The Political Economy Of The Low-carbon Transition: Pathways Beyond Techno-optimism (international Political Economy Series)
by Peadar Kirby /
2017 / English / PDF
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This book addresses the global need to transition to a
low-carbon society and economy by 2050. The authors interrogate
the dominant frames used for understanding this challenge and
the predominant policy approaches for achieving it.
Highlighting the techno-optimism that informs our current
understanding and policy options, Kirby and O’Mahony draw on
the lessons of international development to situate the
transition within a political economy framework. Assisted by
thinking on future scenarios, they critically examine the range
of pathways being implemented by both developed and developing
countries, identifying the prevailing forms of climate
capitalism led by technology. Based on evidence that this is
inadequate to achieve a low-carbon and sustainable society, the
authors identify an alternative approach. This advance emerges
from community initiatives, discussions on postcapitalism and
debates about wellbeing and degrowth. The re-positioning of
society and environment at the core of development can be
labelled “ecosocialism” – a concept which must be tempered
against the conditions created by Trumpism and Brexit.
This book addresses the global need to transition to a
low-carbon society and economy by 2050. The authors interrogate
the dominant frames used for understanding this challenge and
the predominant policy approaches for achieving it.
Highlighting the techno-optimism that informs our current
understanding and policy options, Kirby and O’Mahony draw on
the lessons of international development to situate the
transition within a political economy framework. Assisted by
thinking on future scenarios, they critically examine the range
of pathways being implemented by both developed and developing
countries, identifying the prevailing forms of climate
capitalism led by technology. Based on evidence that this is
inadequate to achieve a low-carbon and sustainable society, the
authors identify an alternative approach. This advance emerges
from community initiatives, discussions on postcapitalism and
debates about wellbeing and degrowth. The re-positioning of
society and environment at the core of development can be
labelled “ecosocialism” – a concept which must be tempered
against the conditions created by Trumpism and Brexit.