Transformative innovation for the global good

Fred Steward, Brunel University, UK

STEPS Manifesto seminar, 30 October 2008

Environmental sustainability – a public good Existing pattern of innovation is unsustainable A core issue Transformative innovation similar to public health

and the welfare state Sustainability oriented innovation policy Societal mission, purposive and pervasive, role of

government

The greatest challenge of our time

‘Modern’ socio-technical regimes and unsustainability

Automobility/aeromobility – climate change Carbon based electricity – climate change Resource intensive food - biodiversity Printed paper communication -deforestation The high consumption household – water

stress carbon emissions

Shared issue between developed & developing countries Established regimes in developed countries

the problem of path dependency

Emergent regimes in developing countries

the problem of expectations

Different forms of lock-in

Visions of sustainable future regimes

Low carbon economy Ecological food Paperless society The sustainable household

The challenges for innovation & policy

A sustainability oriented innovation policy Need for system innovation

Involves technology & social change

Crosses the production & consumption divide

The reintroduction of societal mission

Environmentalism – from margins to mainstream

Formal policy commitments at global level No growth vs decoupling Climate change – transition to low carbon

economy Stern’s case for public intervention

The rise and rise of environmental sustainability

New consensus around innovation for sustainability

Revolution – from white heat to green cool Misleading metaphors:

Big technology – Manhattan ProjectIncrementalism – new productsGeneric technologies – Industrial Rev

New framework needed

Innovation will save the world

Proliferation jungle Dogmas – market based instruments,

producer oriented Keeping sight of the broad sustainability

agenda Transformative innovation

Through a glass darkly – the contemporary policy window

Long term visions –short term action Sociotechnical approach – bridging new

technology and behavioural change Global and local – reconfiguring national

innovation policy Invention and imitation – being realistic about

novelty Incumbent and emergent – recognising

contradictions within the business world

5 principles for reconfiguring innovation policy for sustainability

A new portfolio of innovation policy measures

Demanding futures Sustainable innovation commons Radical reinnovation Green ‘new deal’ Sustainable transition arenas