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Putting practice into policy: reconfiguring questions of consumption and climate change

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  • Elizabeth Shove

Abstract

Understanding how societies change is core business for the social sciences and there is no shortage of theories about how transitions come about. Despite this reservoir of ideas, efforts to promote more sustainable patterns of consumer behaviour draw upon a remarkably narrow range of conceptual resources. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the potential and the relevance of paradigms that lie outside the dominant discourses and traditions of economics and psychology. The method is to detail the implications of a handful of key propositions anchored in a 'strong' interpretation of practice theory. By organising this discussion around an invented conversation between a fictional policy-maker and an equally fictional social scientist, the paper explores further questions regarding the role of social theory and evidence in contemporary policy.

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  • Elizabeth Shove, 2014. "Putting practice into policy: reconfiguring questions of consumption and climate change," Contemporary Social Science, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 9(4), pages 415-429, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rsocxx:v:9:y:2014:i:4:p:415-429
    DOI: 10.1080/21582041.2012.692484
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Low, Nicholas & Astle, Rachel, 2009. "Path dependence in urban transport: An institutional analysis of urban passenger transport in Melbourne, Australia, 1956-2006," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 16(2), pages 47-58, March.
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    2. Idahosa, Love Odion & Akotey, Joseph Oscar, 2021. "A social constructionist approach to managing HVAC energy consumption using social norms – A randomised field experiment," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    3. Filippo Corsini & Rafael Laurenti & Franziska Meinherz & Francesco Paolo Appio & Luca Mora, 2019. "The Advent of Practice Theories in Research on Sustainable Consumption: Past, Current and Future Directions of the Field," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-19, January.
    4. Alexandra Jurgilevich & Traci Birge & Johanna Kentala-Lehtonen & Kaisa Korhonen-Kurki & Janna Pietikäinen & Laura Saikku & Hanna Schösler, 2016. "Transition towards Circular Economy in the Food System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-14, January.
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    6. Arve Hansen, 2022. "Negotiating Unsustainable Food Transformations: Development, Middle Classes and Everyday Food Practices in Vietnam," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 34(3), pages 1441-1459, June.
    7. Mahreen Junaid, 2022. "The Consciousness in Dreams, Film, and Architecture," European Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies Articles, Revistia Research and Publishing, vol. 7, January -.
    8. Lena Kilian & Anne Owen & Andy Newing & Diana Ivanova, 2022. "Exploring Transport Consumption-Based Emissions: Spatial Patterns, Social Factors, Well-Being, and Policy Implications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-26, September.
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    13. Kinga Nagyné Pércsi & Apolka Ujj & Paulina Jancsovszka, 2023. "Segmentation of Hungarian Consumers Based on Circular Economy Values and Awareness of Food Waste," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-18, May.
    14. Goulden, Murray & Spence, Alexa & Wardman, Jamie & Leygue, Caroline, 2018. "Differentiating ‘the user’ in DSR: Developing demand side response in advanced economies," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 176-185.
    15. Chris Butters, 2021. "Myths and Issues about Sustainable Living," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-24, July.
    16. Kadambari Lokesh & Luana Ladu & Louise Summerton, 2018. "Bridging the Gaps for a ‘Circular’ Bioeconomy: Selection Criteria, Bio-Based Value Chain and Stakeholder Mapping," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-24, May.
    17. Lamers, Machiel & van der Duim, René & Spaargaren, Gert, 2017. "The relevance of practice theories for tourism research," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 54-63.
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    19. Marisa Faggini & Silvia Cosimato & Anna Parziale, 2023. "The way towards food sustainability: some insights for pasta supply chain," Economia Politica: Journal of Analytical and Institutional Economics, Springer;Fondazione Edison, vol. 40(2), pages 679-702, July.

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