The transformation of provisioning systems from an integrated perspective of social metabolism and political economy

A conceptual framework

Datos Bibliográficos

ID12950596
AutoresA Schaffartzik (0000-0002-0284-6099, Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona, autor de correspondencia), Melanie Pichler (0000-0001-6224-1609, BOKU University), Eric Pineault (0000-0001-8864-3040, Université du Québec à Montréal), Dominik Wiedenhofer (0000-0001-7418-3477, BOKU University), Robert A Gro (0000-0002-7715-7482, Universität Innsbruck), H Haberl (0000-0003-2104-5446, BOKU University)
Año2021
Volumen16
Número5
Páginas1405-1421
Fecha de publicación2021-04-18
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaSustainability Science (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1862-4057 • E-ISSN: 1862-4065
EditorialSpringer Science+Business Media (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1007/s11625-021-00952-9
PMID34721700
OpenAlexW3154364592
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas20
Referencias citadas107

Energy, food, or mobility can be conceptualized as provisioning systems which are decisive to sustainability transformations in how they shape resource use and because of emissions resulting from them. To curb environmental pressures and improve societal well-being, fundamental changes to existing provisioning systems are necessary. In this article, we propose that provisioning systems be conceptualized as featuring integrated socio-metabolic and political-economic dimensions. In socio-metabolic terms, material stocks-buildings, infrastructures, and machines, for example-are key components of provisioning systems and transform flows of energy and materials into goods and services. In political-economic terms, provisioning systems are formed by actors, institutions, and capital. We loosely identify and closely analyze, from socio-metabolic and political-economic perspectives, five phases along which provisioning systems are shaped and in which specific opportunities for interventions exist. Relying mainly on examples from the fossil-fueled electricity system, we argue that an integrated conceptualization of provisioning systems can advance understanding of these systems in two essential ways: by (1) facilitating a more encompassing perspective on current forms of provisioning as relying on capitalist regulation and on material stocks and flows and by (2) embedding provisioning systems within their historical context, making it possible to conceive of more sustainable and just forms of provisioning under (radically) altered conditions

Biology · Business · Conceptualization · Context (archaeology · Economic system · Economics · Environmental economics · Political science · Politics · Provisioning · Sustainability · Telecommunications · Computer Science · Environmental Impact and Sustainability · Water Governance and Infrastructure · Water-Energy-Food Nexus Studies · Ecology