If we understand the Deep Transitions concept of rules that underpin our unsustainable systems, we can target these through investments and work towards building a sustainable future. Here, you will learn what a rule is and how the concept is useful to your practice and strategies.
Our current socio-technical systems (such as energy, food, and transportation) are based on a series of unsustainable practices such as fossil fuel dependence, globalisation, linear mass production and mass consumption. These are driven by underlying rules. Rules are not static – and we are able to influence rule change.
This tool will teach the concept of rules, relating these to system regimes and how change happens. It will prepare you for further tools, which show how this understanding can be utilised to strengthen your investment practice.
By the end of this exercise, you’ll understand
- What a rule is
- What a regime is
- How rules evolve over time
We estimate it will take two hours to complete the exercise in a group workshop setting.
After this, you can move onto the Tool: Surges of development, which is designed to follow the rules exercise. This slowly builds understanding of the theory.
Acknowledgements
Our thanks to Naz Costante for graphic design on the workbook.
Citation
Kanger, L., Laurence, N. and Shaw, V. (2024). Tool: understanding rules and their application for investors. Deep Transitions Lab. Available at: https://tipresourcelab.net/resource/tool-understanding-rules-and-their-application-for-investors
Facilitators Instructions
There are two downloads, you need both.
The first is the facilitator workbook, with additional information, guidance, notes and more to help you run a successful session.
The second is a participant workbook, for use by those taking part in a workshop.
