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Making the most of community energies: three perspectives on grassroots innovation

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 00:36 authored by Adrian SmithAdrian Smith, Tom Hargreaves, Sabine Hielscher, Mari MartiskainenMari Martiskainen, Gill Seyfang
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.

Funding

Community Innovation in Sustainable Energy; G0490; EPSRC-ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL; EP/H051139/1

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Environment and Planning A

ISSN

0308-518X

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Issue

2

Volume

48

Page range

407-432

Department affiliated with

  • SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2016-03-18

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2016-03-18

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2016-03-18

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