Caroline Kuzemko
Covid-19 and the Politics of Sustainable Energy Transitions
Kuzemko, Caroline; Bradshaw, Michael; Bridge, Gavin; Goldthau, Andreas; Jewell, Jessica; Overland, Indra; Scholten, Daniel; van de Graaf, Thijs; Westphal, Kirsten
Authors
Michael Bradshaw
Professor Gavin Bridge g.j.bridge@durham.ac.uk
Professor
Andreas Goldthau
Jessica Jewell
Indra Overland
Daniel Scholten
Thijs van de Graaf
Kirsten Westphal
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.
Citation
Kuzemko, C., Bradshaw, M., Bridge, G., Goldthau, A., Jewell, J., Overland, I., …Westphal, K. (2020). Covid-19 and the Politics of Sustainable Energy Transitions. Energy Research and Social Science, 68, Article 101685. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2020.101685
Journal Article Type | Article |
---|---|
Acceptance Date | Jun 24, 2020 |
Online Publication Date | Jul 2, 2020 |
Publication Date | 2020-10 |
Deposit Date | Jul 3, 2020 |
Publicly Available Date | Jul 2, 2021 |
Journal | Energy Research and Social Science |
Publisher | Elsevier |
Peer Reviewed | Peer Reviewed |
Volume | 68 |
Article Number | 101685 |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2020.101685 |
Public URL | https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1261355 |
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Publisher Licence URL
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Copyright Statement
© 2020 This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
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