Short answer

Integrate social and environmental justice considerations into the early stages of design for low-carbon technologies and systems to prevent unintended negative consequences.

Field: Resource Management
Source: Energy Research & Social Science (2021)
Method: Expert-guided literature review and meta-analysis of 198 studies and 332 case studies.
Sample: 198 studies, 332 case studies
Evidence: Strong effect

The implementation of low-carbon energy and land-use strategies can inadvertently result in environmental degradation, resource enclosure, and social exclusion, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. This resource management research insight is drawn from a 2021 study published in Energy Research & Social Science. Using Expert-guided literature review and meta-analysis of 198 studies and 332 case studies. with 198 studies, 332 case studies, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Integrate social and environmental justice considerations into the early stages of design for low-carbon technologies and systems to prevent unintended negative consequences.

Study

Resource ManagementHigh ImpactStrong effect

Low-Carbon Transitions Can Lead to Dispossession and Degradation

Energy Research & Social Science · 2021

Key Findings

01Low-carbon transitions can lead to enclosure of land and resources.
02Unfair planning processes can result in social exclusion.
03Environmental destruction (encroachment) is a consequence of some mitigation options.
04Existing inequalities and vulnerabilities can be worsened (entrenchment).

Application

Design takeaway

Integrate social and environmental justice considerations into the early stages of design for low-carbon technologies and systems to prevent unintended negative consequences.

How to apply

When designing renewable energy projects or sustainable land-use strategies, conduct thorough social impact assessments that specifically look for potential for enclosure, exclusion, encroachment, and entrenchment.

Project actions

01When researching a design problem related to energy or resources, look for studies that discuss the social and environmental justice aspects.
02Consider how your design might impact different groups of people and the environment in ways that aren't immediately obvious.

Method & Evidence

AimTo critically assess the energy justice implications of climate change mitigation strategies and identify the processes through which low-carbon transitions can lead to degradation and dispossession.

MethodExpert-guided literature review and meta-analysis of 198 studies and 332 case studies.

ProcedureThe study systematically reviewed existing literature on low-carbon transitions (e.g., renewable electricity, biofuels, nuclear power, smart grids, electric vehicles, land use management) to identify linkages with environmental degradation, dispossession, and destruction. It analyzed these linkages through the framework of enclosure, exclusion, encroachment, and entrenchment, examining variations by country, mitigation option, victim group, process, and severity.

Sample198 studies, 332 case studies

ContextClimate change mitigation, energy justice, political ecology, land use management.

Variables

IVTypes of low-carbon transitions (e.g., renewable electricity, biofuels, smart grids, electric vehicles, land use management).

DVDegradation, dispossession, destruction, enclosure, exclusion, encroachment, entrenchment of inequality/vulnerability.

CVCountry, mitigation option type, victim group, process, severity.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Comprehensive review of a large body of literature.
+Development of a clear analytical framework (enclosure, exclusion, encroachment, entrenchment).

Limitations

The findings are based on a synthesis of existing research, and the specific impacts can be highly context-dependent. It's important to avoid overgeneralization.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of the findings is supported by the systematic review of a large number of studies. Validity is enhanced by the use of a structured analytical framework and the examination of findings across various dimensions (country, technology, etc.).

Think critically

To what extent can the negative impacts of low-carbon transitions be mitigated through design interventions, and what are the inherent trade-offs between environmental goals and social equity?

Design Principles

"Design for equitable resource transition, ensuring that the benefits of low-carbon solutions are shared broadly and the burdens are not disproportionately borne by vulnerable groups."

Understanding the potential negative social and environmental consequences of low-carbon transitions is crucial for designers and engineers. It highlights the need to move beyond purely technical solutions and consider the broader socio-political and ecological impacts of design choices.

What This Means for Your Design

Even good ideas like switching to green energy can sometimes hurt people or the environment if we're not careful about how we do it. This research shows we need to think about fairness and who might be negatively affected.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify the need for a thorough stakeholder analysis and social impact assessment in your design project, especially if it involves resource management or energy transitions.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This study highlights that the implementation of low-carbon transitions, while essential for climate change mitigation, can lead to significant social and environmental injustices, including resource enclosure, exclusion, and degradation. Therefore, any design project aiming to contribute to sustainability must proactively address these potential negative externalities through inclusive stakeholder engagement and comprehensive impact assessments.

Source

Energy Research & Social Science

Who are the victims of low-carbon transitions? Towards a political ecology of climate change mitigation

journal · 2021

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about low-carbon transitions can lead to dispossession and degradation?: Integrate social and environmental justice considerations into the early stages of design for low-carbon technologies and systems to prevent unintended negative consequences. Evidence: Energy Research & Social Science (2021).
Why does "Low-Carbon Transitions Can Lead to Dispossession and Degradation" matter for design?: Understanding the potential negative social and environmental consequences of low-carbon transitions is crucial for designers and engineers. It highlights the need to move beyond purely technical solutions and consider the broader socio-political and ecological impacts of design choices.
How can designers apply this research?: Integrate social and environmental justice considerations into the early stages of design for low-carbon technologies and systems to prevent unintended negative consequences.
What were the main findings?: Low-carbon transitions can lead to enclosure of land and resources.. Unfair planning processes can result in social exclusion.. Environmental destruction (encroachment) is a consequence of some mitigation options.. Existing inequalities and vulnerabilities can be worsened (entrenchment).
What research method was used?: Expert-guided literature review and meta-analysis of 198 studies and 332 case studies. with 198 studies, 332 case studies.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2021 journal from Energy Research & Social Science.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing renewable energy projects or sustainable land-use strategies, conduct thorough social impact assessments that specifically look for potential for enclosure, exclusion, encroachment, and entrenchment.
What are the limitations?: The study is based on a review of existing literature, and the severity and prevalence of negative impacts can vary significantly across different contexts and specific technologies.