Exploring low carbon futures. : Experimental carbon markets as mediating instruments Dk En

Résumé En

The collective production of future-­‐oriented images is a significant activity that enables the design of long-­‐term strategies for climate mitigation. In Europe, the image provided by the Kyoto target induced a particular anticipatory action that consisted in performing carbon markets to provide a framework for climate mitigation. Building on original empirical material (the GETS experiment), we discuss the strategic dimension of performativity as anticipatory action. We argue that the specific activities that supported the performation of theoretical carbon markets were closely related with how strategic actors envisioned the future. The GETS (Greenhouse gas and Electricity Trading Simulation) is an initiative undertaken by the European electricity sector that played an important role in the construction of the EU-­‐ETS.Surprisingly, it is missing from the records. From a theoretical perspective, the paper highlights the role of mediating instruments in enabling the joint process of performing carbonmarkets and unfolding a low carbon future.