Does religion promote environmental sustainability? – Exploring the role of religion in local energy transitions

Abstract

This article explores the role of religion in local energy transition processes. By combining insights from (a) sustainability studies and (b) academic contributions on religion and sustainability, a theoretical approach for describing the role of religion in local energy transitions is developed. Religion is conceived of as a subsystem among other local subsystems that potentially contribute via their competences to energy transition processes. Three potential functions of religion are identified: (1) campaigning and intermediation in the public sphere; (2) ‘materialization’ of transitions in the form of participation in projects related to sustainable transitions; (3) dissemination of values and worldviews that empower environmental attitudes and action. These functions are studied in the case of the energy transition in Emden, a city in north-western Germany. Although religion attends, to some degree, each of the three functions, it does not assume a dominant role relative to other local subsystems. Actors from other social subsystems appear to take over these functions in a more efficient way. Consequently, in this highly environmentally active region, there are few indicators of a specific function of religion. These results shed a critical light on the previously held assumption that religion has a crucial impact on sustainability transitions.

Sustainable Behavior among Spanish University Students in Terms of Dimensions of Religion and Spirituality

“…The results of this study reaffirm and give empirical support to previous theoretical studies that have pointed out the contribution of religion (e.g., [19][20][21][22]25,26,83]) and contemporary spirituality [84,85] to sustainability. On the other hand, they also show that acting in a sustainable manner is not just a matter of belief or unbelief, to be religious, spiritual, or atheist.…”

Religion and social values for sustainability

“…The practical sphere is akin to shallow leverage points, while the personal sphere is the deepest locus of change and includes beliefs, values, worldviews and paradigms. Koehrsen (2015Koehrsen ( , 2017 explores how religion might theoretically function as an agent of change/transitions. Situating his research within the literature on multi-level perspectives on socio-technical systems (Geels 2002;Geels and Schot 2007), he argues that religion has potential to undergo change both internally (e.g., through promoting eco-theology or adopting 'green' practical interventions) as well as within broader society (e.g., disseminating pro-environmental values).…”

Impact of religious values and habit on an extended green purchase behaviour model

“…Religious values are not only powerful influences; they also have a track record of transforming societies and influencing behaviour (Palmer & Finlay, ). Koehrsen () did postulate, though, that religion and sustainability have developed independently of each other. However, world religions and ecology can be seen as compatible with certain ethical principles.…”

“…Researchers have ignored one potentially important factor, however, namely religion. The world's religions influence discussions about sustainability in relation to past, present, and future concerns (Felix & Braunsberger, ; Koehrsen, ; Palmer & Finlay, ). Religion shapes the lifestyles of consumers in modern societies and, increasingly, purchase and consumption behaviour (Muralidharan et al, ).…”