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Finnveden, G., Bradley, K., Klintman, M., Larsson, J., Lehner, M., Mont, O., . . . Svenfelt, Å. (2023). Sustainable consumption – moving from niche to mainstream. In: Conference Book of Abstracts: . Paper presented at International Society for Industrial Ecology Conference (ISIE), Leiden, Netherlands, 2-5 July 2023.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Sustainable consumption – moving from niche to mainstream
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2023 (English)In: Conference Book of Abstracts, 2023Conference paper, Oral presentation with published abstract (Refereed)
National Category
Engineering and Technology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-330707 (URN)
Conference
International Society for Industrial Ecology Conference (ISIE), Leiden, Netherlands, 2-5 July 2023
Note

QC 20230703

Available from: 2023-06-30 Created: 2023-06-30 Last updated: 2023-07-03Bibliographically approved
Bradley, K. & Persson, O. (2022). Community repair in the circular economy: Fixing more than stuff. Local Environment: the International Journal of Justice and Sustainability, 1-17
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Community repair in the circular economy: Fixing more than stuff
2022 (English)In: Local Environment: the International Journal of Justice and Sustainability, ISSN 1354-9839, E-ISSN 1469-6711, p. 1-17Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

In the circular economy discourse it is stressed that products ought to be repairable and that repair work is assumed to be growing. However, repair can be organised and performed in different ways – by corporate entities, independent repairers, laypersons and communities. Some corporations are integrating repair and maintenance into their offering, while simultaneously restricting consumers to open, repair or modify their products. In opposition to such developments, there is a movement for “right to repair”, which works for consumers’ legal rights to repair and modify products, pushing for the free availability of spare parts and manuals. Recent years have also seen a growth of repair cafés and other forms of DIY community repair spaces. This paper explores the discourses of DIY community repair through two Swedish case studies – an NGO-led nationwide repair campaign and a local government initiative of open DIY repair spaces. Our case studies show how DIY community repair works towards enabling all, particularly marginalised groups, to participate and live well in a low-impact future. In contrast to the mainstream circular economy discourse, the purpose of community repair is not only about repairing broken stuff and reducing waste, but about building social relations and practicing non-consumerist forms of citizenship. By elucidating these different perspectives on repair – who is to perform it, with what skills and for what purposes – we highlight how the transition to future, more circular economies, can be enacted and steered in ways that allow for different roles and powers for citizen-consumers.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis, 2022
Keywords
community repair, right-to-repair, circular economy, do-it-yourself, power
National Category
Other Social Sciences not elsewhere specified Other Environmental Engineering Environmental Management
Research subject
Planning and Decision Analysis
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-312439 (URN)10.1080/13549839.2022.2041580 (DOI)000762209200001 ()2-s2.0-85125944353 (Scopus ID)
Projects
Mistra Sustainable Consumption
Funder
Mistra - The Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research, Mistra Sustainable ConsumptionMistra - The Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental ResearchMistra Sustainable Consumption
Note

QC 20220523

Available from: 2022-05-18 Created: 2022-05-18 Last updated: 2022-08-26Bibliographically approved
Svenfelt, Å., Bradley, K., André, E., Järbel, J., Kamb, A., Klintman, M., . . . Schoonover, H. (2022). Sustainable consumption and beyond: Final report from phase 1 of the research program Mistra Sustainable Consumption: 2018-2021. Stockholm: KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Sustainable consumption and beyond: Final report from phase 1 of the research program Mistra Sustainable Consumption: 2018-2021
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2022 (English)Report (Other academic)
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Stockholm: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 2022. p. 47
Series
Mistra Sustainble Consumption reports ; 1:13
National Category
Social Sciences Interdisciplinary
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-323102 (URN)978-91-8040-472-3 (ISBN)
Funder
Mistra Sustainable Consumption
Note

