Towards a sustainable economy? Socio-technical transitions in the green building sector

O'Neill, Kirstie; Gibbs, David

Abstract

Making the transition to a green economy is a major policy driver in the UK and other countries. Entrepreneurs are suggested as being at the forefront of this transition and as a driving force for sustainability. These “green entrepreneurs” may represent a new type of entrepreneurial behaviour combining economic, environmental and social aims. In this paper, we present empirical work conducted with green entrepreneurs in the UK green building sector. Buildings have significant impacts on the environment, both in terms of materials and post-construction energy demands. Drawing on sustainability transitions theory, we examine the role of green entrepreneurs in affecting change and suggest that green building niches are less consensual than previously theorised. In theorising green entrepreneurs, we also point to the need to consider them within wider networks of activity rather than as lone actors and the implications this has for policy.

Citation

O'Neill, K., & Gibbs, D. (2014). Towards a sustainable economy? Socio-technical transitions in the green building sector. Local environment, 19(6), 572-590. https://doi.org/10.1080/13549839.2013.818954

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 30, 2013
• Online Publication Date: Jul 22, 2013
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2014
• Deposit Date: Sep 1, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 23, 2017
• Journal: Local environment
• Print ISSN: 1354-9839
• Electronic ISSN: 1469-6711
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 572-590
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13549839.2013.818954
• Keywords: Green entrepreneurs, Green building, Multi-level perspective, Sustainability transitions, UK
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/378568
• Publisher URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13549839.2013.818954#.VeXKWk_bIzs
• Additional Information: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Local environment on 22/07/2013, available online: http://wwww.tandfonline.com/10.1080/13549839.2013.818954