The technopolitics of domestic heat decarbonisation: Imaginaries, (un)suitability and social possibilities

Keywords: Technopolitics, heat decarbonisation, energy transition, urban
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Friday
Session Start / End Time: 2/25/2022 11:20 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/25/2022 12:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 12

Abstract

Towns, cities and city regions across the UK have declared ambitions to become net zero ahead of the UK government’s target of 2050. A range of local strategies have been developed to support these ambitions, each reflecting the context, resources and motivations of the area in which they are situated. Greater Manchester intends to achieve carbon neutrality by 2038 and become a global leader on localised low-carbon transitions. This 2038 vision and its articulation by governance actors within Greater Manchester can be considered technopolitical, as the achievement of political ambitions are intertwined with the advocation of specific technological developments.

Greater Manchester have adopted a mission-based approach to support the achievement of 2038 carbon neutrality, with the decarbonisation of heat being identified as a priority area. The focus on heat decarbonisation is accompanied by suggestions of actions for both households and businesses to undertake, including retrofit measures and the installation of renewable technologies such as heat pumps. However, the heterogeneity of households and businesses in Greater Manchester raises questions of suitability and equity with these technologies. Insights obtained through 34 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders associated with Greater Manchester’s low-carbon agenda are analysed through the lens of technopolitics. Focusing on the technopolitics of Greater Manchester’s domestic heat decarbonisation, the infrastructural arrangements, actors and organisations that shape and are shaped by the process of heat decarbonisation are explored. The research considers the role of imaginaries and visions, the politics of (un)suitable technologies and the social possibilities of technologies.