Just Socio-Ecological Transition As a Techno-Political Experiment: The New Orientation of the Chilean Climate Change and Socio-Environmental Transition

In the global context of climate change and the shift towards sustainable economies, the Chilean government—aligned with the “new left” political movements—has embedded the notion of “justice” into its approach to the ecological transition. This presentation draws on a theoretical framework rooted in Science and Technology Studies (STS) to conceptualize the Just Socio-Ecological Transition (JSET) as a techno-political experiment, where laws, policies, and programs form an assemblage shaping the response to climate change within a centralized state apparatus.

Through a systematic analysis of over 20 official documents, complemented by interviews with 25 key actors from the public sector, academia, and civil society, this research traces the socio-ecological dimensions of this techno-politics. I examine its normative foundations, temporal trajectories, and the challenges it faces, such as the tension between standardization efforts and the local contingencies encountered during its implementation. In this way, the JSET is explored not only as a policy framework but also as a dynamic and contested pathway of socio-ecological change.

This paper contributes to: i) understanding the formation and evolution of a national public policy for climate change transition, ii) analyzing how theoretical-normative concepts of justice are operationalized within the South American context, and iii) fostering dialogue between environmental sociology, institutionalism, and Science and Technology Studies, with implications for both governance and climate justice in the Global South.