L Baker
Biographic Data
| ID | 18042 |
|---|---|
| NAME | L Baker |
| GIVEN NAMES | L |
| FAMILY NAME | Baker |
| SIGNATURE | BAKER L |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Sussex |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-6008-1656 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 16 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 511 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 16 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2013 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2024 |
| H-INDEX | 11 |
The ‘capability’ of South African energy governance to deliver urban sustainable transitions
Critical to the trajectory and outcome of urban sustainable energy transitions is the ability of government institutions to foster conditions for change and innovation. In this paper, a theoretical perspective combining state power and local governance capability is used as a lens to examine the transition of the energy system in South Africa based on semi-structured interviews with a range of relevant stakeholders, supplemented by analysis of pu…
New frontiers of electricity capital: Energy access in sub-Saharan Africa
While recent years have seen the rapid growth of off-grid solar power, ten per cent of the world’s population, the majority in sub-Saharan Africa, still lack access to electricity. Meanwhile, standalone solar home systems using pay as you go (PAYGO) mobile money have been proposed as a key solution to meeting the target of universal access to energy under Sustainable Development Goal 7. These systems are being deployed in various regions of the g…
Beyond cost and carbon: The multidimensional co-benefits of low carbon transitions in Europe
The paper explores the myriad potential benefits of four low-carbon transitions beyond those in the environmental or economic domain. Drawn from a rich set of original mixed methods data—across expert interviews, focus groups, and public internet forums—we examine the presumed multidimensional, qualitative co-benefits to nuclear power in France, solar photovoltaics in Germany, electric vehicles in Norway, and smart meters in Great Britain. We cat…
Scales of governance: Translating multiscalar transitional pathways in South Africa’s energy landscape
In this paper, we argue for a multiscalar focus on the governance of energy policy and practice. This perspective reveals the translation of agendas and policies across scales stretching from the global to the local. We analyse South Africa’s energy landscape, which is influenced by: a highly complex and dynamic set of generation and production networks, policy strategies, multiple state and non-state actors, and the continuing impact of aparthei…
The whole systems energy injustice of four European low-carbon transitions
The need for multi-scalar analysis of energy and low-carbon systems is becoming more apparent as a way to assess the holistic socioeconomic and environmental impacts of energy transitions across a variety of scales and lifecycle stages. This paper conducts a whole systems energy justice analysis of four European low-carbon transitions—nuclear power in France, smart meters in Great Britain, electric vehicles in Norway, and solar photovoltaic panel…
Processes of elite power and low-carbon pathways: Experimentation, financialisation, and dispossession
A regime in the making? Examining the geographies of solar PV electricity in Southern Africa
Tensions in the transition: The politics of electricity distribution in South Africa
This paper argues that the distribution of electricity represents an important yet neglected aspect of the politics of energy transitions. In recent years, South Africa’s electricity sector has seen the introduction of new actors and technologies, including the ‘prosumer’ (producer–consumer) of electricity and small-scale embedded generation from roof-top solar photovoltaics. We analyse these recent developments in historical context and consider…
Of embodied emissions and inequality: Rethinking energy consumption
This paper situates concepts of energy consumption within the context of growing research on embodied emissions. Using the UK as a case study I unpack the global socio-economic and ecological inequalities inherent in the measurement of greenhouse gas emissions on a territorial basis under the international climate change framework. In so doing, I problematise questions of distribution, allocation and responsibility with regards to the pressing ne…
Spatial adventures in energy studies: An introduction to the special issue
The political economy of technological capabilities and global production networks in South Africa's wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) industries
We examine underlying conflicts between technological capabilities and global production networks in South Africa's solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy industries. This includes an analysis of the complex and multi-scalar relationships that exist between international and local institutions, as well as the embedded nature of renewable energy technology within a national and international political economy. In South Africa's case, this encompa…
The political economy of energy transitions in Mozambique and South Africa: The role of the Rising Powers
The evolving role of finance in South Africa’s renewable energy sector
Renewable energy in South Africa's minerals-energy complex: A ‘low carbon’ transition
This paper questions the extent to which the introduction of utility-scale, privately generated renewable energy into South Africa's coal-dominated electricity supply can be considered a ‘low-carbon transition’. Rather, the renewable energy projects in question are embedded within and contribute to South Africa's high-carbon, electricity-intensive ‘minerals–energy complex’. An empirical consideration is provided of some of the stakeholders involv…