QC 20230120

Available from: 2023-01-16 Created: 2023-01-16 Last updated: 2023-01-20Bibliographically approved
Callmer, Å. & Bradley, K. (2021). In search of sufficiency politics: the case of Sweden. Sustainability: Science, Practice, & Policy, 17(1), 194-208
Open this publication in new window or tab >>In search of sufficiency politics: the case of Sweden
2021 (English)In: Sustainability: Science, Practice, & Policy, E-ISSN 1548-7733, Vol. 17, no 1, p. 194-208Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

In transitions toward more sustainable and just societies, there is an urgent need to address overconsumption and to include a sufficiency perspective. This article contributes to previous research by exploring what a framework for a politics of sufficiency might entail and how such a framework can be used to analyze existing public policy. Our case analysis is the policy field of sustainable consumption and waste prevention in the context of Sweden. Based on interviews with public officials and civil society representatives, we identify key areas to address when aiming for a sufficiency orientation. Our results suggest that local and regional governments that strive for a commitment to sufficiency should formulate clear goals that serve to set environmental limits, for instance, in the form of carbon budgets, and then steer toward well-being for the inhabitants within these limits. Efforts should be made to secure stable funding for work within sustainable consumption and waste prevention, especially for projects with synergies in terms of reducing consumption and strengthening non-market relations. Using public procurement is another key tool. In the absence of an overall national politics of sufficiency, the above-mentioned strategies can be and already are to some degree, used by authorities in Sweden.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Informa UK Limited, 2021
Keywords
public policy, Sufficiency, sufficiency politics, sustainable consumption
National Category
Social Sciences Interdisciplinary
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-309990 (URN)10.1080/15487733.2021.1926684 (DOI)000891833800017 ()2-s2.0-85107838313 (Scopus ID)
Note

QC 20230109

Available from: 2022-03-16 Created: 2022-03-16 Last updated: 2023-01-09Bibliographically approved
Mont, O., Palgan, Y. V., Bradley, K. & Zvolska, L. (2020). A decade of the sharing economy: Concepts, users, business and governance perspectives. Journal of Cleaner Production, 269, Article ID 122215.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>A decade of the sharing economy: Concepts, users, business and governance perspectives
2020 (English)In: Journal of Cleaner Production, ISSN 0959-6526, E-ISSN 1879-1786, Vol. 269, article id 122215Article, review/survey (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Sharing economy platforms have been transforming production and consumption systems in cities around the world. While the sharing economy may contribute to addressing sustainability issues, its actual economic, social and environmental impacts remain poorly understood. Advancing more sustainably promising forms of sharing and leveraging its benefits, while circumventing its pitfalls, is becoming increasingly important in the era of Covid-19 and climate crisis, economic downturn and uncertainty, and loss of social connectedness, particularly in anonymous urban environments. The ways to capitalise on strengths of the sharing economy are still poorly understood. In particular, the roles and perspectives of users, businesses and municipal governments in institutionalising the sharing economy in various geographical contexts are essential to examine. This volume seeks to advance the research field by focusing on four research areas: 1) understanding the sharing economy conceptually; 2) user perspectives on the sharing economy; 3) business perspective on the sharing economy; and 4) urban governance perspective on the sharing economy. The twenty articles in this volume discuss sustainability implications of the sharing economy from different perspectives, in various geographical contexts, and drawing on a range of disciplines. The volume makes a significant contribution by bringing in empirical findings from emerging and developing economies, including Brazil, China, Indonesia, Poland, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam, thereby supplementing more frequently discussed perspectives from high-income countries. The volume also outlines the course for future research. (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier BV, 2020
Keywords
Sharing economy, Sustainability, User perspective, Business perspective, Urban governance
National Category
Social Sciences Interdisciplinary
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-281130 (URN)10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122215 (DOI)000561603100038 ()32542067 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85086372685 (Scopus ID)
Note

QC 20201007

Available from: 2020-10-07 Created: 2020-10-07 Last updated: 2022-06-25Bibliographically approved
Lehner, M., Schoonover, H., Mont, O., Bradley, K., Kamb, A. & Svenfelt, Å. (2019). Att inreda hållbart?: En kartläggning av vad hållbar heminredning kan innebära. Stockholm: KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Att inreda hållbart?: En kartläggning av vad hållbar heminredning kan innebära
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2019 (Swedish)Report (Other academic)
Abstract [sv]

