1 Introduction
Susanne Hanger- Kopp, Jenny Lieu, and
Alexandros Nikas
In this book, we tell stories of low- carbon transitions – which are almost always
also energy transitions – as a means to illustrate associated risks and uncertainties. Stories or narratives are descriptive, non- technical accounts of work that
goes beyond single academic disciplines, highlighting the perspectives of the
stakeholder groups involved. They allow for a thorough qualitative account of
case- specific detail with respect to policy and governance processes and stakeholder perceptions, which are important for understanding both transitions and
the risks and uncertainties associated with and inherent in these transitions.
They allow for a comprehensive inter- and transdisciplinary view of risks and
uncertainties, which is critical for enhancing risk governance. Finally, they
allow for a writing style accessible to a wider, non- academic audience, which is
particularly important for informing policymaking processes.
1
Most recently, storytelling found its way into international policy processes.
The Talanoa Dialogue, introduced at the 21st Conference of the Parties
(UNFCCC, 2015), aims at sharing stories and building empathy and trust.
Talanoa is a tradition of inclusive, participatory, and transparent dialogue from
the South Pacific. Such a process enables participants to advance knowledge
through common understanding and prospectively contributes to better collective decision making that advances the global decarbonisation and adaptation agenda (UNFCCC, 2016). Where are we? Where do we want to go? And
how do we get there? These are the key questions structuring the dialogue,
essentially leading to narratives about low- carbon transitions.
These transitions are essential to achieve decarbonisation and combat climate
change but come with a host of associated risks and uncertainties. As a key
element in each of the narratives presented in this book, transition pathways
describe what the world should look like over time for realising a common goal.
Said descriptions can include, but are not limited to, technological choices, institutional set- ups, and drivers for behavioural and infrastructure changes. Aiming at
a low- carbon future, such pathways include global agreements and climate targets,
national strategies and emission targets, as well as concrete policy instruments to
implement them. These in turn rely on resource allocations and investments, as
well as behavioural change at both organisational and individual levels. Such
pathways are not forecasts but represent deliberately defined cases of past, present,
Susanne Hanger- Kopp, Jenny Lieu, and
Alexandros Nikas
In this book, we tell stories of low- carbon transitions – which are almost always
also energy transitions – as a means to illustrate associated risks and uncertainties. Stories or narratives are descriptive, non- technical accounts of work that
goes beyond single academic disciplines, highlighting the perspectives of the
stakeholder groups involved. They allow for a thorough qualitative account of
case- specific detail with respect to policy and governance processes and stakeholder perceptions, which are important for understanding both transitions and
the risks and uncertainties associated with and inherent in these transitions.
They allow for a comprehensive inter- and transdisciplinary view of risks and
uncertainties, which is critical for enhancing risk governance. Finally, they
allow for a writing style accessible to a wider, non- academic audience, which is
particularly important for informing policymaking processes.
1
Most recently, storytelling found its way into international policy processes.
The Talanoa Dialogue, introduced at the 21st Conference of the Parties
(UNFCCC, 2015), aims at sharing stories and building empathy and trust.
Talanoa is a tradition of inclusive, participatory, and transparent dialogue from
the South Pacific. Such a process enables participants to advance knowledge
through common understanding and prospectively contributes to better collective decision making that advances the global decarbonisation and adaptation agenda (UNFCCC, 2016). Where are we? Where do we want to go? And
how do we get there? These are the key questions structuring the dialogue,
essentially leading to narratives about low- carbon transitions.
These transitions are essential to achieve decarbonisation and combat climate
change but come with a host of associated risks and uncertainties. As a key
element in each of the narratives presented in this book, transition pathways
describe what the world should look like over time for realising a common goal.
Said descriptions can include, but are not limited to, technological choices, institutional set- ups, and drivers for behavioural and infrastructure changes. Aiming at
a low- carbon future, such pathways include global agreements and climate targets,
national strategies and emission targets, as well as concrete policy instruments to
implement them. These in turn rely on resource allocations and investments, as
well as behavioural change at both organisational and individual levels. Such
pathways are not forecasts but represent deliberately defined cases of past, present,