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Environmental leapfrogging and everyday climate cultures: sustainable water consumption in the Global South

Author

Listed:
  • David M. Evans

    (University of Sheffield)

  • Alison L. Browne

    (University of Manchester)

  • Ilse A. Gortemaker

    (Unilever R&D Vlaardingen)

Abstract

The pursuit of ‘everyday climate cultures’ can mean many things, including reductions in the resource intensity of everyday life. This paper considers efforts to influence current and future patterns of water use in the Global South. This is a significant challenge for environmental policy and for companies that seek to reduce environmental impacts during the use phase of their products. Challenges such as these often give way to debates about the potential for developing countries to bypass resource intensive phases of development and ‘leapfrog’ directly to more sustainable pathways. This article contributes to the literature on environmental leapfrogging by applying social practice theory to better understand the significance of users and ‘lifestyles’. Drawing on a research collaboration with Unilever—involving a rapid review of relevant evidence—the analysis considers mobile (cell) phones as an exemplar of ‘user-led leapfrogging’. A number of lessons are drawn out of this case study that inform thinking about the task of leapfrogging to more sustainable patterns of water use in the Global South. Attention is paid to the adoption and appropriation of products, the broader societal impacts of new technologies, and alternatives to the logic of efficiency. Crucially, it is argued that technologies are limited in their ability to steer processes of positive change and that attention must be paid to existing cultural patterns, ways of doing things, and social structures. The conclusion reflects critically on the concept of environmental leapfrogging, the merits and limitations of social practice theory, and the broader implications of the analysis for understanding everyday climate cultures.

Suggested Citation

  • David M. Evans & Alison L. Browne & Ilse A. Gortemaker, 2020. "Environmental leapfrogging and everyday climate cultures: sustainable water consumption in the Global South," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 163(1), pages 83-97, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:163:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s10584-018-2331-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10584-018-2331-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lee, Keun & Lim, Chaisung, 2001. "Technological regimes, catching-up and leapfrogging: findings from the Korean industries," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 30(3), pages 459-483, March.
    2. Liu, Wenling & Spaargaren, Gert & Heerink, Nico & Mol, Arthur P.J. & Wang, Can, 2013. "Energy consumption practices of rural households in north China: Basic characteristics and potential for low carbon development," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 128-138.
    3. Patrick Schroeder & Manisha Anantharaman, 2017. "“Lifestyle Leapfrogging” in Emerging Economies: Enabling Systemic Shifts to Sustainable Consumption," Journal of Consumer Policy, Springer, vol. 40(1), pages 3-23, March.
    4. Richard Perkins, 2003. "Environmental leapfrogging in developing countries: A critical assessment and reconstruction," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 27(3), pages 177-188, August.
    5. Gallagher, Kelly Sims, 2006. "Limits to leapfrogging in energy technologies? Evidence from the Chinese automobile industry," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(4), pages 383-394, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Joowon Jung & So Yeon Cho, 2023. "How Do Individualism and Collectivism Influence Pro-Environmental Purchasing Behavior Based on Environmental Self-Identity?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-11, November.
    2. Miao Huang & Mohamad Saifudin Mohamad Saleh & Izzal Asnira Zolkepli, 2023. "The Moderating Effect of Green Advertising on the Relationship between Gamification and Sustainable Consumption Behavior: A Case Study of the Ant Forest Social Media App," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-15, February.
    3. Saleem Rahman & Agnieszka Chwialkowska & Nazim Hussain & Waheed Akbar Bhatti & Harri Luomala, 2023. "Cross-cultural perspective on sustainable consumption: implications for consumer motivations and promotion," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(2), pages 997-1016, February.

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