Intergenerational responsibility of the sustainable energy transition: rethinking socio-technical systems through Indigenous knowledge

Overview

https://research.qut.edu.au/energytransition/https://research.qut.edu.au/energytransition/

As the global community works to limit global warming to 1.5°C, accelerating the transition to sustainable energy systems remains a pressing challenge (IPCC, 2023). This transition is not only technical but deeply social, with intergenerational equity emerging as a critical concern. Decisions made today regarding infrastructure, resource use, and system design will have lasting consequences for future generations (UN, 2021). Indigenous knowledge systems, which emphasise long-term stewardship and relational accountability, offer valuable insights into rethinking socio-technical systems for sustainable futures (Whyte, 2013).

In this project, we explore the role of Indigenous worldviews in shaping intergenerational responsibility within the context of the sustainable energy transition. Through a socio-technical lens (Bostrom and Heinen, 1977), we examine how Indigenous knowledge can inform the design, governance, and evaluation of energy systems. Findings will contribute to more inclusive models of sustainability and justice that span temporal and cultural boundaries. This project is part of the Research Group Behavioural Energy Analytics & Modelling (BEAM), based in the School of Information Systems.

References

• Bostrom, R. P., & Heinen, J. S. 1977. MIS problems and failures: A socio-technical perspective. Part 1: The causes. MIS Quarterly, 1(3), pp. 17-32. https://doi.org/10.2307/248710
• IPCC. 2023. AR6 synthesis report: Climate change 2023. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr
• UN. 2021. Our common agenda: Report of the Secretary-General. https://www.un.org/en/content/common-agenda-report
• Whyte, K. P. 2013. On the role of traditional ecological knowledge as a collaborative concept: A philosophical study. Ecological Processes, 2(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/2192-1709-2-7

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Keywords

• intergenerational equity
• sustainable energy transition
• Indigenous knowledge
• socio-technical systems
• energy justice
• systems thinking
• long-term responsibility

Contact

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