Scientific Research about Climate Change Mitigation in Transport : A critical review

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Introduction to the Special Section on Theoretical Perspectives on Climate Change Mitigation in Transport

Peer reviewedPreprin

Decoupling the link between economic growth, transport growth and carbon emissions in Scotland.

Unlike most other sectors of the economy, transport energy consumption and carbon emissions are increasing. The transport sector accounted for about 17% of Scotlands 17.6 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in 2003 (excluding air travel and maritime) - up 6% on 1990- levels (The Scottish Executive: 2006a). Yet, transport demand is largely derived from other economic activity. Emissions of carbon from transport derive from the amount of transport activity and the technological efficiency of these movements. The objective of a sustainable transport system, therefore, should be to improve access to goods and services without excessive or unnecessary mobility and subsequent emissions. In other words, economic growth (in the widest sense) needs to be realised with less transport (at least in terms of resource use and environmental impacts). Achieving economic development without a proportional increase in transport activity (and emissions) is known as decoupling. Decoupling transport demand from economic development is purported to be the only way to deliver true long-term sustainability. This report will examine whether future economic development can occur in Scotland with significantly less mobility and carbon output than has been achieved in the past. To do this, section 2 of this paper will review the literature on decoupling and transport intensity, providing definitions and arguments for and against these objectives. Evidence on where decoupling has been achieved in other countries and sectors will also be presented. Following this, section 3 will present a selection of personal surface and freight transport measures that are most likely to satisfy accessibility and economic development objectives without proportional increases in transportation activity and emissions1. Section 4 will summarise the findings of this review. THIS IS A REPORT PRODUCED BY ROBERT GORDON UNIVERSITY CENTRE FOR TRANSPORT POLICY FOR THE SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

Analysing cycling as a social practice: An empirical grounding for behaviour change

© 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Despite significant national and local efforts over the last decade to stimulate uptake of cycling in the UK, levels of cycling (particularly utility cycling) remain at around 2% of journeys. Understanding of cycling behaviour and subsequent development of interventions has typically been undertaken using an individualist approach, often relying on psychologically based models of behaviour. This paper argues that Social Practice Theory (SPT) may be a valuable addition to practitioner's toolboxes by providing an alternative means of understanding the complex dynamics between the elements that constitute the practice of utility cycling, allowing it to be considered as a social issue, rather than focusing solely on individual behaviour. This is demonstrated within the paper by the use of SPT to reanalyse quantitative and qualitative datasets that explore views and experiences of both cyclists and non-cyclists. Therein, the practice of utility cycling is described according to its three elements; materials, meaning and competences and the potential benefits of this approach are discussed; particularly its ideological shift away from 'victim blaming' and its natural support of interdisciplinary intervention design

Ordering theories: typologies and conceptual frameworks for sociotechnical change

What theories or concepts are most useful at explaining socio technical change? How can – or cannot – these be integrated? To provide an answer, this study presents the results from 35 semi-structured research interviews with social science experts who also shared more than two hundred articles, reports and books on the topic of the acceptance, adoption, use, or diffusion of technology. This material led to the identification of 96 theories and conceptual approaches spanning 22 identified disciplines. The article begins by explaining its research terms and methods before honing in on a combination of fourteen theories deemed most relevant and useful by the material. These are: Sociotechnical Transitions, Social Practice Theory, Discourse Theory, Domestication Theory, Large Technical Systems, Social Construction of Technology, Sociotechnical Imaginaries, Actor-Network Theory, Social Justice Theory, Sociology of Expectations, Sustainable Development, Values Beliefs Norms Theory, Lifestyle Theory, and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. It then positions these theories in terms of two distinct typologies. Theories can be placed into five general categories of being centered on agency, structure, meaning, relations or norms. They can also be classified based on their assumptions and goals rooted in functionalism, interpretivism, humanism or conflict. The article lays out tips for research methodology before concluding with insights about technology itself, analytical processes associated with technology, and the framing and communication of results. An interdisciplinary theoretical and conceptual inventory has much to offer students, analysts and scholars wanting to study technological change and society

Unfinished Manuscript by Sayegh: "A Refutation of Israeli Arguments and Zionist Ideology Concerning the Legality of the Establishment of Settlements (undated): Quote by Shmuel Katz

Excerpt from an article by David Anable in the Christian Science Monitor, June 21, 1977, featuring a quote by Shmuel Katz, advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, about settlement in the West Bank