Objective
The project examines how a general transition away from technologies involving the emission of greenhouse gases may be effected.
The study assumes that the policy problem of moving away from hydrocarbon-based technologies and the associated green house gas emissions is a matter of changing from one major technological paradigm to another. A "technological paradigm" refers to the whole complex of scientific knowledge, engineering practices, process technologies, infrastructure, product characteristics, skills and procedures, which make up the totality of a technology.
The project refines what is known about large-scale technological shifts, and applies the results to the policy problems involved in the change of basic energy technologies.
The project consists of three parts :
i) a theoretical component conceptualizing the paradigm shifts;
ii) a historical component describing past paradigm shifts in the use of energy technologies, likely factors involved in the role of public policy ;
ii) an applied component which analyses the diffusion paths of new environment-friendlier energy technologies and explores policy measures to encourage this.
The project identifies the elements of the policy required to bring about a shift from green house gas emitting technologies and thus helps to illuminate one of the components necessary for the transition to sustainability.
Fields of science
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
6200 MD Maastricht
Netherlands
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Participants (2)
0134 Oslo
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M13 9PL Manchester
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