The governance of sociotechnical transformations to sustainability

Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 49, P. 143 - 152

Published: April 1, 2021

The contribution makes use of a sociotechnical imaginaries (STI) framework to expose crucial but neglected governance issues in areas key relevance sustainability transformations such as energy systems. It explores how the STI concept can contribute understanding (T2S) by illustrating their multidimensionality and temporality. takes its starting point 'co-productionist' view illuminating collective visions desirable (or resisted) environmental futures limit or enable political imagination search for alternative transformative practices. demonstrates focus on help reveal complex human needs, expectations, uses natural resources — associated societal phenomena T2S. By more explicitly addressing technical well normative dimensions T2S, this approach helps uncover taken-for-granted assumptions that often shut down potentially promising imaginations, visible alternate pathways possible constitutional relationships triad state society.

Language: Английский

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Circular Economy indicators for supply chains: A systematic literature review

Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 13, P. 100160 - 100160

Published: Nov. 25, 2021

Recently, the Circular Economy paradigm has emerged as an alternative to linear and unsustainable production consumption systems. However, no established indicator exists assist transition of supply chains a higher degree circularity; also, most literature on indicators focused firm rather than chain level analysis. Through Systematic Literature Review, this paper examines decision support tools, related indicators, employed for assessing performance Supply Chains in academic literature. In parallel, content analysis template technique are evaluate how Multi National Enterprises measure effect adoption practices their reports. Results synthesised two composite which aggregate commonly metrics. Findings show that both industrial practice scarce consideration social circularity measurements, focusing classical environmental impacts economic ones. literature, dimension is prevalent; practitioners seem communicate more often already adopted practices. This article also recognises different sometimes hidden worldview assumptions current highlighting paths toward possible depending value methodological choices. Future contributions should explicetly state these idea Economy.

Language: Английский

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Multisector Dynamics: Advancing the Science of Complex Adaptive Human‐Earth Systems

Earth s Future, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 10(3)

Published: Feb. 23, 2022

Abstract The field of MultiSector Dynamics (MSD) explores the dynamics and co‐evolutionary pathways human Earth systems with a focus on critical goods, services, amenities delivered to people through interdependent sectors. This commentary lays out core definitions concepts, identifies MSD science questions in context current state knowledge, describes ongoing activities expand capacities for open science, leverage revolutions data computing, grow diversify workforce. Central our vision is ambition advancing next generation complex adaptive human‐Earth better address interconnected risks, increase resilience, improve sustainability. will require convergent research integration ideas methods from multiple disciplines. Understanding tradeoffs, synergies, complexities that exist coupled particularly important energy transitions increased future shocks.

Language: Английский

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A better knowledge is possible: Transforming environmental science for justice and pluralism

Environmental Science & Policy, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 155, P. 103729 - 103729

Published: March 16, 2024

This article offers a critical analysis of environmental science that develops the argument has itself become an obstacle for transformations are needed to ensure human-ecological well-being. Due dominant norms and conceptualizations what is, how it should relate policy society, is contribute to, set continue serve vested interests seems unable break free from this pattern. deadlock situation related persistent patterns inequality marginalization in keep these place marginalize alternative forms knowledge, including social sciences humanities, better equipped support transformation. Inspired by feminist anti-colonial scholarship, I suggest transforming will require explicit refusal environment, commitment justice pluralism.

Language: Английский

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Irrigated areas drive irrigation water withdrawals

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: July 26, 2021

Abstract A sustainable management of global freshwater resources requires reliable estimates the water demanded by irrigated agriculture. This has been attempted Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) through country surveys censuses, or Global Models, which compute irrigation withdrawals with sub-models on crop types calendars, evapotranspiration, efficiencies, weather data areas, among others. Here we demonstrate that these strategies err side excess complexity, as values reported FAO outputted Models are largely conditioned areas their uncertainty. Modelling a function yields almost same results in much parsimonious way, while permitting exploration all model uncertainties. Our work offers robust more transparent approach to estimate one most important indicators guiding our policies security worldwide.

