ABSTRACT
Introduction The concept of ecosocial transition refers to the efforts of policy-makers, activists and researchers towards creating sustainable changes both practically and conceptually (Elsen 2011, Soots and Gismondi 2008, Fischer-Kowalski et al. 2012). Referring to sustainability, the concept of ecosocial transition combines ecological, economic and social dimensions of development and is interested in the interlinkage between social and ecological sustainability. An increasing number of practical areas of action are addressed by the search for models of ecosocial transition, like cultural life, food production and delivery, local governance, transport and housing. This first chapter aims to clarify conceptual issues related to ecosocial transition. It will provide a view of how ecosocial transition is promoted and manifested for instance as scientific debate, policy-making and networks of actions groups and movements. These are discussed from the perspective of social work and social policy, although their role in ecosocial transition is not yet very visible. Finally, the chapter will critically analyze how social dimensions are understood in the transition movement and sustainability paradigm. The question of how social work and social policy are essentially related to the core topics of ecosocial transition will be looked at in this chapter.
