Reflections on IPCC process and ‘strengthened global response’ (chapter 4)

Professor Frank GeelsSustainable Consumption Institute

Manchester Institute of Innovation Research

The University of Manchester

General struggle between academic communities

‘Traditional’ IPCC sciences Social science(s)Topic orientation

Understand the problem (and some solutions)

Solution oriented: “transitions”, “transformations”

Philosophy of science

Positivist (model-based, quantitative)

Positivist, interpretivist, critical realist

Substantive focus

Physical climate and techno-economics

Techno-economic, socio-cultural, political, conflict

Rhetorical labelling

“objective”, “sound science”, “un-biased”, “reliability statements”

“normative”, “prescriptive”, “subjective”

Chapter 4: Strengthening the global response (+ implementation)

• Text formulated in abstract ‘managerial’ terms: options, deployment, systems, structures, levers of change

• Tendency to assess techno-economic dimensions: costs, benefits, finance, price/performance

Challenge to also ensure attention is paid to:• Actors: business, consumers, policymakers, cities, civil society• Motivations: interests, beliefs, identities, social networks, • Change processes: learning, capabilities, resources,

meanings/discourses, social acceptance, power, politics, resistance.

Challenge 1: Broaden beyond rational choice ontology

Challenge 2: Scales/levels• Understandable tendency to focus on global level (‘old’

focus on international negotiations/targets) ‘Average’ dynamics look slow + gradual

• But this risks ignoring the many real-world activities, efforts at other levels: countries, sectors, cities, local projects

Examples of fast and non-linear change

• Need for multi-scalar understanding and how the levels relate

Need for stronger policies to accelerate change

• Innovation policies to nurture solutions (broadly understood)

• Environmental policies (regulations, taxes, subsidies) to change markets and selection environment [much resistance]

• Development policies (finance, capability building, institutional capacity)

Stronger political willStrong policies require political will, which is shaped by• International pressure (agreements, targets and ‘deals’)• Pressure from civil society, public discourse (‘legitimacy’, social

acceptance• Pressure from business coalitions (new entrants and willing

incumbents)• Working exemplars ‘on the ground’ (to overcome ‘scepticism’)• Positive discourse (co-benefits, green growth, jobs, quality of

life)• ‘Bottom-up’ pressure (cities, communities, green entrepreneurs)

Social sciences can offer relevant insights, which will hopefully find a place into special report (????)