Language: Английский

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It Takes a Village to Run a Model—The Social Practices of Hydrological Modeling

Water Resources Research, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 58(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2022

Abstract Computer models are frequently used tools in hydrological research. Many decisions related to the model set‐up and configuration have be made before a can run, influencing results. This study is an empirical investigation of motivations for certain modeling decisions. Fourteen modelers from three different institutes were interviewed about their In total, 83 identified. Most team modeler themselves, “Experience colleagues” was most mentioned motivation. Both institutionalization internalization observed: introduce concept that subsequently becomes teams' standard, or internalize default approach. These processes depend on experience modeler. For selection, two types identified: (from colleagues themselves), vision (the has assets align with vision). Model studies mainly driven by context, such as time constraints, colleagues, facilities at institute, rather than epistemic (such aligning The role local context construction value assigned shows social constructs, making results time, place dependent. To account this estimation robustness results, we need diversity opinions, perspectives, approaches. requires transparent procedures explicit each study.

Language: Английский

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Quantifying Streamflow Depletion from Groundwater Pumping: A Practical Review of Past and Emerging Approaches for Water Management

JAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 58(2), P. 289 - 312

Published: Feb. 15, 2022

Abstract Groundwater pumping can cause reductions in streamflow (“streamflow depletion”) that must be quantified for conjunctive management of groundwater and surface water resources. However, depletion cannot measured directly is challenging to estimate because impacts are masked by variability due other factors. Here, we conduct a management‐focused review analytical, numerical, statistical models estimating highlight promising emerging approaches. Analytical easy implement, but include many assumptions about the stream aquifer. Numerical widely used assessment represent processes affecting streamflow, have high data, expertise, computational needs. Statistical approaches historically underutilized tool difficulty attributing causality, causal inference techniques merit future research development. We propose depletion‐related questions divided into three broad categories (attribution, impacts, mitigation) influence which methodology most appropriate. then develop decision criteria method selection based on suitability local conditions goal, actionability with current or obtainable data resources, transparency respect process uncertainties, reproducibility.

Language: Английский

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Transparency, trust, and integrated assessment models: An ethical consideration for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Climate Change, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: Oct. 8, 2020

Abstract Following the trenchant criticism of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report concerning lack transparency in integrated assessment models (IAMs), much attention has been given to addressing this issue preparation Sixth (AR6). The IAM an ongoing concern for approximately two decades regarding cloaking value‐laden assumptions and output uncertainties. Due opaque nature IAMs, credibility modeling results associated policy recommendations are patently limited, with policymakers inevitably having reservations as robustness outcomes deficit information underlying assumptions. In attempt address a usage by IPCC, database containing climate mitigation scenario ensemble which underpinned Special Global Warming 1.5°C was made publicly available, IAMC Scenario Explorer database. Despite database, omission critical model input data accompanying supporting documentation from its content fails fulfill raison d'être , that is say, ensure reproducibility transparency. If not fully addressed upcoming AR6 respect provision data, accompanied documentation, then IPCC will have failed meet own declared commitment cycle. This article categorized under: Integrated > Modeling

Language: Английский

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Knowledge architecture for the wise governance of sustainability transitions

Environmental Science & Policy, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 126, P. 152 - 163

Published: Oct. 13, 2021

The need for sustainability transitions is widely recognised, along with a concurrent the evolution of knowledge systems to inform more effective policy action. Although there are many new targets relating net zero emissions and other challenges, cities, regional national governments struggling rapidly develop transformational policies achieve them. As academics practitioners who work at science-policy interface, we identify specific competency needs governing related interlinked phases envisioning, implementing evaluating. In short, coordinated reforms both urgently needed address speed scale challenges. These include embedding thinking literacy, mainstreaming participatory making, expanding capacity undertake transdisciplinary research, adaptive governance continuous organisational learning. processes must guide further development, uptake use as part an iterative holistic process. Such deep-seated change in policy-knowledge will be disruptive presents challenges traditional models delivery, but essential successful transformations.

Language: Английский

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Science, the endless frontier of regulatory capture

Futures, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 135, P. 102860 - 102860

Published: Oct. 26, 2021

In this paper we explore five recent cases of regulatory capture in Europe and zoom on a form corporate penetration which is based strategic use the image legitimacy science. We examine lobbyists present themselves as upholders science evidence-based policy, intervene directly methodological ethical aspects for policy-making, thus imprinting their own agenda societal functions propose existence process whereby private interest ascend an ideal ‘epistemic ladder’. vision, lobbying intervention moves from questioning evidence to its legitimacy, all way acting create worldview where not only evidence, but very idea regulation, become irrelevant or undesirable, other than vehicle pursuit interest. Caught project, future appear vulnerable.

Language: Английский

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