STEPS Working Paper 69
by David Tyfield, Adrian Ely, Frauke Urban, Sam Geall, Dennis Zuev and John Urry
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China’s potential transition to a low-carbon, climate resilient or ‘post-carbon’ society is a key concern for the world. There is an urgent need for better understanding of these processes, posing major challenges for social science given the complex, systemic and emergent nature of the multiple changes involved in possible transitions. This report outlines the background to a project assessing the status of, and opportunities for, low-carbon transitions in China by going beyond existing technology-focused approaches to innovation. This involves a re-insertion and reconceptualization of power within the processes of low-carbon transitions across socio-technical systems, and with greater attention paid to everyday social practices of both ‘users’ and producers.

This is the first in a series of 4 reports from the STEPS affiliate project Low Carbon Innovation in China: Prospects, Politics and Practice.