The Political Economy of Sustainable Energy [Hardcover]

This book analyzes the extent to which the current political paradigm is capable of meeting the challenges of climate change. Placing the UK in comparative perspective, leading energy expert Catherine Mitchell argues for a new way of approaching policy towards energy and sustainability.Breaking Free of the Band of Iron The Regulatory State Paradigm  and Its Challenges The Difficulty of Delivering the 'Right' Change Quickly Enough Preferable Intervention  The Pursuit of Nuclear Power Renewable Energy in the UK Markets and Networks  Pure Paradigm and Effect New Zealand as a Case Study Examining European Political Paradigms Just-do-it: Solutions, Opportunities and Realities

'...Mitchell...knows how to clearly set out complicated issues. Her arguments are well thought out, passionate and exciting...The publication of her book is very timely...' - Power UK (Platts)

'...Mitchell has done an excellent job of distilling the torrent of Government pronouncements and an immense amount of research into a meaningful and manageable volume. More than that, she has made sense of the tensions between short and long term decisions which Governments face.' - Colin Axon, Energy Group Newsletter

'The book is gutsy, wielding valid and hard-hitting criticisms of the government. It's empirical richness and applied knowledge is thoroughly grounded and conceptualised within the current academic debate on energy policy, thus making the book relevant to a wide audience inerested in sustainable energy and policy making more broadly.' - Sally Murral, University of Plymouth

CATHERINE MITCHELL is Professor of Energy Policy at Exeter University, UK, and has worked in the energy arena for over twenty years. She has advised governments and NGOs around the world. She was International Advisor to the New Zealand Government for the 2006-2007 New Zealand Energy Strategy and National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy, and has been involved l“.