The transformation of provisioning systems from an integrated perspective of social metabolism and political economy: a conceptual framework

Abstract

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.

Metrology applied to Human Ecology: critical analysis of geospatial data for regionalization of Brazilian Anthromes

“…Two characteristics, discussed above, are of paramount importance for critical analysis (ISO, 2015b, 2015c): the standard deviation and the coe cient of variation. These attributes together allow the comparability of generated and projected results the results generated in the different units (Amici, 2011;Castillo et al, 2021), the IBGE establishes an important quality control mechanism (Roberts et al, 2021;Thompson et al, 2002), which expresses itself through the criticism and imputation of results (ISO, 2015b(ISO, , 2015cSchaffartzik et al, 2021). This mechanism allows the evaluation of the performance of methods (Bayoudh et al, 2015;Magnusson, 2014) in different census structures, as it facilitates the comparability of geospatial data (Sené et al, 2017).…”

Barriers and enablers of 1.5° lifestyles: Shallow and deep structural factors shaping the potential for sustainable consumption

“…In this context, the literature identifies the continued reliance on fossil fuels as a further material barrier to the transition to sustainable energy use (Messner, 2015;Otto et al, 2020;Brand, 2021;Schaffartzik et al, 2021). Current economic business models and even research, education and innovation policies still attribute an important role to fossil fuels (Messner, 2015), along with continued investment in fossil-fuel assets in financial markets (Otto et al, 2020).…”

A Classification of Different Approaches to Green Finance and Green Monetary Policy

“…Progressive green finance and monetary policy can be understood against the background of de-growth perspectives and proposals of a people's green new deal [64] but also as being part of foundational thinking and strategies to contribute to a socio-ecological transformation [65]. Such an approach requires multiple and collective points of intervention, including the transformation of finance to fundamentally change the provision systems dominating under capitalism [66]. The profit motive and capitalist accumulation should cease to be the dominant drivers in the economy.…”

“…Instead of nationalist approaches, global cooperation and solidarity are seen as key to a sustainable economy that allows decent living conditions for all globally. Against the background of different transformation strategies [65,66], progressive green finance and green monetary policy are needed, while reformist approaches may only represent a first step toward a socio-ecological transformation. Progressive green finance and green monetary policy rests on two essential pillars.…”

“…In order to avoid a global over-use of natural resources and related negative consequences such as global warming and the loss of biodiversity, this perspective suggests limiting the over-use of natural resources by a small share of wealthy people. Moreover, this requires the reorganization of production on a systemic level, such as the implementation of a globally sustainable agriculture and other provision systems [66]. The definition of these individual rights and caps and the specific way of reorganizing global production should be subject to (global) democratic decision-making processes [10].…”