Beyond behaviour change? The epistemic and social practice foundations for ‘behaviour change’ in the context of the transition to a net- zero carbon economy

The transition to a net-zero carbon economy involves a socio-technical change that requires a systemic turn. Central to this process will be ‘behaviour change’ – changing how people act, talk and interact with each other and the material environment. By examining the epistemic and social practice foundations for ‘behaviour change,’ I consider how diverse forms of participation and engagement with science, policy and behaviour change interrelate in wider systems. In this paper I take stock of these advances and the challenges of developing a framework for change to address climate action. The framework for change is illustrated through ethnographic research of the Superhome Movement- a collective of high-performance designers, architects and builders who seek to create healthy, sustainable, low carbon buildings. This provides insights into system wide challenges of using epistemic and empirical social science to redefine policy and industry problems and identify new avenues for social and environmental change that is accessible for those seeking to intervene in everyday life.