Smith, Adrian, Hargreaves, Tom, Hielscher, Sabine, Martiskainen, Mari and Seyfang, Gill (2016) Making the most of community energies: three perspectives on grassroots innovation. Environment and Planning A, 48 (2). pp. 407-432. ISSN 0308-518X

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Abstract

Grassroots innovations for sustainability are attracting increasing policy attention. Drawing upon a wide range of empirical research into community energy in the UK, and taking recent support from national government as a case study, we apply three distinct analytical perspectives: strategic niche management, niche policy advocacy, and critical niches. Whilst the first and second perspectives appear to explain policy influence in grassroots innovation adequately, each also shuts out more transformational possibilities. We therefore argue that, if grassroots innovation is to realise its full potential, then we need to also pursue a third, critical niches perspective, and open up debate about more socially transformative pathways to sustainability.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Grassroots innovation, community energy, strategic niche management, critical niches, energy transitions
Schools and Departments:	School of Business, Management and Economics > SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Depositing User:	Mari Martiskainen
Date Deposited:	18 Mar 2016 12:02
Last Modified:	10 Mar 2017 13:37
URI:	http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/60087

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• Making the most of community energies: three perspectives on grassroots innovation. (deposited 01 Feb 2016 16:08)
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