Projects per year
Abstract
Grassroots innovations for sustainability are attracting increasing policy attention. Drawing upon a wide range of empirical research into community energy in the UK, and taking recent support from national government as a case study, we apply three distinct analytical perspectives: strategic niche management; niche policy advocacy; and critical niches. Whilst the first and second perspectives appear to explain policy influence in grassroots innovation adequately, each also shuts out more transformational possibilities. We therefore argue that, if grassroots innovation is to realise its full potential, then we need to also pursue a third, critical niches perspective, and open up debate about more socially transformative pathways to sustainability.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 407-432 |
Number of pages | 26 |
Journal | Environment and Planning A |
Volume | 48 |
Issue number | 2 |
Early online date | 12 Aug 2015 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Feb 2016 |
Profiles
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Tom Hargreaves
- School of Environmental Sciences - Associate Professor
- Environmental Social Sciences - Member
- Science, Society and Sustainability - Member
- ClimateUEA - Member
Person: Research Group Member, Academic, Teaching & Research
Projects
- 1 Finished
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Community Innovation in Sustainable Energy
Seyfang, G.
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
31/10/10 → 31/03/14
Project: Research
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A grassroots sustainable energy niche?: Reflections on community energy in the UK
Seyfang, G., Hielscher, S., Hargreaves, T., Martiskainen, M. & Smith, A., Dec 2014, In: Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions. 13, p. 21-44 24 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access327 Citations (Scopus) -
A thousand flowers blooming? An examination of community energy in the UK
Seyfang, G., Park, J. J. & Smith, A., Oct 2013, In: Energy Policy. 61, p. 977-989 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
448 Citations (Scopus) -
Grassroots Innovations for Sustainable Energy: Exploring niche development processes among community energy initiatives
Hielscher, S., Seyfang, G. & Smith, A., 2013, Innovations in Sustainable Consumption: New Economics, Socio-technical Transitions, and Social Practices. Cohen, M. J., Brown, H. S. & Vergragt, P. J. (eds.). Edward Elgar, p. 133-158 26 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter