International Journal of Sustainable Development http://www.inderscience.com/browse/index.php?journalID=25&year=2012&vol=15&issue=1/2 Inderscience Publishers Ltd en-uk International Journal of Sustainable Development 0960-1406 1741-5268 © 2012 Inderscience Publishers Ltd editor@inderscience.com https://www.inderscience.com/images/files/coverImgs/ijsd_scoverijsd.jpg http://www.inderscience.com/browse/index.php?journalID=25&year=2012&vol=15&issue=1/2 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=44031 This editorial introduces this special issue on the governance and governability of societal system transitions towards sustainability. This debate recently seems to be dominated by a wave of studies that more or less are inspired by the ideas of the so-called transition management approach. In order to broaden this debate, authors from various countries and a variety of theoretical and practical backgrounds are invited to explore sustainability transitions and their governance from a theoretical and/or empirical perspective. This editorial presents some core concepts, theoretical notions and problems that underlie the thinking on sustainability transitions. Next, it introduces the contributions that are part of this special issue and the research questions that they address. Introductory editorial
Joop Koppenjan; Niki Frantzeskaki; Derk Loorbach; Michael B. Charles; Neal Neal
International Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 15, No. 1/2 (2012) pp. 1 - 18
This editorial introduces this special issue on the governance and governability of societal system transitions towards sustainability. This debate recently seems to be dominated by a wave of studies that more or less are inspired by the ideas of the so-called transition management approach. In order to broaden this debate, authors from various countries and a variety of theoretical and practical backgrounds are invited to explore sustainability transitions and their governance from a theoretical and/or empirical perspective. This editorial presents some core concepts, theoretical notions and problems that underlie the thinking on sustainability transitions. Next, it introduces the contributions that are part of this special issue and the research questions that they address.

]]> 10.1504/IJSD.2012.044031 International Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 15, No. 1/2 (2012) pp. 1 - 18 Joop Koppenjan; Niki Frantzeskaki; Derk Loorbach; Michael B. Charles; Neal Neal Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Social Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, P.O. Box 1738, 3000 DR, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. ' DRIFT Dutch Research Institute for Transitions, Faculty of Social Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, P.O. Box 1738, 3000 DR, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. ' DRIFT Dutch Research Institute for Transitions, Faculty of Social Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, P.O. Box 1738, 3000 DR, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. ' Southern Cross Business School, Southern Cross University, Locked Mail Bag 4, Coolangatta, QLD 4225, Australia. ' Southern Cross University, P.O. Box 157, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia societal systems transitions transition governance transition management sustainability transitions sustainable development. 2011-12-01T23:20:50-05:00 15 1/2 1 18 2011-12-01T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=44032 Our paper addresses the inherent tension between the open-ended and uncertain process of sustainability transitions and the ambition for governing such a process. We explore this tension from two theoretical angles: the sustainability and the governance angles; by showing the implications of sustainability targets in governance processes and governance attempts. We propose transition management as a governance approach that has the potential to overcome this tension through selective participatory processes of envisioning, negotiating, learning and experimenting. Transition management includes a portfolio of tools that have a common objective to enable change in practices and structures directed towards sustainable development targets. We present the transition arena and the transition experiments as two transition management tools elaborating on their process design, expected outcomes and illustrating their application in the Dutch construction transition. Governing societal transitions to sustainability
Niki Frantzeskaki; Derk Loorbach; James Meadowcroft
International Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 15, No. 1/2 (2012) pp. 19 - 36
Our paper addresses the inherent tension between the open-ended and uncertain process of sustainability transitions and the ambition for governing such a process. We explore this tension from two theoretical angles: the sustainability and the governance angles; by showing the implications of sustainability targets in governance processes and governance attempts. We propose transition management as a governance approach that has the potential to overcome this tension through selective participatory processes of envisioning, negotiating, learning and experimenting. Transition management includes a portfolio of tools that have a common objective to enable change in practices and structures directed towards sustainable development targets. We present the transition arena and the transition experiments as two transition management tools elaborating on their process design, expected outcomes and illustrating their application in the Dutch construction transition.

