2025-01-14 ドイツ・サステナビリティ研究所(IASS)
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Transforming lifestyles through structural change: Paving the way for sustainable consumption and vibrant public spaces.
＜関連情報＞
- https://www.rifs-potsdam.de/en/news/how-can-researchers-measure-impact-structural-changes-sustainability-transformations
- https://bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journals/consoc/4/1/article-p122.xml
持続可能な消費とライフスタイル研究における構造変化の影響の評価 Assessing the impact of structural change in sustainable consumption and lifestyles research
Doris Fuchs,Ariane Debourdeau,Elisabeth Dütschke,Frances Fahy,Giulia Garzon,Benjamin Kirchler,Christian A. Klöckner, and Marlyne Sahakian
Consumption and Society Published:07 Oct 2024
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1332/27528499Y2024D000000033
Abstract
Scientific evidence highlights the pivotal role for structural change in pursuit of the sustainability transformation. A particular challenge for research on structural aspects of sustainable consumption and lifestyles, however, is the assessment of their impact. Especially quantifying the impact of structural change remains a serious problem. While some forms of structural change can be quantified, like the rate of building renovations, changes in the energy mix at the production level, or trends in access to health care or education, the impact of other changes such as societal narratives about wellbeing, political campaigns on energy technologies or policies, or the abandonment of the growth paradigm defy easy quantification. This article aims to shed light on potential avenues for quantitatively assessing the impact of structural change drawing on insights gained by a group of international and interdisciplinary research consortia funded by the European Union in the area of sustainable consumption, citizenship, and lifestyles research. It delineates strengths and weaknesses of different approaches, foci and blindspots of associated data types. Thereby, it highlights fundamental decisions that need to be made in research designs, but also important aspects to consider in the interpretation of results. Finally, the article highlights the particular challenges related to assessing the impact of deep political and ideational structures.
Key messages
- Importance of analysing impact of structures in sustainable consumption and lifestyles research.
- Challenges involved in quantitative assessments.
- Different methods and data types allow recognition of different structures.
- Fundamental challenges remain with respect to assessment of particularly powerful political and ideational structures.
