Marlyne Sahakian

Making practice theory practicable: Towards more sustainable forms of consumption

In recent years, there has been growing interest in applying social practice theory to theorizing consumption, specifically in relation to transforming practices that have problematic environmental impacts. In this paper, we address the questions: how do changes in practices occur, and what are the levers for influencing change towards more sustainable consumption practices? We argue that a view of agency distributed across people, things and social contexts is fruitful. We also explore learning through membership in communities of practice, where people are involved in experiments with or exposure to new practices. We relate three case studies in the arena of food consumption practices then discuss the practicalities and pitfalls involved in translating social practice approaches into practicable recommendations for encouraging more sustainable forms of consumption.

Energy Reduction Through a Deeper Understanding of Household Consumption

This article proposes a multidisciplinary and systemic approach to sustainable consumption that combines environmental considerations of energy usage from a life cycle perspective with a social understanding of consumption grounded in economic anthropology. The goal is to understand both consumption patterns and drivers, with a focus on household energy used for cooling in the metropolitan region of Manila in the Philippines. For different socioeconomic groups, cooling devices also deliver social and cultural services, such as socializing or adhering to Western fashion trends. This article argues for the need to address these aspects if reductions in household energy usage are to become possible. The limits of individual-choice theories are rendered apparent, with examples of how institutional and structural conditions lock in consumption patterns and restrict household choices. The notion that emerging economies might be able to leapfrog- over the environmental errors of more industrialized countries is also raised and critiqued.

Coming Full Circle: Why Social and Institutional Dimensions Matter for the Circular Economy

In light of the environmental consequences of linear production and consumption processes, the circular economy (CE) is gaining momentum as a concept and practice, promoting closed material cycles by focusing on multiple strategies from material recycling to product reuse, as well as rethinking production and consumption chains toward increased resource efficiency. Yet, by considering mainly cost-effective opportunities within the realm of economic competitiveness, it stops short of grappling with the institutional and social predispositions necessary for societal transitions to a CE. The distinction of noncompetitive and not-for-profit activities remains to be addressed, along with other societal questions relating to labor conditions, wealth distribution, and governance systems. In this article, we recall some underlying biophysical aspects to explain the limits to current CE approaches. We examine the CE from a biophysical and social perspective to show that the concept lacks the social and institutional dimensions to address the current material and energy throughput in the economy. We show that reconsidering labor is essential to tackling the large share of dissipated material and energy flows that cannot be recovered economically. Institutional conditions have an essential role to play in setting the rules that differentiate profitable from nonprofitable activities. In this context, the social and solidarity economy, with its focus on equity with respect to labor and governance, provides an instructive and practical example that defies the constraints related to current institutional conditions and economic efficiency. We show how insights from the principles of the social and solidarity economy can contribute to the development of a CE by further defining who bears the costs of economic activities.

Complementary Currencies: What Opportunities for Sustainable Consumption in Times of Crisis and Beyond?

Abstract This article explores contemporary forms of social and solidarity-based economies, commonly known in French as économie sociale et solidaire (ESS). In English-speaking countries, these activities are part of what is being called the human or people-centered economy, or new economics—a growing area of research, policy and practice that is highly relevant to sustainable consumption studies. This article focuses on complementary currencies, or more specifically community currencies, as one aspect of ESS and as illustrated through case studies from Argentina, Japan, and Switzerland. The main research question is how community currencies might live up to ESS guiding principles and help transitions toward more sustainable consumption. Historical, empirical, and theoretical perspectives are discussed. One conclusion is that ESS and complementary currencies tend to make their value system explicit, placing people above profit for example, while “sustainability” continues to struggle with the compatibility of economic growth with social equity and environmental limits. While complementary currencies may not be a magic wand toward sustainable consumption, they are certainly a useful walking stick for steps in the direction of more sustainable pathways.

Urban Food Consumption in Metro Manila: Interdisciplinary Approaches Towards Apprehending Practices, Patterns, and Impacts

Food consumption is a local activity related to environmental impacts at different scales. Yet, the link between eating food as a social and cultural practice and the global implications of food consumption has not been sufficiently explored. We adopt a multidisciplinary approach to relate social practices with the biophysical flows of food products at the household level. Focusing on middle‐class households in Metro Manila, the Philippines, we conduct qualitative interviews to highlight preferences, habits, and perceptions about food consumption. In parallel, we collect quantitative information on food purchased. We relate our results to national trends by analyzing the recent evolution of national food expenditures. Finally, we review environmental impacts related to main food categories. Our research points to the significance of socioeconomic factors on food consumption, notably the presence of domestic help or the professional situation of household members. One main finding is the identification of eating out as an important and growing trend in Asian cities, which causes a shift of resource consumption and related environmental impacts from the household to the service sector.