Denna rapport har tagits fram inom forskningsprogrammet Mistra Sustainable Consumption – från nisch till mainstream som engagerar forskare från olika vetenskapliga discipliner och samhällspartners från offentlig sektor, näringsliv och civilsamhälle. Syftet med programmet är att stimulera en övergång till mer hållbar konsumtion. Forskningen är finansierad av Mistra, Stiftelsen för miljöstrategisk forskning, samt med medfinansiering från samtliga deltagande universitet och samhällspartners.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Stockholm: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 2019. p. 33
Keywords
hållbarhet, konsumtion, inredning
National Category
Social Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-254620 (URN)978-91-7873-130-5 (ISBN)
Projects
Mistra Sustainable Consumption - från nisch till mainstream
Funder
Mistra - The Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research
Note

QC 20221003

Available from: 2019-07-02 Created: 2019-07-02 Last updated: 2024-03-18Bibliographically approved
Thorson, M., Larsson, J., Nässén, J., Bradley, K., Kamb, A. & Svenfelt, Å. (2019). Att semestra hållbart?: En kartläggning av vad hållbart semestrande kan innebära. Stockholm: KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Att semestra hållbart?: En kartläggning av vad hållbart semestrande kan innebära
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2019 (Swedish)Report (Other academic)
Abstract [sv]

Denna rapport har tagits fram inom forskningsprogrammet Mistra Sustainable Consumption – från nisch till mainstream som engagerar forskare från olika vetenskapliga discipliner och samhällspartners från offentlig sektor, näringsliv och civilsamhälle. Syftet med programmet är att stimulera en övergång till mer hållbar konsumtion. Forskningen är finansierad av Mistra, Stiftelsen för miljöstrategisk forskning, samt med medfinansiering från samtliga deltagande universitet och samhällspartners.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Stockholm: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 2019. p. 29
Series
TRITA-ABE-RPT ; 194
Keywords
hållbarhet, konsumtion, semestrande
National Category
Social Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-254625 (URN)978-91-7873-131-2 (ISBN)
Projects
Mistra Sustainable Consumption - från nisch till mainstream
Funder
Mistra - The Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research
Note

QC 20190820

Available from: 2019-07-02 Created: 2019-07-02 Last updated: 2022-10-03Bibliographically approved
Kamb, A., Svenfelt, Å., Carlsson-Kanyama, A., Parekh, V. & Bradley, K. (2019). Att äta hållbart?: En kartläggning av vad hållbar matkonsumtion kan innebära. Stockholm: KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Att äta hållbart?: En kartläggning av vad hållbar matkonsumtion kan innebära
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2019 (Swedish)Report (Other academic)
Abstract [sv]

Denna rapport har tagits fram inom forskningsprogrammet Mistra Sustainable Consumption – från nisch till mainstream som engagerar forskare från olika vetenskapliga discipliner och samhällspartners från offentlig sektor, näringsliv och civilsamhälle. Syftet med programmet är att stimulera en övergång till mer hållbar konsumtion. Forskningen är finansierad av Mistra, Stiftelsen för miljöstrategisk forskning, samt med medfinansiering från samtliga deltagande universitet och samhällspartners.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Stockholm: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 2019. p. 39
Keywords
hållbarhet, matkonsumtion
National Category
Social Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-254619 (URN)978-91-7873-129-9 (ISBN)
Projects
Mistra Sustainable Consumption
Funder
Mistra - The Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research
Note

QC 20221003

Available from: 2019-07-02 Created: 2019-07-02 Last updated: 2022-10-03Bibliographically approved
Hagbert, P., Finnveden, G., Feuhrer, P., Svenfelt, Å., Alfredsson, E., Aretun, Å., . . . Öhlund, E. (2019). Futures Beyond GDP Growth: Final report from the research program 'Beyond GDP Growth: Scenarios for sustainable building and planning'. Stockholm
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Futures Beyond GDP Growth: Final report from the research program 'Beyond GDP Growth: Scenarios for sustainable building and planning'
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2019 (English)Report (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

