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Abstract
In this perspectives piece, an interdisciplinary team of social science researchers considers the implications of Covid-19 for the politics of sustainable energy transitions. The emergency measures adopted by states, firms, and individuals in response to this global health crisis have driven a series of political, economic and social changes with potential to influence sustainable energy transitions. We identify some of the initial impacts of the ‘great lockdown’ on sustainable and fossil sources of energy, and consider how economic stimulus packages and social practices in the wake of the pandemic are likely to shape energy demand, the carbon-intensity of the energy system, and the speed of transitions. Adopting a broad multi-scalar and multi-actor approach to the analysis of energy system change, we highlight continuities and discontinuities with pre-pandemic trends. Discussion focuses on four key themes that shape the politics of sustainable energy transitions: (i) the short, medium and long-term temporalities of energy system change; (ii) practices of investment around clean-tech and divestment from fossil fuels; (iii) structures and scales of energy governance; and (iv) social practices around mobility, work and public health. While the effects of the pandemic continue to unfold, some of its sectoral and geographically differentiated impacts are already emerging. We conclude that the politics of sustainable energy transitions are now at a critical juncture, in which the form and direction of state support for post-pandemic economic recovery will be key.
Keywords
Covid-19, Politics, Sustainable energy transition, Social practices, Fossil fuels, Renewables, IMPACTS

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MLA
Kuzemko, Caroline, et al. “Covid-19 and the Politics of Sustainable Energy Transitions.” ENERGY RESEARCH & SOCIAL SCIENCE, vol. 68, 2020, doi:10.1016/j.erss.2020.101685.
APA
Kuzemko, C., Bradshaw, M., Bridge, G., Goldthau, A., Jewell, J., Overland, I., … Westphal, K. (2020). Covid-19 and the politics of sustainable energy transitions. ENERGY RESEARCH & SOCIAL SCIENCE, 68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2020.101685
Chicago author-date
Kuzemko, Caroline, Michael Bradshaw, Gavin Bridge, Andreas Goldthau, Jessica Jewell, Indra Overland, Daniel Scholten, Thijs Van de Graaf, and Kirsten Westphal. 2020. “Covid-19 and the Politics of Sustainable Energy Transitions.” ENERGY RESEARCH & SOCIAL SCIENCE 68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2020.101685.
Chicago author-date (all authors)
Kuzemko, Caroline, Michael Bradshaw, Gavin Bridge, Andreas Goldthau, Jessica Jewell, Indra Overland, Daniel Scholten, Thijs Van de Graaf, and Kirsten Westphal. 2020. “Covid-19 and the Politics of Sustainable Energy Transitions.” ENERGY RESEARCH & SOCIAL SCIENCE 68. doi:10.1016/j.erss.2020.101685.
Vancouver
1.
Kuzemko C, Bradshaw M, Bridge G, Goldthau A, Jewell J, Overland I, et al. Covid-19 and the politics of sustainable energy transitions. ENERGY RESEARCH & SOCIAL SCIENCE. 2020;68.
IEEE
[1]
C. Kuzemko et al., “Covid-19 and the politics of sustainable energy transitions,” ENERGY RESEARCH & SOCIAL SCIENCE, vol. 68, 2020.
@article{8674664,
  abstract     = {{In this perspectives piece, an interdisciplinary team of social science researchers considers the implications of Covid-19 for the politics of sustainable energy transitions. The emergency measures adopted by states, firms, and individuals in response to this global health crisis have driven a series of political, economic and social changes with potential to influence sustainable energy transitions. We identify some of the initial impacts of the ‘great lockdown’ on sustainable and fossil sources of energy, and consider how economic stimulus packages and social practices in the wake of the pandemic are likely to shape energy demand, the carbon-intensity of the energy system, and the speed of transitions. Adopting a broad multi-scalar and multi-actor approach to the analysis of energy system change, we highlight continuities and discontinuities with pre-pandemic trends. Discussion focuses on four key themes that shape the politics of sustainable energy transitions: (i) the short, medium and long-term temporalities of energy system change; (ii) practices of investment around clean-tech and divestment from fossil fuels; (iii) structures and scales of energy governance; and (iv) social practices around mobility, work and public health. While the effects of the pandemic continue to unfold, some of its sectoral and geographically differentiated impacts are already emerging. We conclude that the politics of sustainable energy transitions are now at a critical juncture, in which the form and direction of state support for post-pandemic economic recovery will be key.}},
  articleno    = {{101685}},
  author       = {{Kuzemko, Caroline and Bradshaw, Michael and Bridge, Gavin and Goldthau, Andreas and Jewell, Jessica and Overland, Indra and Scholten, Daniel and Van de Graaf, Thijs and Westphal, Kirsten}},
  issn         = {{2214-6296}},
  journal      = {{ENERGY RESEARCH & SOCIAL SCIENCE}},
  keywords     = {{Covid-19,Politics,Sustainable energy transition,Social practices,Fossil fuels,Renewables,IMPACTS}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{7}},
  title        = {{Covid-19 and the politics of sustainable energy transitions}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2020.101685}},
  volume       = {{68}},
  year         = {{2020}},
}

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