The Political Economy of Energy Transitions: The Case of South Africa
This paper explores the political economy of energy transition in South Africa. An economic model based around a powerful 'minerals-energy complex' that has previously been able to provide domestic and foreign capital with cheap and plentiful coal-generated electricity is no longer economically or environmentally sustainable. The paper analyses the struggle over competing energy visions, infrastructures and political agendas in order to generate …
Mark Swilling and Eve Annecke: Just transitions: explorations of sustainability in an unfair world
The Political Economy of Energy Transitions: The Case of South Africa
This paper explores the political economy of energy transition in South Africa. An economic model based around a powerful 'minerals-energy complex' that has previously been able to provide domestic and foreign capital with cheap and plentiful coal-generated electricity is no longer economically or environmentally sustainable. The paper analyses the struggle over competing energy visions, infrastructures and political agendas in order to generate …
The evolving role of finance in South Africa’s renewable energy sector
The whole systems energy injustice of four European low-carbon transitions
The need for multi-scalar analysis of energy and low-carbon systems is becoming more apparent as a way to assess the holistic socioeconomic and environmental impacts of energy transitions across a variety of scales and lifecycle stages. This paper conducts a whole systems energy justice analysis of four European low-carbon transitions—nuclear power in France, smart meters in Great Britain, electric vehicles in Norway, and solar photovoltaic panel…
Spatial adventures in energy studies: An introduction to the special issue
The political economy of energy transitions in Mozambique and South Africa: The role of the Rising Powers
Processes of elite power and low-carbon pathways: Experimentation, financialisation, and dispossession
New frontiers of electricity capital: Energy access in sub-Saharan Africa
While recent years have seen the rapid growth of off-grid solar power, ten per cent of the world’s population, the majority in sub-Saharan Africa, still lack access to electricity. Meanwhile, standalone solar home systems using pay as you go (PAYGO) mobile money have been proposed as a key solution to meeting the target of universal access to energy under Sustainable Development Goal 7. These systems are being deployed in various regions of the g…
A regime in the making? Examining the geographies of solar PV electricity in Southern Africa
Renewable energy in South Africa's minerals-energy complex: A ‘low carbon’ transition
This paper questions the extent to which the introduction of utility-scale, privately generated renewable energy into South Africa's coal-dominated electricity supply can be considered a ‘low-carbon transition’. Rather, the renewable energy projects in question are embedded within and contribute to South Africa's high-carbon, electricity-intensive ‘minerals–energy complex’. An empirical consideration is provided of some of the stakeholders involv…
Tensions in the transition: The politics of electricity distribution in South Africa
This paper argues that the distribution of electricity represents an important yet neglected aspect of the politics of energy transitions. In recent years, South Africa’s electricity sector has seen the introduction of new actors and technologies, including the ‘prosumer’ (producer–consumer) of electricity and small-scale embedded generation from roof-top solar photovoltaics. We analyse these recent developments in historical context and consider…
The political economy of technological capabilities and global production networks in South Africa's wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) industries
We examine underlying conflicts between technological capabilities and global production networks in South Africa's solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy industries. This includes an analysis of the complex and multi-scalar relationships that exist between international and local institutions, as well as the embedded nature of renewable energy technology within a national and international political economy. In South Africa's case, this encompa…
Scales of governance: Translating multiscalar transitional pathways in South Africa’s energy landscape
In this paper, we argue for a multiscalar focus on the governance of energy policy and practice. This perspective reveals the translation of agendas and policies across scales stretching from the global to the local. We analyse South Africa’s energy landscape, which is influenced by: a highly complex and dynamic set of generation and production networks, policy strategies, multiple state and non-state actors, and the continuing impact of aparthei…
Of embodied emissions and inequality: Rethinking energy consumption
This paper situates concepts of energy consumption within the context of growing research on embodied emissions. Using the UK as a case study I unpack the global socio-economic and ecological inequalities inherent in the measurement of greenhouse gas emissions on a territorial basis under the international climate change framework. In so doing, I problematise questions of distribution, allocation and responsibility with regards to the pressing ne…
Mark Swilling and Eve Annecke: Just transitions: explorations of sustainability in an unfair world
Renewable energy in South Africa's minerals-energy complex: A ‘low carbon’ transition
