A framework to assess the degrowth transformative capacity of niche initiatives
(2024) In Degrowth journal 2.- Abstract
- As humanity faces multiple mutually-reinforcing social-ecological crises, rhetoric on transformations abounds. However, transformations are normative, politically-contested processes that risk perpetuating, or even exacerbating, the ecological and socio-economic crises of today. We argue that transformations should seek to enhance human and non-human well-being within the planetary boundaries; a goal that is enshrined in degrowth theory. In this paper, we present an analytical framework that synthesises key concepts from transformations and degrowth literature against which a niche initiative’s degrowth transformative capacity can be evaluated. This is based on a set of 32 qualitative, codable criteria. We delineate the constitutive... (More)
- As humanity faces multiple mutually-reinforcing social-ecological crises, rhetoric on transformations abounds. However, transformations are normative, politically-contested processes that risk perpetuating, or even exacerbating, the ecological and socio-economic crises of today. We argue that transformations should seek to enhance human and non-human well-being within the planetary boundaries; a goal that is enshrined in degrowth theory. In this paper, we present an analytical framework that synthesises key concepts from transformations and degrowth literature against which a niche initiative’s degrowth transformative capacity can be evaluated. This is based on a set of 32 qualitative, codable criteria. We delineate the constitutive elements of degrowth transformative capacity based on five key elements: 1) Degrowth Goals and Visions, 2) Building Networks, 3) Empowerment and Learning, 4) Democratic Governance, and 5) Fair Resource Flows. We then illustrate the usefulness of this framework by presenting a comparison of seven energy communities in Greece, in terms of their degrowth transformative capacity. The framework can be seen as a descriptive starting point that can be expanded or adapted by academics and/or practitioners to explore degrowth futures and degrowth transformative capacity in other sectors (e. g., food or transportation) and contexts (e. g., Global South countries). (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/d502e798-d79d-44b7-b6e5-7e0cb6425c58
- author
- Vrettos, Chris ; Hinton, Jennifer B. LU and Pereira, Laura
- organization
- publishing date
- 2024-05-17
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Degrowth, post-growth, Transformation, Sustainability, Sustainable development
- in
- Degrowth journal
- volume
- 2
- article number
- 00054
- pages
- 36 pages
- ISSN
- 2977-1951
- DOI
- 10.36399/Degrowth.002.01.07
- project
- Postgrowth Welfare Systems
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- d502e798-d79d-44b7-b6e5-7e0cb6425c58
- date added to LUP
- 2024-05-20 10:54:56
- date last changed
- 2024-06-05 11:04:39
@article{d502e798-d79d-44b7-b6e5-7e0cb6425c58,
abstract = {{As humanity faces multiple mutually-reinforcing social-ecological crises, rhetoric on transformations abounds. However, transformations are normative, politically-contested processes that risk perpetuating, or even exacerbating, the ecological and socio-economic crises of today. We argue that transformations should seek to enhance human and non-human well-being within the planetary boundaries; a goal that is enshrined in degrowth theory. In this paper, we present an analytical framework that synthesises key concepts from transformations and degrowth literature against which a niche initiative’s degrowth transformative capacity can be evaluated. This is based on a set of 32 qualitative, codable criteria. We delineate the constitutive elements of degrowth transformative capacity based on five key elements: 1) Degrowth Goals and Visions, 2) Building Networks, 3) Empowerment and Learning, 4) Democratic Governance, and 5) Fair Resource Flows. We then illustrate the usefulness of this framework by presenting a comparison of seven energy communities in Greece, in terms of their degrowth transformative capacity. The framework can be seen as a descriptive starting point that can be expanded or adapted by academics and/or practitioners to explore degrowth futures and degrowth transformative capacity in other sectors (e. g., food or transportation) and contexts (e. g., Global South countries).}},
author = {{Vrettos, Chris and Hinton, Jennifer B. and Pereira, Laura}},
issn = {{2977-1951}},
keywords = {{Degrowth; post-growth; Transformation; Sustainability; Sustainable development}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{05}},
series = {{Degrowth journal}},
title = {{A framework to assess the degrowth transformative capacity of niche initiatives}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.36399/Degrowth.002.01.07}},
doi = {{10.36399/Degrowth.002.01.07}},
volume = {{2}},
year = {{2024}},
}