]]> 10.1504/IJSD.2012.044032 International Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 15, No. 1/2 (2012) pp. 19 - 36 Niki Frantzeskaki; Derk Loorbach; James Meadowcroft DRIFT Dutch Research Institute For Transitions, Faculty of Social Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, P.O. Box 1738, 3000 DR, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. ' DRIFT Dutch Research Institute For Transitions, Faculty of Social Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, P.O. Box 1738, 3000 DR, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. ' School of Public Policy and Administration, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada sustainability transitions societal transitions governance transition arena transition agenda construction industry sustainable construction sustainable development transition management The Netherlands. 2011-12-01T23:20:50-05:00 15 1/2 19 36 2011-12-01T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=44033 Transition management has become an important topic in scientific research on sustainable development over the last decade. A recurring question is whether, and if so how, transitions towards sustainability can be governed. In this paper we address this question by theoretically comparing transition management theory with a number of related theories on governing societal change, such as multi-actor collaboration, network governance, policy agenda setting and adaptive management. We illustrate the different approaches by analysing the Dutch transition case of the greenhouse as a source of energy from different theoretical perspectives. We conclude that these theories reveal additional and more varied leadership mechanisms and steering options than the overarching approach of transition management alone. Therefore, we suggest an approach of theoretical multiplicity, arguing that multiple theories need to be applied simultaneously for dealing with the complex societal sustainability issues. Towards theoretical multiplicity for the governance of transitions: the energy-producing greenhouse case
Catrien J.A.M. Termeer; Art Dewulf
International Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 15, No. 1/2 (2012) pp. 37 - 53
Transition management has become an important topic in scientific research on sustainable development over the last decade. A recurring question is whether, and if so how, transitions towards sustainability can be governed. In this paper we address this question by theoretically comparing transition management theory with a number of related theories on governing societal change, such as multi-actor collaboration, network governance, policy agenda setting and adaptive management. We illustrate the different approaches by analysing the Dutch transition case of the greenhouse as a source of energy from different theoretical perspectives. We conclude that these theories reveal additional and more varied leadership mechanisms and steering options than the overarching approach of transition management alone. Therefore, we suggest an approach of theoretical multiplicity, arguing that multiple theories need to be applied simultaneously for dealing with the complex societal sustainability issues.

]]> 10.1504/IJSD.2012.044033 International Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 15, No. 1/2 (2012) pp. 37 - 53 Catrien J.A.M. Termeer; Art Dewulf Public Administration and Policy Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 8130, 6700 EW Wageningen, The Netherlands. ' Public Administration and Policy Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 8130, 6700 EW Wageningen, The Netherlands governance transitions transition management sustainability sustainable agriculture theoretical multiplicity sustainable energy greenhouses sustainable development horticultural sector societal change multi-actor collaboration network governance policy agenda setting adaptive management. 2011-12-01T23:20:50-05:00 15 1/2 37 53 2011-12-01T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=44034 To ensure infrastructure assets are procured and maintained by government on behalf of citizens, appropriate policy and institutional architecture are needed, particularly if a fundamental shift to more sustainable infrastructure is the goal. The shift in recent years from competitive and resource-intensive procurement to more collaborative and sustainable approaches to infrastructure governance is considered a major transition in infrastructure procurement systems. In order to better understand this transition in infrastructure procurement arrangements, the concept of emergence from complex adaptive systems (CAS) theory is offered as a key construct. Emergence holds that micro interactions can result in emergent macro order. Applying the concept of emergence to infrastructure procurement, this research examines how interaction of agents in individual projects can result in different industry structural characteristics. The paper concludes that CAS theory, and particularly the concept of 'emergence', provides a useful construct to understand infrastructure procurement dynamics and progress towards sustainability. Infrastructure transitions towards sustainability: a complex adaptive systems perspective
Kerry Brown; Craig Furneaux; Amanda Gudmundsson
International Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 15, No. 1/2 (2012) pp. 54 - 71
To ensure infrastructure assets are procured and maintained by government on behalf of citizens, appropriate policy and institutional architecture are needed, particularly if a fundamental shift to more sustainable infrastructure is the goal. The shift in recent years from competitive and resource-intensive procurement to more collaborative and sustainable approaches to infrastructure governance is considered a major transition in infrastructure procurement systems. In order to better understand this transition in infrastructure procurement arrangements, the concept of emergence from complex adaptive systems (CAS) theory is offered as a key construct. Emergence holds that micro interactions can result in emergent macro order. Applying the concept of emergence to infrastructure procurement, this research examines how interaction of agents in individual projects can result in different industry structural characteristics. The paper concludes that CAS theory, and particularly the concept of 'emergence', provides a useful construct to understand infrastructure procurement dynamics and progress towards sustainability.

