigation, Environmental change, Inner transformation, Interiority, Paradigms, Relationality, Subjectivity, Values, Worldviews
in
Global Environmental Change
volume
71
article number
102373
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:85116624637
ISSN
0959-3780
DOI
10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2021.102373
project
Transition Visions: Coupling society, well-being and energy systems for transitioning to a fossil-free society
Agents of Change - Mind, cognitive bias and decision-making in a context of social and climate change
The Contemplative Sustainable Futures Program
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
Publisher Copyright: © 2021 The Author(s)
id
622613d2-2e0a-4334-b834-54150a8b28e8
date added to LUP
2021-10-28 12:23:20
date last changed
2024-06-16 22:01:28
@article{622613d2-2e0a-4334-b834-54150a8b28e8,
  abstract     = {{<p>Climate change is an increasing threat to sustainable development worldwide. However, the dominant incremental policy approaches have not generated action at anywhere near the rate, scale or depth that is needed. This is largely due to the fact that climate change has historically been framed as a purely external, technical challenge. There is an urgent need for a more integral understanding that links internal and external (collective and systems) approaches to support transformation. However, related knowledge is scarce and fragmented across disciplines. This study addresses this gap. Through a systematic literature review, we analyse how the linkages between internal and external change are portrayed and understood in current research. We assess the scope, perspectives and approaches used to understand why, and how, internal change relates to climate action and sustainability. Our results highlight patterns and gaps regarding foci, conceptualisation, methods, epistemology, ontology and ethics that hamper emergent solutions and progress. Starting from the status quo, we propose an integrated model of change as an agenda and roadmap for future research, policy and practice.</p>}},
  author       = {{Wamsler, Christine and Osberg, Gustav and Osika, Walter and Herndersson, Heidi and Mundaca, Luis}},
  issn         = {{0959-3780}},
  keywords     = {{Climate change adaptation; Climate change mitigation; Environmental change; Inner transformation; Interiority; Paradigms; Relationality; Subjectivity; Values; Worldviews}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{11}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Global Environmental Change}},
  title        = {{Linking internal and external transformation for sustainability and climate action : Towards a new research and policy agenda}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2021.102373}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2021.102373}},
  volume       = {{71}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}