Work

From commodity to commons: Understanding the transformative potential of mobility cooperatives for just sustainability transitions

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Dominant approaches to mobility transitions appear unable to address persistent problems of unsustainability and injustice. However, where regime actors fail, we expect to see alternative movements developing. This paper investigates the transformative potential of one such alternative – Dutch mobility cooperatives. We draw on transitions and commons literature to understand the role of mobility cooperatives in challenging the Dutch mobility regime and contributing to just sustainability transitions. Based on a single embedded case study design of the Dutch mobility cooperative movement, our results indicate that cooperatives succeed in prefiguring an alternative system based on collective ownership, community spirit, and self-governance. However, they remain entangled with regime characteristics of commodification, an individualist car culture, and market-state governance. We contribute a conceptual framework contrasting mobility commons with the incumbent regime, a deeper understanding of mobility cooperatives and their transformative potential for just mobility transitions, and strategies to further develop this potential.

Source: Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions

DOI: 10.1016/j.eist.2025.101039

Authors: Emil Beemer, Gijs Diercks, Derk Loorbach

Institution: Erasmus University Rotterdam

Language: English

Topic: Sustainability and Climate Change Governance

Subfield: Global and Planetary Change

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,610