Théorie des transitions, théorie de l’inertie

The Science & Cocktail evenings of the Centre d'écologie urbaine bring together researchers, activists, students and professionals in sustainability.

This fifth edition (June 16th 2023) also featured a contribution from LAMARTRA/ULB.

Transitions research clarifies well how digitalisation connects decarbonisation and labour-related transformations. It highlights the multiple kinds of innovations involved. As such it also underlines the potentials for ‘smart’ solutions to environmental challenges, and the scope for digital tools and digitally-supported collaboration. The presentation clarified how transitions theory does not only theorise innovation, however. Importantly, it is also a theory of inertia, path dependency, and lock-in. This is not the most prominent interpretation of transitions research – it needs more attention, especially with regard to digital transformations.