Inclusive innovation in just transitions: The case of smart local energy systems in the UK

Adrian Smith; Gerardo A.Torres Contreras; Marie Claire Brisbois; Max Lacey-Barnacle; Benjamin K. Sovacool

doi:10.1016/j.eist.2023.100719

Inclusive innovation in just transitions: The case of smart local energy systems in the UK

Adrian Smith^*, Gerardo A.Torres Contreras, Marie Claire Brisbois, Max Lacey-Barnacle, Benjamin K. Sovacool

^*Corresponding author for this work

Department of Business Development and Technology

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaper › Journal article › Research › peer-review

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Abstract

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.

Original language	English
Article number	100719
Journal	Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions
Volume	47
Number of pages	27
ISSN	2210-4224
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2023.100719
Publication status	Published - Jun 2023

Keywords

Digitalisation
Energy justice
Inclusive innovation
Just transitions
Smart local energy systems
Systems innovation

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abstract = "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.",

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Inclusive innovation in just transitions: The case of smart local energy systems in the UK. / Smith, Adrian; Contreras, Gerardo A.Torres; Brisbois, Marie Claire et al.
In: Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, Vol. 47, 100719, 06.2023.

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaper › Journal article › Research › peer-review

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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.

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JO - Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions

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Inclusive innovation in just transitions: The case of smart local energy systems in the UK

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