Ecological modernization theory

Ecological modernisation theory is a sociological approach to understanding environmental reform of production and consumption under conditions of global modernity. The theory is characterised by five core features of environmentally-led societal transformation: (1) the embedding of ‘ecological rationality’ in practices and institutional design for environmental reform; (2) the progression of science and technology for supporting cleaner forms of production and consumption; (3) the continuation of the ‘environmental state’ for setting conditions for non-state engagement in environmental reform; (4) the role of market actors in greening everyday practices of production and consumption, and (5) the continued role and ideology of civil society in performing rather than only advocating for environmental reform. A key challenge for ecological modernization theory is to explore modes of environmental reform that go beyond simplistic and often Western biased categorisations of ‘techno-optimism’, and ‘reflexive’ modes of modernity and reform. Doing so, we argue, will require renewed debate on the advancement of environmental reform through the embedding of digital technologies in environmental governance, overcoming challenges faced by the new geo-politics of resource access, and engaging with a renewed emphasis on the effect of inequality and identity on societal embedding of an ecological rationality over the coming century.