How do we achieve rapid societal transitions?

Considering historical examples of rapid societal changes, such as the construction of the railway in the first industrial era or the re-direction of a country's industry to fast recover from a world war, makes us recognize the ability of humanity to achieve successful socio-economical developments when posed into situations of urgency and collective necessity (BBC 2019).

In terms of energy transition towards a net zero 2050 and its main drivers, the forth running countries in Europe, Sweden and France, have adopted a rapid change, similarly as above, as a response to the incumbent energy crisis which required a fast development towards an economy less dependent on fossil fuels (Millot 2020).

Generally speaking, it could be said first and foremost that specifically for energy transitions, "resource availability and geostrategic factors influence energy systems pathways" (Millot 2020). The overall aim of the policy makers has not been really to impact CO2 emissions if not more to foster energy independence and preserve cost competitiveness (Millot 2020). However, in doing so, they were able to boost the imposition of stronger public policies and along with the constant political support it was feasible to achieve the goal (Millot 2020).

The results are for both European countries a switch in the energy mix towards more wind and solar power as well as an overall increased electrification of the system which results in less fossil fuel burnt and more efficiency (Millot 2020).

The same predispositions for a rapid change which society has historically experienced in evolutionary moments, such as after the 2018 financial crisis or the incumbency of a world war, will be required by humanity in the context of climate change.

Moreover, as analysed by Smith, rapid societal changes are strictly intertwined with movement in local-level groups which firstly develop the psychological conflict to then aggregate towards a more macro societal change when a tipping point is reached, also called Societal Tipping Elements (STEs) (Smith 2019). This concept once again highlights the necessity for climate action to happen as a cross- and intersectional approach.


Finally, as emphasized in the latest COP27, there is an increasing need in accurate reporting, transparency and accountability at the global level with relation to the national pledges linked  to the Sustainability Development Goals in order to foster an environment of collective and proactive action (WEF 2022). 

"Climate scientist Dr Emily Shuckburgh is in no doubt. If we all work together – not just governments, but individuals, businesses, charities, everyone – we can make deep, meaningful change, now." (CAM)



References:

BBC (2019), Can we transform the world in 12 years?

Millot, A. (2020), Guiding the future energy transition to net-zero emissions: Lessons from

exploring the differences between France and Sweden, Energy Policy 139

G. E. Smith, L. (2019), Advancing the social psychology of rapid societal change, British Journal of Social Psychology, 58, 33–44

Rapid transition to a net zero world, CAM (Cambridge Alumni Magazine), University of Cambridge, Available at: https://www.cam.ac.uk/stories/rapid-transition. Accessed on: 5 February 2023

Harsh Vijay Singh, Olivia Zeydler, (2022), Why the net-zero transition needs a transparency boost, World Economic Forum, Available at: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/11/net-zero-transition-transparency-cop27-climate-change/. Accessed on: 5 February 2023


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