From the niche to the mainstream. How good examples of sustainable action can be embedded in a broader social context

Good examples of sustainable action play a key role in the transition towards a sustainable society. Sustainable practices have already developed in various social niches, but there is still little understanding of what characterises these examples of sustainable action and how they can be scaled up across society. This research therefore aims to develop indicators of sustainable action and criteria for their successful dissemination.

Keywords: socio-ecological transformation, sustainable action, policy approaches
Duration: 6/1/13 - 7/31/14
University institution: Norbert Elias Centre (NEC)

Description

There is growing discussion about the importance of niche actors in the transition to a sustainable society. Examples of actors who are already demonstrating sustainable practices today – and who, in some cases, have moved from the niche into the mainstream – can be found in the sectors of energy, food, clothing, mobility, education and so on. However, there is as yet little knowledge about what characterises these examples of sustainable action and how they can be generalised across society. To answer these questions, the research project ‘From the niche to the mainstream’ is developing indicators for sustainable action and criteria for successful diffusion. The relevant literature and projects from the database of FuturZwei. Stiftung Zukunftsfähigkeit are being analysed with regard to the question “What are good examples of sustainable action?” and their potential for spread and influence. The concept study aims to highlight policy approaches and to identify open research questions and potential research projects.

Result

Final Report

Kny, Josefa; Schmies, Maximilian; Sommer, Bernd; Welzer, Harald; Wiefek, Jasmin (2015). From niche to mainstream: How good examples of sustainable action are embedded in a broad social context. Federal Environment Agency – TEXTE 86/2015. Dessau-Roßlau: Federal Environment Agency. Available online.

Further publications

Sommer, Bernd & Wiefek, Jasmin (2015). No real life in the wrong one? Growth-neutral enterprises in a growth-oriented economy. In: Proceedings of the Congresses of the German Sociological Association; Vol. 37: Routines of Crisis – Crisis of Routines. Available online.

Sommer, Bernd (2016). Is a sustainable modernity possible? On the relationship between growth, social differentiation and the consumption of natural resources. In: AK Postwachstum (eds). Growth – Crisis and Critique. The limits of the capitalist-industrial way of life. Frankfurt am Main & New York: campus.