Global Warming and Social Innovation: The Challenge of a Climate Neutral Society

Description

Societies need to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by 80 per cent in order to counter the risks of climate change. This study envisions a climate neutral society - one where the output of polluting gases is minimised by social innovations set up in households, by local authorities, through developments in information and communications technologies and dematerialization, and through the shift towards product service systems and emissions trading. The work discusses the possibilities for steering and orchestrating this long-term transition towards a climate-friendly society, mapping paths through current dilemmas in climate policy and exploring the legal issues of making this transition.

Marcel Kok is a Researcher at RIVM at the Office for Environmental Assessment in the Netherlands. Walter Vermeulen is an Environmental Sociologist and Andre Faaij is Associate Professor of Energy Supply and System Studies, both at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development and Innovation, Utrecht University. David de Jager is Manager of Energy and Environmental Policies at Ecofys in the Netherlands.

'Well illustrated and readable.' International Journal of Environmental Studies 'A very important book.' Tom Downing, Stockholm Environment Institute 'Brings together a range of evidence and perspectives to provide a multidisciplinary commentary on the problem of climate change' Alister Scott, Assistant Director, Global Environmental Change Programme, University of Sussex 'This work will encourage further work in this critical area from researchers in several disciplines' Professor Robert Socolow, Princeton University 'This is an awesome resource, with authoritative projections on many aspects of environment and resources.' Future Survey, September 2003