Surveys for NENA Conference - Capturing wisdom from the cooperative
Surveys for NENA Conference - Capturing wisdom from the cooperative
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RESULTS
RESULTS
Thank you for contributing to the survey on your work in the New Economy.
Initial Results are below. (Warning - these were produced quickly with the help of AI... and some human intelligence.)
So, it is a questionable summary, not a digestion of the feedback. Feedback and help reflecting is welcome!
Who Responded?
22 wonderful people - Many of you refused to be categorised into a role—perhaps we should have offered “Maverick”!
Who Responded?
22 wonderful people - Many of you refused to be categorised into a role—perhaps we should have offered “Maverick”!
Roles:
The most common role was “Entrepreneur or Innovator,” but there was a wide range of roles including educators, government, nonprofit, researchers, and community activists.
Sectors Represented:
• Agriculture (most frequent)
• Education
• Health
• Government
• Nonprofit
• Energy & Utilities
• Research
• Social Media/Arts
• Technology/Telecommunications
• Construction, Finance, Food, Business, Outdoor Recreation, and more
Many respondents selected multiple sectors or refused to select one of the standard options—7 out of 22 sector responses included multiple or non-standard sectors.
Factors Supporting and Hindering Transition
Factors Supporting and Hindering Transition
Hindering
• Industry & Professional Groups
• Corporate Governance
Mixed
• Federal Climate Policy & Regulation
• Australian Investment Community
Mixed - Some Positive
• Consumer Preferences & Public Pressure
• International Pressures
• Supply Chain Expectations
Other Barriers - from your comments
• Standards and supply chains are controlled by large industry
• Financial institutions’ focus on ROI and neoliberal ideology
• Ignorance, individualism, apathy, lack of agency
• Slow government and business response
• Power structures and lack of local influence
Climate Transition Pathways
Climate Transition Pathways
Common Themes
Pessimism about Orderly Transition:
Many respondents believe that governments and businesses are moving too slowly, clinging to economic growth and consumer capitalism. There is widespread doubt that an orderly or just transition is possible under current conditions.
Fear of Collapse or Disorder:
Several comments express concern that Australia (and the world) is more likely to experience societal collapse, widespread conflict, or anti-democratic transformation than a smooth transition. Some see collapse as inevitable, with the best response being to build resilient local communities.
Need for Grassroots and Local Action:
There is a call for more “examples from the ground” and place-based, messy transitions. Respondents see value in local, community-driven change as a way to inspire broader transformation.
Collective Action and Wicked Problems:
Respondents recognize that the problems are “wicked” and require collective action, but note that responsibility is often shifted and real collaboration is lacking.
Barriers:
Economic precariousness is seen as a major barrier to climate action and transition.
Just transition ideas are seen as niche, with most people unaware of the root causes of dysfunction.
Hope for Enlightenment or Revolution:
A few respondents hope for a catalytic event that could “crack open the nut of truth,” leading to more equitable or revolutionary change—even if disorderly.
Ranked from least to most change
Scale of Change Expected by Sector
Scale of Change Expected by Sector
Comments
Many respondents expressed frustration with slow progress and systemic barriers.
There is a strong desire for local, community-driven solutions, but recognition that existing structures and power dynamics make change difficult.
Energy and agriculture are seen as particularly resistant to rapid transformation due to entrenched interests and regulatory frameworks.
Long Distance Transport
• Themes: Change is expected to be incremental. Technology solutions (like EVs) are unlikely to scale quickly. The built environment keeps people reliant on vehicles. Some hope for more e-bikes and scooters, but most see little proactive change unless forced by disruption.
• Barriers: Distribution of housing and amenities, financial interests in transport, and lack of significant policy shifts.
Short Distance Transport
• Themes: Incremental change, with some optimism for active transport (e-bikes, scooters). However, the built environment and urban planning still favor car use.
• Barriers: Infrastructure and urban design, slow adoption of alternatives.
Communication
• Themes: Incremental change expected. Technology is evolving, but not all respondents see major shifts in how communication will impact the new economy.
• Barriers: Gatekeepers, algorithms, and disinformation are concerns.
Food & Dietary Preferences
• Themes: Incremental change, with some expecting more plant-based diets. Financial interests in commercial food production and advertising limit cultural shifts. Climate impacts may force change by necessity.
• Barriers: Aging farmers, consolidation of ownership, overconsumption, and resistance to change.
Agriculture
• Themes: Incremental change, but concerns about aging farmers, consolidation, and automation. Standards and supply chains are controlled by big industry, not suited to small/local producers.
• Barriers: Industry standards, lack of support for local/circular producers, climate and biodiversity threats.
Energy
• Themes: More renewables expected, but transition is slow. Concerns about reinforcing existing power structures and environmental impacts of renewables. Some hope for microgrids and local energy systems.
• Barriers: Demand continues to rise, extraction impacts, and prioritization of large-scale over local solutions.
Asset Valuation & Exchange
• Themes: Incremental change, with some expecting a re-evaluation of housing and credits of exchange. Housing may shift from asset to right.
• Barriers: Financialization, inequality, and lack of policy reform.
Enterprise Structures
• Themes: Incremental reform for social enterprise and co-ops is still a battle. Some hope for more cooperatives and social enterprises, but change is slow.
• Barriers: Regulatory environment, lack of education/support for co-ops, impact investment challenges.
Societal Governance
• Themes: Incremental change, with some hope for more local/independent governance and bioregional approaches. Concerns about rising authoritarianism and lack of organization for democratic transformation.
• Barriers: Political inertia, state capture, lack of local power, and risk of increased inequality.
In Your Work What Are the Inhibitors?
Common Themes:
• Agency and empowerment: Many struggle with a lack of personal and collective agency, and wish more people felt empowered to act.
• Systemic barriers: Respondents highlight the “stickiness” of capitalism, entrenched power structures, and regulatory hurdles.
• Cultural and psychological barriers: Ignorance, apathy, individualism, and the inability to imagine alternatives are seen as major obstacles.
• Disinformation and paradigm lock-in: Concerns about disinformation, obsolete worldviews, and resistance to challenging mainstream positions.
• Professional and sectoral silos: Some mention narrow disciplinary expertise and lack of recognition for impact work.
• Need for new narratives: There’s a desire for a common vision and narrative to empower activists and catalyze transformation.
Notable Quotes:
• “Capitalism is sticky.”
• “Lack of personal agency – people too often play the victim.”
• “Ignorance, individualism, apathy.”
• “Developing a common vision, narrative and strategy with explanatory videos to inform and empower activists and catalyse a transformational movement.”
• “Incremental reform for social enterprise and coops is still a battle.”
What Can We Do Together That You Can't Do Alone?
What Can We Do Together That You Can't Do Alone?
Priorities for working together
Common Themes:
• Movement building: Many want to focus on building proactive movements for transformation and the erosion of capitalism.
• Community and local governance: Respondents emphasise strengthening local communities, bioregional approaches, and local governance.
• Reforming standards and supply chains: There is a desire to shift standards and supply chains to support local, circular, and small producers.
• Expanding participation: Increasing community participation in governance and economic decision-making is a recurring priority.
• Education and awareness: Some want to focus on education, both in formal settings and through public awareness campaigns.
• Policy and regulatory reform: Calls for changes in policy, especially to support co-operatives, social enterprises, and climate action.
• Climate and energy transition: Prioritising the transition to renewable energy and sustainable practices.
Notable Quotes:
• “Movement building for proactive transformation and the erosion of capitalism.”
• “Building local community where I live.”
• “Expanding community participation.”
• “Co-operative regulatory environment.”
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