TY - JOUR
T1 - Inclusive innovation in just transitions
T2 - The case of smart local energy systems in the UK
AU - Smith, Adrian
AU - Contreras, Gerardo A.Torres
AU - Brisbois, Marie Claire
AU - Lacey-Barnacle, Max
AU - Sovacool, Benjamin K.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Author(s)
PY - 2023/6
Y1 - 2023/6
N2 - Inclusive innovation addresses the challenges and aspirations of poor and marginalised groups in society. Attention towards these groups is also important for social justice in sustainable transitions. How can research insights from inclusive innovation contribute to just transitions? In this paper, based on original mixed methods data, analysis built around levels of inclusion is applied empirically to the case of smart local energy systems in the UK. Despite innovators acknowledging inclusiveness as significant for their decarbonised, decentralised and digitalised transition goals, inclusion operates currently at low levels owing to the prevalence of a liberal-individualist approach to justice in the electricity regime. Noting efforts (and constraints) in higher-level inclusion in some demonstration projects, we discuss whether and how social-collectivist approaches to justice open up more transformative possibilities. The case illustrates how analysis of relations between justice and inclusion can invite more transformational innovation policies.
AB - Inclusive innovation addresses the challenges and aspirations of poor and marginalised groups in society. Attention towards these groups is also important for social justice in sustainable transitions. How can research insights from inclusive innovation contribute to just transitions? In this paper, based on original mixed methods data, analysis built around levels of inclusion is applied empirically to the case of smart local energy systems in the UK. Despite innovators acknowledging inclusiveness as significant for their decarbonised, decentralised and digitalised transition goals, inclusion operates currently at low levels owing to the prevalence of a liberal-individualist approach to justice in the electricity regime. Noting efforts (and constraints) in higher-level inclusion in some demonstration projects, we discuss whether and how social-collectivist approaches to justice open up more transformative possibilities. The case illustrates how analysis of relations between justice and inclusion can invite more transformational innovation policies.
KW - Digitalisation
KW - Energy justice
KW - Inclusive innovation
KW - Just transitions
KW - Smart local energy systems
KW - Systems innovation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85149888678&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.eist.2023.100719
DO - 10.1016/j.eist.2023.100719
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:85149888678
SN - 2210-4224
VL - 47
JO - Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions
JF - Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions
M1 - 100719
ER -