Greening Regional Cities: The Role of Government in Sustainability Transitions

Wright, S; Sharpe, S; Giurco, D

Greening Regional Cities: The Role of Government in Sustainability Transitions

Wright, S Sharpe, S

Giurco, D

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Publisher:: Springer
Publication Type:: Chapter
Citation:: Sustainable Development Research in the Asia-Pacific Region, 2018, pp. 327-343
Issue Date:: 2018-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Wright, S
dc.contributor.author	Sharpe, S https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8423-2519
dc.contributor.author	Giurco, D https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1707-9531
dc.date.accessioned	2022-12-19T04:40:43Z
dc.date.available	2022-12-19T04:40:43Z
dc.date.issued	2018-01-01
dc.identifier.citation	Sustainable Development Research in the Asia-Pacific Region, 2018, pp. 327-343
dc.identifier.isbn	978-3-030-10349-1
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/164475
dc.description.abstract	The scale and complexity of the ‘wicked problems’ posed by sustainability are forcing collaborations between unlikely partners. In many instances, government is choosing to play a critical role in the sustainable innovation process. Yet much of the innovation literature pushes to the fore the ingenuity of the firm, leaving government to play a secondary supporting role. Drawing on ideas from innovations and transitions theory on the role of government in supporting green niches, this paper analyses the example of an evolving biomass project in regional NSW. In particular, the paper focuses upon the role that regional government plays in supporting this community-led collaboration. Based on circular economy principles, the project aims to achieve energy independence whilst simultaneously generating bio-products for the agricultural sector. Utilising a case study methodology including in-depth semi-structured interviews with more than 20 key stakeholders from government, business and the local community, analysis of the data suggests that government is a critical actor in the innovation process; plays a multiplicity of roles across the network; and that these roles vary to a greater degree than previously suggested in the literature. A number of factors are also identified that shape these roles at different stages of the innovation process. This paper sheds new light on the critical role played by government in facilitating and leading sustainability transitions and contributes to our knowledge of sustainable innovations more broadly. It also highlights a need for more research to improve our understanding of appropriate actors at different stages of sustainability transitions.
dc.format.extent	31
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Springer
dc.relation.ispartof	Sustainable Development Research in the Asia-Pacific Region
dc.relation.ispartofseries	World Sustainability Series
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1007/978-3-319-73293-0_19
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.title	Greening Regional Cities: The Role of Government in Sustainability Transitions
dc.type	Chapter
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)/Institute For Sustainable Futures
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - ISF - Institute for Sustainable Futures
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2022-12-19T04:40:42Z
pubs.place-of-publication	Switzerland
pubs.publication-status	Published
dc.location	Switzerland

Abstract:

The scale and complexity of the ‘wicked problems’ posed by sustainability are forcing collaborations between unlikely partners. In many instances, government is choosing to play a critical role in the sustainable innovation process. Yet much of the innovation literature pushes to the fore the ingenuity of the firm, leaving government to play a secondary supporting role. Drawing on ideas from innovations and transitions theory on the role of government in supporting green niches, this paper analyses the example of an evolving biomass project in regional NSW. In particular, the paper focuses upon the role that regional government plays in supporting this community-led collaboration. Based on circular economy principles, the project aims to achieve energy independence whilst simultaneously generating bio-products for the agricultural sector. Utilising a case study methodology including in-depth semi-structured interviews with more than 20 key stakeholders from government, business and the local community, analysis of the data suggests that government is a critical actor in the innovation process; plays a multiplicity of roles across the network; and that these roles vary to a greater degree than previously suggested in the literature. A number of factors are also identified that shape these roles at different stages of the innovation process. This paper sheds new light on the critical role played by government in facilitating and leading sustainability transitions and contributes to our knowledge of sustainable innovations more broadly. It also highlights a need for more research to improve our understanding of appropriate actors at different stages of sustainability transitions.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/164475