The Social and Solidarity Economy: Why Is It Relevant to Industrial Ecology?

The goal of this contribution is to illustrate the linkages between industrial ecology (IE) and the social and solidarity economy (SSE), an economic paradigm that is robust in terms of conceptual and historical developments, and active around the world as a social movement. The SSE includes a range of activities, such as fair trade, community currencies and some forms of peer-to-peer sharing, to name but a few. The links and tensions between SSE and IE are considered first conceptually, by uncovering the theoretical frameworks attached to each field. Three ‘solidarity’ practices are then discussed in relation to industrial ecology activities, namely: aspects of the sharing economy, community currencies and forms of crowd-funding. A main finding is that the two fields of research and practice are compatible, as neither focus on economic growth and specifically profit as an ultimate aim; yet IE prioritizes biophysical considerations, whereas the SSE places more emphasis on people and power systems, as expected. One insight gleaned through this process is that more attention could be placed on labour conditions, power relations and governance systems in industrial ecology, building on previous and ongoing work in this area.

Getting emotional: historic and current changes in food consumption practices viewed through the lens of cultural theories

Social practice theory has brought new perspectives to ‘sustainable consumption’ studies in terms of both conceptual developments and rich empirical research. One appealing and shared understanding is that practices change over time, suggesting that shifts away from current unsustainable practices toward more environmentally sound and socially just alternatives are possible. Much work has focused on how to recruit new practitioners to more ‘sustainable’ practices (Jack 2013; Plessz et al. 2014; Shove 2012). What has been called the ‘practice turn’ in consumption studies, however, also represents a turning away from cultural readings of consumption. Cultural studies have tended toward a structuralist approach, from which practice theory purposefully breaks. Rather than assume that a pre-existent ‘culture’ is made visible in social life, through symbols and rituals, practice theory suggests that everyday practices are the stuff of which social life is made of and the object of social analysis. There was good reason to shift away from cultural approaches in relation to ‘sustainability’. Consumer culture tended to focus on conspicuous consumption and status goods, failing to grapple with much of our everyday, mundane activities that are inconspicuous yet environmentally significant (Shove and Warde 1998). Spaargaren (2013; 2014) suggests that attention could be placed back on a cultural reading of consumption, as complementary to social practice theory.

Exploring the Role of Taste in Middle-Class Household Practices: Implications for Sustainable Food Consumption in Metro Manila and Bangalore

Food consumption patterns and practices are undergoing changes in the mega-cities of South and Southeast Asia. Based on a qualitative, comparative case study, this article examines food consumption practices among middle-class households in Bangalore and Metro Manila. We demonstrate how taste preferences, shaped by and shaping food consumption practices, directly relate to increases in meat consumption, food packaging and household food waste—all areas of environmental significance. Taste preferences, which evolved over time, are explained through three inter-related dimensions: (a) the competencies involved in preparing food or eating out; (b) the material dimension of consumption, or products available in sites of food consumption; and (c) the different meanings attached to what makes for a tasty meal. The differences and similarities in food consumption practices between each research site provide insights into how food consumption practices might shift towards more sustainable pathways in Bangalore and Metro Manila, and in similar settings.

Uncovering changing prescriptions and practices around organic agriculture in Metro Manila, the Philippines

ABSTRACT Through the lens of social practice theories, we consider the emergence of organic food in the Philippines and relate this to sustainable food production and consumption. In particular, we analyze the various practices of groups engaged in “organic” food production and consumption in the capital region, Metro Manila—in a country that has a vibrant organic agriculture movement and which has recently introduced a national law promoting organic food. Using qualitative data, we assess the development of new prescriptions or guidelines and the tensions that arise between prescriptions and public policies. We argue that, as people take on new competencies and meanings in relation to organic produce, social inequalities among consumers are highlighted, affecting the trajectories of organic food.

Energy Consumption and Cooling in Southeast Asia

Asia is developing rapidly in every possible way. Shifting standards of living are leading to higher resource consumption, with higher energy consumption and resulting emissions. The focus of this chapter is to provide an overview of energy consumption trends in Southeast Asia, first by considering the region as a whole and projections for its growing energy demand, then by placing this in relation to questions of access to energy and carbon emissions. Four case studies will be presented to further explore the question of household electricity consumption in relation to energy sources and carbon emissions: the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand. City temperatures and cooling needs in these countries will be discussed, providing a general overview of cooling trends in the region’s mega-cities. The electricity sector will be explored in more depth for the Philippines, followed by an overview of renewable energy developments in the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.