Taming the big green elephant: setting in motion the transformation towards sustainability

In this open access publication it is shown, that sustainable low carbon development is a transformative process that constitutes the shifting from the initially chosen or taken pathway to another pathway as goals have been re-visited and revised to enable the system to adapt to changes. However, shifting entails transition costs that are accrued through the effects of lock-ins that have framed decisions and collective actions. The uncertainty about these costs can be overwhelming or even disruptive. This book aims to provide a comprehensive and integrated analytical framework that promotes the understanding of transformation towards sustainability. The analysis of this book is built upon negotiative perspectives to help define, design, and facilitate collective actions in order to execute the principles of sustainability.

Intro -- Preface -- Contents -- Abbreviations and Acronyms -- List of Figures -- List of Tables -- 1 Introduction-That Big Green Elephant in the Room -- 1.1 Research Objectives -- 1.1.1 Background -- 1.1.2 Objectives -- 1.1.3 The definition of a Global Transformation Towards Sustainability-Clarification -- 1.2 Research Design and Methodology -- 1.2.1 Ideal Types: Theoretical Models and Scenarios from the Negotiation Perspective -- 1.2.2 Case Studies and Simulations -- 1.3 The Analytical Framework-Negotiation Studies as an Entry Point to Transformation Towards Sustainability -- 1.4 Reflexivity and Stakeholder Engagement for Transformation Towards Sustainability -- 2 Global Transformation Towards Sustainability-Clusters of Current Scholarly Discourse -- 2.1 Cluster 1: Triple Bottom Line (TBL)-The Sustainable Development Discourse -- 2.2 Cluster 2: Technological Innovation and Change Management-The Industrial Revolution Discourse -- 2.3 Cluster 3: Systems Approaches (SA)-Transformation Management and Socio-Technical Discourse -- 2.4 Cluster 4: Systems Approaches (SA)-Global Shifts and Globalization Discourse -- 2.5 Cluster 5: Process Approaches (SA)-The Center-Periphery and the Global South Discourse -- 2.6 Cluster 6: Process Approach-The Climate Negotiations Discourse -- 2.7 Interim Conclusion -- 3 Trade-Offs and Turnstiles as the Main Drivers of the Transformation Process Towards Sustainability -- 3.1 Trade-Offs -- 3.1.1 Global vs. Domestic/Local -- 3.1.2 The Unit vs. Collectivity -- 3.1.3 Cooperation vs. Sovereignty -- 3.1.4 Optimization/Efficiency vs. Consensus/Participation -- 3.1.5 Choice vs. Control -- 3.1.6 Prototypes vs. Generics -- 3.1.7 Linearity vs. Non-linearity -- 3.1.8 Incremental vs. Leap-Frogging -- 3.1.9 Adaptation vs. Latency -- 3.1.10 Causal Determinism vs. Self-Efficacy/Free Will -- 3.1.11 Quantitative vs. Qualitative Valuation.

3.2 Interim Conclusion -- 4 A Critical Outlook on Assumptions-Decision Systems in Transformation Towards Sustainability -- 4.1 Actors -- 4.2 Issues -- 4.3 Structures -- 4.4 Processes -- 4.5 Outcomes -- 4.6 Interim Conclusion -- 5 Knowledge Diplomacy as Facilitator of Transformation Towards Sustainability-The "New Diplomacy" and Consensual Knowledge -- 5.1 Knowledge Diplomacy and Consensual Knowledge -- 5.2 Negotiation Perspectives on Consensual Knowledge -- 5.2.1 Power-Based Perspective on Consensual Knowledge -- 5.2.2 Systems Perspective on Consensual Knowledge -- 5.3 Case Study: The IPCC and the Generation of Consensual Knowledge for Climate Negotiations -- 5.4 Interim Conclusion: Convergence of Knowledge Frameworks as Opportunities and Risks-The Preceding Step Towards Global Convergence -- 6 The Systems Perspective on the Transformation Towards Sustainability -- 6.1 System Transformation and Human Cognition-Power and Identities -- 6.2 System Transformation-'Grasping' the Context of Sustainable, Low-Carbon Transformation -- 6.3 Transition, Transformation and Leapfrogging-Sustainable Low Carbon Policy Priorities in Countries with Emerging Economies -- 6.3.1 Leapfrogging of the Developing Countries-A Way Forward? -- 6.4 Problem Context: Energy System Transformation in Developing Countries with Emerging Economies -- 6.5 A Systems Perspective on Energy Transitions-Energy Policy Objectives for Countries with Emerging Economies -- 6.5.1 Policy Objective 1: Increase Energy Access and Energy Efficiency by Reducing Income Gaps Between Urban and Rural Areas -- 6.5.2 Policy Objective 2: Capacity Building for Energy Transitions -- 6.5.3 Policy Objective 3: Reduce the Environmental and Human Health Impacts of Energy System Transformation -- 6.5.4 Policy Objective 4: Accelerate the Rate of Energy-Related Technological Change.