A future society no longer based on economic growth – what would that look like?The research program “Beyond GDP Growth: Scenarios for sustainable building and planning” (www.bortombnptillvaxt.se) is a strong research environment funded by the Swedish Research CouncilFormas, which has run between 2014 and 2018. In collaboration with societal partners, the program hasgathered researchers from diferent disciplines to explore key issues and conditions for planning for asustainable future beyond GDP growth. This is a relevant contribution to a largely under-researchedarea, where few scientific studies have explored what a sustainable society could look like, and what asustainable economy that is not based on growth might actually mean.In economic and political discussions, the notion of continuous economic growth is often taken forgranted and seen as a prerequisite for a safe and sustainable societal development. At the same time,a blind faith in and expectations surrounding growth can constitute a threat to the development of asustainable society if growth declines. Also an optimistic prognosis from the OECD indicates that it islikely that future GDP growth will be lower than what has come to be seen as the normal level duringthe second half of the 20th century. Declining economic growth could mean risks for increased socialgaps and unemployment. However, economic models show that the possibilities for handling these risksincrease if there is an awareness of them, and if this is addressed politically. Therefore, it is important tonot just assume continued economic growth, but to plan also for alternative scenarios.A starting point for the research program has been an understanding of the significant transitionsneeded to approach a safe and just operating space for humanity within planetary boundaries. Fourgoals that should be met in order to consider the societal development sustainable were specified: twoenvironmental goals related to climate and land use, and two social goals regarding power, influence andparticipation, and welfare and resource security.Four scenarios for Sweden 2050 were developed, which show the diferent directions society could taketo reach the set sustainability goals. The scenarios illustrate future societies that do not have to build onthe current economic logic, but that instead are centred around four alternative strategies:Collaborative EconomyLocal Self-SufciencyAutomation for Quality of LifeCircular Economy in the Welfare StateSo, can we reach the selected sustainability targets in the four future scenarios? A transformation ofhistorical proportions are needed – and it needs to start immediately. According to the sustainabilityassessment conducted within the project, the environmental goals of climate and land use can be reachedin all scenarios, even though it demands changing multiple parameters at the same time. Nothing pointsto it being impossible or generally difcult to achieve the social goals in the four scenarios, however theremight be diferent aspects that are particularly tricky. There are both development potentials and risks,which can be diametrically opposite for diferent social groups and parts of the country, depending onthe local prerequisites.Many diferent images of sustainable futures are needed. The scenarios should be seen as a tool fordiscussion and analysis when it comes to planning for a sustainable societal development beyondGDP growth. They challenge notions of what is possible, what changes that can and should be made,6what decisions that are needed and what should be prioritized. The scenarios all suggest a largechange compared the current development trajectory, and for example all point towards the need forredistribution of resources. It might involve economic resources, but could also relate to power andinfluence over production, or the possibility to use land for production of food, materials and energy.This redistribution could happen according to diferent principles in the diferent scenarios.In all the scenarios, the consumption of goods and of meat is reduced. Flight travel also needs to bedrastically reduced to reach the climate target. There is furthermore a need for reducing the constructionof both housing and road infrastructure, although to varying extents in the four scenarios. Other aspectssuch as working hours, the organization of welfare systems, the characteristics of the built environmentand the amount of infrastructure needed are on the other hand diferent in the diferent scenarios.The research program has explored what a development that isn't based on economic growth, in linewith the strategies that are depicted in the scenarios, would mean for rural as well as urban conditions.Three case study municipalities were selected with regards to their diferent geographical location,built form, economic development and size of the population: Övertorneå, Alingsås and Malmö. Insome sub-studies in these diferent contexts, descriptions emerged of cognitive as well as structuralbarriers, a sense of powerlessness and a weak capacity for transition among diferent actors. This isconnected to expectations and general assumptions regarding growth, partly irrespective of the context.Municipalities and companies to a large extent plan for and expect a societal development that buildsupon a further expansion of infrastructure, transport and consumption. Despite visions for sustainabledevelopment, in practice this often leads to a reproduction of current unsustainable structures and waysof life.At the same time, specific empirical studies within the project point toward stories of self-sufciency,of regional upswings and that the population is more important than GDP. There is an increasedawareness and a multitude of examples of experimenting with new sustainable practices that constituteseeds for change. Critiques against planning for continuous growth is being taken more seriously andclearer political visions are demanded. New forms of organizing the economy, society and welfare arealso being developed. Some examples include working from a perspective on socio-ecological justice,integration of sustainability targets in all planning, and developing new roles for consumers andproducers. These ideas can be seen as windows of opportunity, but also show that change can happenwithin the current system.The future means change. In this research program, we point towards some possible futures that aimat reaching certain sustainability targets. The scenarios and the discussion and analysis that they havebrought about show that there is an opportunity to move towards a sustainable development withmaintained or even increased well-being – provided that the understanding of well-being is based onother values than those of our current society. For these possible future trajectories to gain support,there is a need of political instruments and measures that actively drive the development towards a justand safe operating space for humanity

