Abstract :
Addressing persistent environmental problems (climate change, bio-diversity and resource scarcity) requires shifts in our existing transport, energy, buildings, and agro-food systems. These system innovations will be analyses as socio-technical transitions, because they entail not only new technologies, but also changes in policy, consumer practices, infrastructure, cultural debates and business strategies. This presentation consists of three parts. First, it will show empirical evidence that these transitions are beginning to unfold, although at varying speeds in different domains and countries (faster in electricity than in heat, transport, and agro-food). Second, it will present a conceptual perspective to understand these long-term transformative change processes (which typically last 30?40 years). This multi-level perspective (MLP) accommodates ideas from evolutionary economics, innovation studies and institutional theory. Third, it will highlight and illustrate several strategic dilemmas and puzzles such as: 1) the non-deterministic and non-linear nature of transitions (which often also involve setbacks), 2) governance and policy, 3) power struggles and resistance from vested interests, 4) uncertainties about cultural trends, 5) the decline of incumbent regimes and technologies.
