Bolton, R and Foxon, TJ (2014) A socio-technical perspective on low carbon investment challenges - Insights for UK energy policy. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions. ISSN 2210-4224
Abstract
The UK is moving into a new phase of energy governance which is characterised by significant demand for new investment to meet long term climate policy objectives and to address shorter term energy security challenges. This paper examines how contributions from the socio-technical systems approach can be operationalised to address the policy and societal challenge of large scale investments in low carbon energy infrastructure. Research on socio-technical transitions explores the dynamics of long term structural change in capital intensive systems such as energy, housing and water supply, seeking to redirect them towards more sustainable long term trajectories. Focusing on the UK electricity generation sector, the paper expands on three key low carbon investment challenges where socio-technical research can provide useful insights - (1) understanding long term uncertainty and investment risks; (2) avoiding technological lock-in; and (3) accelerating the diffusion of low carbon finance 'niches'.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2015 Author(s). This is an author produced version of a paper published in Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Electricity generation; Low carbon investment; Socio-technical systems |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Earth and Environment (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 23 Jan 2015 13:27 |
Last Modified: | 15 Jan 2018 23:24 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2014.07.005 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.eist.2014.07.005 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:82660 |