6.5.5 Policy Objective 5: Coordinate and Implement International and National Energy-Related Policies -- 6.6 Interim Conclusion-So What? Where Do We Go from Here? -- 7 Theoretical Models, Case Studies and Simulation Games as Knowledge and Decision Tools -- 7.1 Scenarios as Methods of Analysis of Futures -- 7.2 Theoretical Models and the 'Ideal Type'-A New-Old Method of Analysis -- 7.3 Case Studies as Historical Analyses-The Value of Context -- 7.3.1 Grasping Historicity and Plurality Through Case Studies-The Value of Perspectives in Knowledge Generation -- 7.3.2 Procedures and the Design of Case Studies-The Role of Theoretical Models in Case Studies -- 7.3.2.1 Problem and Objectives -- 7.3.2.2 The Execution of the Case Studies -- 7.3.2.3 Congruence Methods-The Role of Process Tracing -- 7.3.3 Theory Testing and the Implications of Case Findings for Theory and Practice -- 7.4 Role-Play Simulation -- 7.4.1 The Scientific Value of Role-Play Simulations -- 7.4.2 The Procedures and Design of the Role-Play Simulation -- 7.5 Interim Conclusion: Bridging Gaps Between Theory and Practice Through Knowledge and Decision Tools -- 8 Ideal Types-Theoretical Models as Agent of Transformation Towards Sustainability -- 8.1 An Ideal Type of Transformation-The Democratic Policy Pathway -- 8.1.1 Context: Actors and Issues -- 8.1.2 Agencies: Structures and Processes -- 8.1.3 Audience: Outcomes -- 8.2 An Ideal Type of Transformation-The Authoritarian Policy Pathway -- 8.2.1 Challenges to Developing an Ideal Type of an Authoritarian Policy Pathway -- 8.2.2 Advocacy, Social Movements and Authoritarian Environmentalism -- 8.2.3 Context: Actors and Issues -- 8.2.4 Agency: Structures and Processes -- 8.2.5 Audience: Outcomes -- 8.3 An Ideal Type of Transformation-Policy Pathways Driven by Institutional Activism.

8.3.1 Literature on Institutional Activism-When Activists Hold Power -- 8.3.1.1 Environmental Activism and Democracy -- 8.3.1.2 Relations Between Activism and Climate Protection-The Scientific Community as Norm Entrepreneurs? -- 8.3.2 Context: Actors and Issues -- 8.3.3 Agency: Structures and Processes -- 8.3.4 Audience: Outcomes -- 8.4 An Ideal Type of Transformation-The Technocratic/Bureaucratic Policy Pathway -- 8.4.1 Technocracy and Governance -- 8.4.2 An Ideal Type of Transformation-The Technocratic/Bureaucratic Policy Pathway -- 8.4.3 Context: Actors and Issues -- 8.4.4 Agency: Structures and Processes -- 8.4.5 Audience: Outcomes -- 8.5 An Ideal Type of Transformation-The Post-Democratic Policy Pathway -- 8.5.1 Post-Democracy and Institutional Interactions -- 8.5.2 Context: Actors and Issues -- 8.5.3 Agency: Structures and Processes -- 8.5.4 Audience: Outcomes -- 8.6 Interim Conclusion -- 9 Mexico and China-Sustainable, Low-Carbon Transformation Processes in Democratic and Authoritarian Regimes -- 9.1 Context-Transformation Processes and Governance Models -- 9.1.1 The Paris Agreement and Responses from Mexico and China -- 9.1.1.1 Mexico -- 9.1.1.2 China -- 9.1.2 Multiple Entry Points to Climate Mitigation in Mexico and China -- 9.1.2.1 Mexico -- 9.1.2.2 China -- 9.2 Case Study: The Agency of Transformation Process in Mexico-Gaps in the Discursive Function of Governance -- 9.2.1 Analysis between the Ideal Type and the Empirical Case Study of Mexico-Causal Mechanisms through Congruence Methods and Process-Tracing -- 9.3 Case Study: The Agency of Transformation Process in China-State-Guided Transition Management -- 9.3.1 A comparison of the Ideal Type and an Empirical Case Study of China-Causal Mechanisms through Congruence Methods and Process-Tracing -- 9.3.1.1 The changing meaning of social connections in selecting the political elite in China.

9.3.1.2 Institutional Interactions through Partnerships-Urban Entrepreneurialism and Urban Clusters (Chengshiqun) in China -- 9.4 Chapter Conclusion-Theory Testing and the Implications of Case Findings for Theory and Practice -- 9.4.1 Lessons for Theory -- 9.4.2 Lessons for Practice -- 10 The Philippines as a Case Study-Populism and Institutional Activism in Transformation Processes Towards Sustainability -- 10.1 Context-Sustainable, Low-Carbon Development in the Philippines -- 10.1.1 The Paris Agreement and Responses From the Philippines -- 10.1.1.1 Sustainable Development Policies in the Philippines -- 10.1.1.2 Energy Security Policies in the Philippines -- 10.1.2 Multiple Entry Points to Climate Mitigation and Sustainable Development in the Philippines -- 10.1.2.1 Rural Development as an Entry Point to Sustainable, Low-Carbon Development -- 10.2 Case Study-Institutional Activism and Sustainable and Low-Carbon Policy Goals in the 'Weak' Philippine State -- 10.2.1 Institutional Activism in the Philippines-The Historical Context and the Party List System -- 10.2.1.1 Institutional Activism in the Philippines-The Appointment of Secretary Regina Lopez -- 10.2.2 An Ideal Type Analysis of Sustainable, Low-Carbon Development in the Philippines -- 10.3 Conclusion-Lessons for Theory and for Practice -- 10.3.1 Lessons for Theory -- 10.3.2 Lessons for Practice -- 11 The United States of America-Disruptive Governments, Social Movements and Technocrats in Transformation Processes Towards Sustainability -- 11.1 Context-Sustainable Low Carbon Transformation Under Protectionism and Isolationism -- 11.1.1 The Paris Agreement and Responses from the United States -- 11.1.1.1 Climate Change Discourse in the United States Under President Trump and the U.S. Response to the Paris Climate Agreement -- 11.1.1.2 Economic Development and Energy Security Policies in the United States-The Return of a Fossil-Based Energy and Economy System.