Exploring routinization and reflexivity in change and reproduction of consumption towards lower climate impact

Abstract

A change to less carbon-intensive everyday practices is needed to address climate change. Based on existing literature, we discuss which relations between dynamics of routinization and reflexivity that potentially constitute reproduction and change of practices related to food, mobility and housing. Looking across different consumption fields can help clarify more general insights on the importance of routinization and reflexivity in reproduction and change of consumption. Our analysis is informed by practice theories, which emphasize how reproduction and change are intermingled in the performance of practices. We suggest three analytical themes for exploring the relations between routinization and reflexivity in consumption: Variation in performances of practices, visibility of practice performances and resource use, and social interaction involved in performances of practices. We explore the usefulness of variation, visibility and social interaction by applying them in a systematic discussion of food, housing and mobility consumption in order to shed light upon the relations between routinization and reflexivity and the implications for reproduction and change towards lower carbon intensity.