lOMoARcPSD|59658805
Ecological Modernisation and Alternatives Reading
EG in Central Asia (University of Oxford)
Scan to open on Studocu
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Seminar 8 – Reading – Ecological Modernisation and Alternatives – EG in Central - MT2021
This seminar will be about the theories and critiques of ecological modernisation, which has come
to dominate responses to environmental disasters (climate change more broadly). It will
investigate a World Bank project which invested in finding solutions to current challenges faced by
the Aral Sea region and analyse the stakeholders involved and the decision-making process. From
here, we will think through the provocation by E. Swyngedouw that the contemporary global
environmental governance regime is characterised by a post-political condition.
Murphy, J. and A. Gouldson. (2000). Environmental policy and industrial innovation: integrating
environment and economy through ecological modernisation. Geoforum: 33-44.
WHAT IS ECOLOGICAL MODERNISATION? – a school of thought in social sciences, where the
economy benefits from moves towards environmentalism – become more popular among
policymakers recently and internationally.
Introduction
Ecological modernisation is the ways in which late-modern society is responding to the
ecological risk worries associated with industrialism (Huber, 1985).
o The framework is used both to describe and analyse emergent policy, as well as to
bring forward policy prescriptions and encourage a shift towards environmentally
benign modes of industrial development – therefore it is descriptive and prescriptive.
o It suggests that regulation can solve environmental issues, whilst also making
industry more competitive – regulation needs to encourage development of new
innovative technology.
It is concerned with the interaction between industrial development and the environment
and therefore looks at how policy reform can produce both economic and environmental
benefits, where policy looks at how industrial societies can respond and adapt to emergent
environmental issues.
o Microeconomics scale = new technology and innovation for cleaner techniques in
industry.
o But this innovation process needs further development detail, for it to be integrated
into policy and the stimulation of more innovation.
Ecological modernisation, industrial restructuring, and policy reform
Huber (1982) seen as the father of ecological modernisation, as he theorised those
environmental issues could be addressed at entrepreneurial level, through ‘super-
industrialisation’.
o This involves the transformation of industrial production through developing
innovative and new technologies (Huber, 1985).
Huber’s ideas relate to some author’s ideas of ‘reflexive modernity’, such as by Giddens
(1991) – they argue that modern society is questioning the faith that it has placed in
science, technology, and the government – but this differs from ecological modernisation
significantly.
Janicke et al., (1985) developed Huber’s idea – argued that macroeconomic restructuring is
also is an essential component of ecological modernisation.
o They argued that there is a need for technological change, but this needs to happen
alongside a change in national economy from heavy industry towards
environmentally burdensome or less resource intensive industry, such as tourism of
financial services.
Weale (1992) argued that there isn’t any conflict between economic growth and
environmental protection and instead that addressing environmental growth can make
industry more efficient and increase growth.
Mol (1995) – ecological modernisation as an institutional reflexivity, such as in the Dutch
chemical industry, as a result of environmental pressure – an identifiable phenomena.
Downloaded by olinder seth ()
Ecological Modernisation and Alternatives Reading
EG in Central Asia (University of Oxford)
Scan to open on Studocu
Studocu is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university
Downloaded by olinder seth ()
, lOMoARcPSD|59658805
Seminar 8 – Reading – Ecological Modernisation and Alternatives – EG in Central - MT2021
This seminar will be about the theories and critiques of ecological modernisation, which has come
to dominate responses to environmental disasters (climate change more broadly). It will
investigate a World Bank project which invested in finding solutions to current challenges faced by
the Aral Sea region and analyse the stakeholders involved and the decision-making process. From
here, we will think through the provocation by E. Swyngedouw that the contemporary global
environmental governance regime is characterised by a post-political condition.
Murphy, J. and A. Gouldson. (2000). Environmental policy and industrial innovation: integrating
environment and economy through ecological modernisation. Geoforum: 33-44.
WHAT IS ECOLOGICAL MODERNISATION? – a school of thought in social sciences, where the
economy benefits from moves towards environmentalism – become more popular among
policymakers recently and internationally.
Introduction
Ecological modernisation is the ways in which late-modern society is responding to the
ecological risk worries associated with industrialism (Huber, 1985).
o The framework is used both to describe and analyse emergent policy, as well as to
bring forward policy prescriptions and encourage a shift towards environmentally
benign modes of industrial development – therefore it is descriptive and prescriptive.
o It suggests that regulation can solve environmental issues, whilst also making
industry more competitive – regulation needs to encourage development of new
innovative technology.
It is concerned with the interaction between industrial development and the environment
and therefore looks at how policy reform can produce both economic and environmental
benefits, where policy looks at how industrial societies can respond and adapt to emergent
environmental issues.
o Microeconomics scale = new technology and innovation for cleaner techniques in
industry.
o But this innovation process needs further development detail, for it to be integrated
into policy and the stimulation of more innovation.
Ecological modernisation, industrial restructuring, and policy reform
Huber (1982) seen as the father of ecological modernisation, as he theorised those
environmental issues could be addressed at entrepreneurial level, through ‘super-
industrialisation’.
o This involves the transformation of industrial production through developing
innovative and new technologies (Huber, 1985).
Huber’s ideas relate to some author’s ideas of ‘reflexive modernity’, such as by Giddens
(1991) – they argue that modern society is questioning the faith that it has placed in
science, technology, and the government – but this differs from ecological modernisation
significantly.
Janicke et al., (1985) developed Huber’s idea – argued that macroeconomic restructuring is
also is an essential component of ecological modernisation.
o They argued that there is a need for technological change, but this needs to happen
alongside a change in national economy from heavy industry towards
environmentally burdensome or less resource intensive industry, such as tourism of
financial services.
Weale (1992) argued that there isn’t any conflict between economic growth and
environmental protection and instead that addressing environmental growth can make
industry more efficient and increase growth.
Mol (1995) – ecological modernisation as an institutional reflexivity, such as in the Dutch
chemical industry, as a result of environmental pressure – an identifiable phenomena.
Downloaded by olinder seth ()