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Stockholm: , 2019. p. 57
Series
TRITA-ABE-RPT ; 1835
National Category
Other Social Sciences
Research subject
Planning and Decision Analysis, Strategies for sustainable development
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-340632 (URN)978-91-7873-044-5 (ISBN)
Projects
Beyond GDP Growth: Scenarios for sustainable building and planning
Funder
Swedish Research Council Formas
Note

Translation of DiVA 1524798

QC 20231211

Available from: 2023-12-08 Created: 2023-12-08 Last updated: 2024-03-18Bibliographically approved
Svenfelt, Å., Alfredsson, E., Bradley, K., Fauré, E., Finnveden, G., Fuehrer, P., . . . Ohlund, E. (2019). Scenarios for sustainable futures beyond GDP growth 2050. Futures: The journal of policy, planning and futures studies, 111, 1-14
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Scenarios for sustainable futures beyond GDP growth 2050
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2019 (English)In: Futures: The journal of policy, planning and futures studies, ISSN 0016-3287, E-ISSN 1873-6378, Vol. 111, p. 1-14Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The idea of continued economic growth is increasingly questioned and critically analysed on the basis of its potential negative sustainability impact. Along with the critique, visions and strategies for alternative systems need also be brought onto the agenda. The aim of this paper is to present the qualitative content of scenarios that explore sustainability strategies for the Swedish society when economic growth is not seen as an end in itself, and instead the objective is other values/targets that society might wish to achieve. Multi-target backcasting scenarios are developed that illustrate future states in which four sustainability targets (climate, land use, participation, and resource security) are to be attained. The focus of these four scenarios is: 1) a Collaborative economy, 2) Local self-sufficiency, 3) Automation for quality of life, and 4) Circular economy in the welfare state. In the paper, we also present the process of the development of the scenarios, and feedback from stakeholders. Although the focus is on Sweden, the process and scenarios may also be relevant for other similar countries. The scenarios are discussed in terms of their relevance and their purpose, the fulfilment of the sustainability targets, and the multi-target approach.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
ELSEVIER SCI LTD, 2019
Keywords
Multi-target, Sustainability targets, Backcasting, Scenarios, Beyond growth
National Category
Social Sciences Interdisciplinary
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-257561 (URN)10.1016/j.futures.2019.05.001 (DOI)000478703800001 ()2-s2.0-85066049333 (Scopus ID)
Note

QC 20190925

Available from: 2019-09-25 Created: 2019-09-25 Last updated: 2024-03-15Bibliographically approved
Organisations
Identifiers
ORCID iD: ORCID iD iconorcid.org/0000-0002-6882-2735

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