Mixed feelings: A review and research agenda for emotions in sustainability transitions

Mari Martiskainen and Benjamin K. Sovacool

Abstract

Low-carbon transitions across energy and transport systems have been widely researched in regards to how transitions are designed, what policies support them, which technologies they entail, and how fast, or slow, they take. Much of this research has focused on examining the agency and behavior of actors and institutions, or examining processes and outcomes, but less weight has been given to human emotions. Based on an explorative systematic review of the sustainability transitions literature, we address a research gap by focusing on how emotions have been reported or examined in transitions concerning energy, buildings and transport. We show that the acceptability and adaptation of new technologies, systems, policies and practices requires people’s willingness to change, which itself needs positive emotional commitment. We thus propose a new research agenda for low-carbon transitions that takes into consideration people’s emotions as we address climate change and attempt to move to net zero societies.

Banner photo credit: Alireza Attari on Unsplash