In this paper, we approach a fair and inclusive transition to a circular economy from a perspective of daily rhythms and illustrate these concepts using examples from the electricity and transport sectors. The circular economy discourse endorses sharing and efficiently using capital assets. To be effective, such strategies further need to manage the timing of demand. Dynamic pricing is frequently used to manage, for example, the demand for electricity services and to match demand with the capacity of production. Congestion charges for road usage similarly aim to shape peak demand. The economic and environmental benefits of these schemes have been demonstrated, but the social consequences remain underexplored. Dynamic prices forge new everyday rhythms and contribute to “shift consumption” by limited access during peak demand. We inquire whether, and to what extent, the existing schemes of dynamic pricing consider issues of equality, equity and fairness when offering time-dependent and dynamic tariffs, and highlight the policy implications of promoting a circular economy with effective and more socially just management of the timing of demand.

New energy technologies present opportunities for low-carbon housing but also significant upfront costs for house owners. Due to the long service life of such technologies, market valuation impacts on the feasibility of such investments. Yet, existing evidence on the market valuation of energy investments in private housing is inconclusive. Furthermore, despite significant policy efforts, energy performance certificates remain ineffective. This paper addresses these gaps with a study of real estate agents and the use of market devices, such as tools, databases, classification schemes, inspection protocols and market practices. Our analytical framework builds on the sociology of markets, actor network theory and pragmatist theories of valuation in order to highlight the material and discursive assemblages and arrangements that intervene in the construction of markets. Drawing on empirical evidence from Finland, the results point to asymmetries in market devices and valuation practices that disfavour energy investments compared to the other key quality attributes of housing.

Time, harriedness and various time-related strategies of slowing down the pace of life have been introduced as critical standpoints in the literature on sustainable consumption. However, the pace of life has received relatively little attention in official policy documents on sustainable consumption. Slow living and wealth-in-time appear as promising and catchy slogans that nevertheless leave few or no marks on environmental policy as it unfolds. Focusing on the policy processes of Local Agenda 21 in Helsinki and of the Finnish National Committee on Sustainable Consumption, an attempt is made to understand how expertise and lay understandings about the pace of life are constituted, and to account for how these themes are introduced, debated and marginalised in policy formulation.

Strategic research indicates a problem-oriented, collaborative process of knowledge creation. Analysing a Finnish research project Smart Energy Transition and a related Delphi survey, we conceptualize strategic research as ‘futures work’ and as translations of technologies, time frames and narratives into a future vision. We ask 1) What is the role of the notion of disruption in strategic research and in the acts of translation? 2) What are the available means of articulating “disruption” in a Delphi survey? and 3) How do academics carrying out strategic research align themselves as part of actor networks? We find that the notion of disruption mediates the boundaries between science, business and policy. Moreover, plural time frames of short-term changes in actor networks and long-term speculative visions enable boundary work. Alignment between actors hinges on methodology, specific academic backgrounds and expertize, public energy discourses, national and industry interests, as well as neoliberal policy approaches that see futures as business opportunities.