Caretakers as mediators in pro-environmental transition

TY - ABST

T1 - Caretakers as mediators in pro-environmental transition

AU - Petersen, Lars Kjerulf

N1 - Conference code: 5th

PY - 2021/2/10

Y1 - 2021/2/10

N2 - This presentation explores the role of building caretakers in everyday environmental management and in transition processes. The topic is approached through the concept of mediators (or intermediaries), which is discussed with reference to both transition theory and ANT. It is argued that mediators should be conceived as not only agents in processes of transition but also in the maintenance of (relatively) stable socio-technical configurations. It is furthermore argued that an important element in the mediation of socio-technical transition is local embedding and stabilization of these transitions. The presentation refers to an empirical study of caretakers’ management of waste separation schemes – which potentially feed into the production of biogas. The study suggests that caretakers can and indeed do mediate transitions, whether to advanced waste separation and utilization of food-waste for biogas or towards other pro-environmental transitions, but they do so mainly as a function of their core activities. As part of their continuous effort to keep their building’s infrastructures functional and keep its communal and recreational spaces as pleasant as possible, they take steps to integrate pro-environmental transition into the flow of the building’s daily operations, seeking to stabilize any rupture.

AB - This presentation explores the role of building caretakers in everyday environmental management and in transition processes. The topic is approached through the concept of mediators (or intermediaries), which is discussed with reference to both transition theory and ANT. It is argued that mediators should be conceived as not only agents in processes of transition but also in the maintenance of (relatively) stable socio-technical configurations. It is furthermore argued that an important element in the mediation of socio-technical transition is local embedding and stabilization of these transitions. The presentation refers to an empirical study of caretakers’ management of waste separation schemes – which potentially feed into the production of biogas. The study suggests that caretakers can and indeed do mediate transitions, whether to advanced waste separation and utilization of food-waste for biogas or towards other pro-environmental transitions, but they do so mainly as a function of their core activities. As part of their continuous effort to keep their building’s infrastructures functional and keep its communal and recreational spaces as pleasant as possible, they take steps to integrate pro-environmental transition into the flow of the building’s daily operations, seeking to stabilize any rupture.

KW - Caretakers

KW - mediators

KW - intermediaries

KW - SDGCircularEconomy

M3 - Conference abstract for conference

T2 - Energy & Society Conference

Y2 - 10 February 2021 through 12 February 2021

ER -