JOURNAL: Competing values, ideologies and lock-in dependencies in sociotechnical pathways for industrial decarbonisation
Summary
Authors:
Benjamin K. Sovacool
Steve Griffiths
Hans Jakob Walnum
Dylan Daniel Furszyfer
Marfuga Iskandarova
Boston University
Aarhus University
University of Sussex
American University of Sharjah
Western Norway Research Institute
National Center for Social Research (NATCEN)
Competing values, ideologies and lock-in dependencies in sociotechnical pathways for industrial decarbonisation
Environmental Science & Policy
March 2025
This paper explores how different countries are tackling the challenge of reducing industrial carbon emissions, highlighting how cultural values, politics, economics, and resources all influence their chosen paths. Drawing on interviews and site visits in Norway, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States, it shows how each country is shaped by its own priorities and limitations—whether it’s Norway’s continued reliance on fossil fuels, the UAE’s limited energy options, or the US’s focus on tech-driven solutions. The research suggests that understanding these national differences is key to designing fairer and more effective strategies for achieving net-zero industry.