Refereed journal article or data article (A1)
Potential for a radical policy-shift? The acceptability of strong sustainable consumption governance among elites
List of Authors: Ahvenharju S.
Publisher: ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Publication year: 2020
Journal: Environmental Politics
Journal name in source: ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS
Journal acronym: ENVIRON POLIT
Volume number: 29
Issue number: 1
Start page: 134
End page: 154
Number of pages: 21
ISSN: 0964-4016
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09644016.2019.1688532
Abstract
This empirical small-n case study about the potential for a radical policy shift towards strong consumption governance focuses on the opinions of 21 elite actors in positions of power and influence: members of parliament, interest groups, government, and academia in Finland. The opinions gathered by interviews and a survey focused on the acceptability of an 80% reduction of household natural resource use by 2050, and the acceptability of strong policy measures to realize that goal: quotas, high taxes, and other controversial measures. The results revealed respondents' high awareness of overconsumption, their general willingness to consider new consumption policy measures, and differences in opinions suggesting rifts within the regime. This latent transformation potential and openness to new policies enhances the need for further research, both in terms of policy development and policy acceptability.
This empirical small-n case study about the potential for a radical policy shift towards strong consumption governance focuses on the opinions of 21 elite actors in positions of power and influence: members of parliament, interest groups, government, and academia in Finland. The opinions gathered by interviews and a survey focused on the acceptability of an 80% reduction of household natural resource use by 2050, and the acceptability of strong policy measures to realize that goal: quotas, high taxes, and other controversial measures. The results revealed respondents' high awareness of overconsumption, their general willingness to consider new consumption policy measures, and differences in opinions suggesting rifts within the regime. This latent transformation potential and openness to new policies enhances the need for further research, both in terms of policy development and policy acceptability.
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