This paper questions the extent to which the introduction of utility-scale, privately generated renewable energy into South Africa's coal-dominated electricity supply can be considered a ‘low-carbon transition’. Rather, the renewable energy projects in question are embedded within and contribute to South Africa's high-carbon, electricity-intensive ‘minerals–energy complex’. An empirical consideration is provided of some of the stakeholders involv…
The Political Economy of Energy Transitions: The Case of South Africa
This paper explores the political economy of energy transition in South Africa. An economic model based around a powerful 'minerals-energy complex' that has previously been able to provide domestic and foreign capital with cheap and plentiful coal-generated electricity is no longer economically or environmentally sustainable. The paper analyses the struggle over competing energy visions, infrastructures and political agendas in order to generate …
The evolving role of finance in South Africa’s renewable energy sector
The political economy of energy transitions in Mozambique and South Africa: The role of the Rising Powers
Of embodied emissions and inequality: Rethinking energy consumption
This paper situates concepts of energy consumption within the context of growing research on embodied emissions. Using the UK as a case study I unpack the global socio-economic and ecological inequalities inherent in the measurement of greenhouse gas emissions on a territorial basis under the international climate change framework. In so doing, I problematise questions of distribution, allocation and responsibility with regards to the pressing ne…
Spatial adventures in energy studies: An introduction to the special issue
The political economy of technological capabilities and global production networks in South Africa's wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) industries
We examine underlying conflicts between technological capabilities and global production networks in South Africa's solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy industries. This includes an analysis of the complex and multi-scalar relationships that exist between international and local institutions, as well as the embedded nature of renewable energy technology within a national and international political economy. In South Africa's case, this encompa…
Tensions in the transition: The politics of electricity distribution in South Africa
This paper argues that the distribution of electricity represents an important yet neglected aspect of the politics of energy transitions. In recent years, South Africa’s electricity sector has seen the introduction of new actors and technologies, including the ‘prosumer’ (producer–consumer) of electricity and small-scale embedded generation from roof-top solar photovoltaics. We analyse these recent developments in historical context and consider…
The whole systems energy injustice of four European low-carbon transitions
The need for multi-scalar analysis of energy and low-carbon systems is becoming more apparent as a way to assess the holistic socioeconomic and environmental impacts of energy transitions across a variety of scales and lifecycle stages. This paper conducts a whole systems energy justice analysis of four European low-carbon transitions—nuclear power in France, smart meters in Great Britain, electric vehicles in Norway, and solar photovoltaic panel…
Processes of elite power and low-carbon pathways: Experimentation, financialisation, and dispossession
A regime in the making? Examining the geographies of solar PV electricity in Southern Africa
Beyond cost and carbon: The multidimensional co-benefits of low carbon transitions in Europe
The paper explores the myriad potential benefits of four low-carbon transitions beyond those in the environmental or economic domain. Drawn from a rich set of original mixed methods data—across expert interviews, focus groups, and public internet forums—we examine the presumed multidimensional, qualitative co-benefits to nuclear power in France, solar photovoltaics in Germany, electric vehicles in Norway, and smart meters in Great Britain. We cat…
Scales of governance: Translating multiscalar transitional pathways in South Africa’s energy landscape
In this paper, we argue for a multiscalar focus on the governance of energy policy and practice. This perspective reveals the translation of agendas and policies across scales stretching from the global to the local. We analyse South Africa’s energy landscape, which is influenced by: a highly complex and dynamic set of generation and production networks, policy strategies, multiple state and non-state actors, and the continuing impact of aparthei…
New frontiers of electricity capital: Energy access in sub-Saharan Africa
While recent years have seen the rapid growth of off-grid solar power, ten per cent of the world’s population, the majority in sub-Saharan Africa, still lack access to electricity. Meanwhile, standalone solar home systems using pay as you go (PAYGO) mobile money have been proposed as a key solution to meeting the target of universal access to energy under Sustainable Development Goal 7. These systems are being deployed in various regions of the g…
The ‘capability’ of South African energy governance to deliver urban sustainable transitions
Critical to the trajectory and outcome of urban sustainable energy transitions is the ability of government institutions to foster conditions for change and innovation. In this paper, a theoretical perspective combining state power and local governance capability is used as a lens to examine the transition of the energy system in South Africa based on semi-structured interviews with a range of relevant stakeholders, supplemented by analysis of pu…
Economics (13 works) · Business (10 works) · Energy and Environment Impacts (9 works) · Engineering (9 works) · Political science (9 works) · Sustainability and Climate Change Governance (8 works) · Economic system (7 works) · Energy transition (7 works) · Ecology (6 works) · Geography (6 works)