1. Toward a Future Earth Knowledge–Action
Network on Systems of Sustainable
Consumption and Production
Steven McGreevy & Maurie Cohen
Conference of the Sustainable Consumption Research and Action Initiative, University of Maine,
Orono, ME, USA, June 15‒17, 2016

2. • Hosted by the Research Institute for
Humanity and Nature
• One of four Regional Centers, alongside
five Global Hubs

3. International collaborative research platform that
strives to provide the knowledge and support to
accelerate our transitions to a sustainable world
Key ‘New’ Elements
Scientific integration of disciplines/ sectors
Co-creation of knowledge with society

4. ecoHEALTH
New name: Future (Earth) Coasts
A Federation of Core Projects

6. Knowledge​⇄​Action Networks
Further integrate & broaden GEC networks:
• Can include (multiple) Core Projects
• Involve societal partners
• Link to policy processes
• “Co-designed”

7. KAN Objectives
• Solution-driven, co-designed & co-produced
research
• Identify and respond to society’s needs
• Generate integrated knowledge relevant to key
decision-makers
• Add value to existing research (prioritize, integrate,
synthesize, identify gaps opportunities, stimulate
new research)

8. Build health, resilient cities
Improve human health
under GEC
Sustainable consumption &
production
Food, water, energy for all
Decarbonise
socioeconomic
systems
Sustainable rural futures
Safeguard natural assets
Social resilience
to future threats
2025 Vision Challenges

9. SSCP KAN
• One of the identified Challenges for which a KAN is
to be developed
• Not significantly covered by existing Core Projects
(CCAFS?)
• Opportunity to help shape the agenda

10. Research Institute for Humanity and Nature
Kyoto, Japan
Impetus for a SSCP KAN

11. Agenda and WS Structure
• Fifteen participants (largely representing Asia) met to discuss
issues critical to taking first steps in realizing a SCP KAN
• Aims
– 1) to discuss core ideas, practicalities, and expectations for a
SCP KAN
– 2) to share information on areas for potential collaboration
– 3) to identify prospective partners (especially non-academic,
action-oriented groups) and possible sources of funding
• Two-days: presentations, discussions, group-work, brainstorming

12. Focal Theme One: Ecological Macroeconomics and Political Economy of a
Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles
Preparation of an Expression of
Interest (EOI): Three Focal Themes

13. Ecological Macroeconomics and Political Economy of a
Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles

14. Ecological Macroeconomics and Political Economy of a
Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles

15. Ecological Macroeconomics and Political Economy of a
Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles

16. Ecological Macroeconomics and Political Economy of a
Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles

17. Some scholars have characterized these developments as constituting a shift toward a post-
consumerist system of social organization. If this is the case, what kinds of alternative
provisioning practices might we envision for the future? How might we envisage more
satisfactory and sustainable livelihoods?
Club of Rome, forthcoming
Ecological Macroeconomics and Political Economy of a
Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles

18. Urban Metabolism and Sustainable Provisioning Systems

19.  Cities (and their surrounding metropolitan regions) are critical nodes for production and
consumption, yet municipal governments have little understanding or control of many of
these essential material flows.
 While the governance challenges of transboundary problems are not themselves new or
uncommon, the scale and complexity of contemporary global supply chains—and their
socioeconomic and ecological implications—require new conceptual approaches and
methodological tools with which to develop more effective governance.
 Given that it is at the city-scale that the enabling frameworks of daily living are produced,
how can municipal governments (along with civil society organizations and social
entrepreneurs) more effectively exercise their unique leverage to shape local production and
consumption processes?
 What contribution might new forms of “participatory urban metabolism” play in enhancing
the transparency of material flows?
Urban Metabolism and Sustainable Provisioning Systems

20. Extant theories of social change typically privilege changes in production (organization
of work, availability of capital and resource endowments, and industrial technologies)
rather than on evolving adaptations in consumption and the interlinkages between
consumers and producers. Similarly, social experimentation involving new consumer
practices as harbingers of more expansive change has had, outside of the field of
marketing, low scientific salience. Recent years have given rise to significant interest
among practitioners in developing and scaling up alternatives to dominant
consumption routines including the "sharing economy" (both communitarian and for-
profit varieties) and other grassroots innovations but significant uncertainty surrounds
their potential contribution to transitional dynamics. This focal theme will bring
together theoretical studies and real-life experiments, and based on social learning
among stakeholders, develop an understanding of viable future pathways for social
change beyond consumerism.
SSCP and Social Change

21. Next Steps Toward Establishment of a
FE KAN on SSCP

22. Establishing a KAN – A Two-stage
Process
1. Expression of Interest (EOI)
– 2 pager outlining the rationale for the KAN, including:
• Relevance to Global Environmental Change and Sustainability
• Transdisciplinary, solutions oriented, well aligned with Future Earth Vision 2025 and Strategic
Research Agenda 2014
• Not duplicate existing KANs and other efforts
• High potential for mobilizing a large and diverse group of scientists and stakeholders
• Ideas on outcome(s) or final product(s)
• Rough funding concept
– To be approved by FE; starts the official process
2. Research and Engagement Plan (REP)
– Multi-year proposal, co-designed with stakeholders
– Process led by a development team
• Scientists
• Stakeholders
• Members of FE Committees and Secretariat

23. Current Timeline
When What
Mid-June Development of draft EOI to be shared with FE
Secretariat for feedback
End June Formal submission of EOI
September? Approval of EOI, establishment of development
team
November/December Drafting workshop for REP
First quarter of 2017 Submission of REP
June 2017? REP approved by FE Governing Council

24. How You Can Get Involved
The level of engagement is up to you
 Express your interest in becoming a KAN founding member
 Stay updated by subscribing to the KAN listserv
We welcome ideas for next steps
 Stakeholder partners to involve
 Existing initiatives to be aware of
 Concrete KAN activities and output
 Potential funding sources