The necessity of a transformational approach to just transition: defence worker views on decarbonisation, diversification and sustainability

Bell, K. , Price, V., McLoughlin, K. and Kojola, E. (2023) The necessity of a transformational approach to just transition: defence worker views on decarbonisation, diversification and sustainability. Environmental Politics, (doi: 10.1080/09644016.2023.2199661) (Early Online Publication)

Abstract

This paper highlights the perspectives of defence workers regarding a Just Transition of their industry, one of the most environmentally harmful sectors in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, pollution and use of non-renewable resources. It is based on (i) interviews with defence sector workers in the United States and the United Kingdom (n58); and (ii) focus groups with key representatives of national and international labour unions, defence companies and relevant NGOs (n18). Some of these defence workers and their trade union representatives envisioned a transformational path towards sustainability, including converting the defence sector to more socially useful production. Drawing on Gramsci, we define these as ‘counter-hegemonic views’, since they challenge the hegemonic ‘growth coalition’ and ‘treadmill of destruction’ paradigms. Such views support and echo more radical interpretations of Just Transition, emphasising the necessity of a structural transformation of society to achieve a fair and effective transition to sustainability.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The work was supported by the British Academy.
• Status: Early Online Publication
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Bell, Dr Karen
• Authors: Bell, K., Price, V., McLoughlin, K., and Kojola, E.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies
• Journal Name: Environmental Politics
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 0964-4016
• ISSN (Online): 1743-8934
• Published Online: 20 April 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Environmental Politics 2023
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License