]]> 10.1504/IJSD.2012.044034 International Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 15, No. 1/2 (2012) pp. 54 - 71 Kerry Brown; Craig Furneaux; Amanda Gudmundsson School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Southern Cross University, Locked Mail Bag 4, Coolangatta QLD 4225, Australia. ' Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane QLD 4001, Australia. ' QUT Graduate School of Business, Queensland University of Technology, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane QLD 4001, Australia sustainable infrastructure engineering asset management complex adaptive systems theory infrastructure delivery procurement sustainability sustainable development infrastructure governance. 2011-12-01T23:20:50-05:00 15 1/2 54 71 2011-12-01T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=44035 There has been scholarly criticism that transition theory has hitherto largely neglected the politics involved in transition governance. This article offers an analytical framework for understanding powering and legitimisation in a way that does not a priori assume that such politics is bound to inhibit transition processes: it seeks to outline how, and under what conditions, strategies to deal with such politics may constructively interfere with transition dynamics towards sustainability. Based on the application of the framework to a historical transition, the modernisation of Dutch agriculture in the decades following World War II, we draw some lessons on transition governance, concerning the need for learning not only during the starting phase of a transition, but also during its acceleration; the opportunities offered by other actors than merely frontrunners; and the need to nurture, and deal with, diversity. The politics of transition governance in Dutch agriculture. Conceptual understanding and implications for transition management
John Grin
International Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 15, No. 1/2 (2012) pp. 72 - 89
There has been scholarly criticism that transition theory has hitherto largely neglected the politics involved in transition governance. This article offers an analytical framework for understanding powering and legitimisation in a way that does not a priori assume that such politics is bound to inhibit transition processes: it seeks to outline how, and under what conditions, strategies to deal with such politics may constructively interfere with transition dynamics towards sustainability. Based on the application of the framework to a historical transition, the modernisation of Dutch agriculture in the decades following World War II, we draw some lessons on transition governance, concerning the need for learning not only during the starting phase of a transition, but also during its acceleration; the opportunities offered by other actors than merely frontrunners; and the need to nurture, and deal with, diversity.

]]> 10.1504/IJSD.2012.044035 International Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 15, No. 1/2 (2012) pp. 72 - 89 John Grin Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research, University of Amsterdam, 1012 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands governance transitions transition management transition politics sustainability modernisation Dutch agriculture power legitimacy visions The Netherlands sustainable development diversity. 2011-12-01T23:20:50-05:00 15 1/2 72 89 2011-12-01T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=44036 A growing literature on socio-technical transitions argues that structural change in societal subsystems is necessary to move towards more sustainable societies. Proponents of policy approaches such as 'transition management' have prescribed an important role to governments in such processes, but have so far paid too little attention to the politics of this endeavour. This paper scrutinises the politics of governing the transition to more sustainable energy systems by analysing a particular policy initiative in the UK. The paper finds that discursive struggles between coalitions of actors and the institutional contexts in which these struggles take place constrain as well as enable new policy initiatives. Policy prescriptions of 'transition management' thus need to take into account particular institutional contexts and need to be tied to dominant or emerging discourses to be successful. The discursive politics of governing transitions towards sustainability: the UK Carbon Trust
Florian Kern
International Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 15, No. 1/2 (2012) pp. 90 - 106
A growing literature on socio-technical transitions argues that structural change in societal subsystems is necessary to move towards more sustainable societies. Proponents of policy approaches such as 'transition management' have prescribed an important role to governments in such processes, but have so far paid too little attention to the politics of this endeavour. This paper scrutinises the politics of governing the transition to more sustainable energy systems by analysing a particular policy initiative in the UK. The paper finds that discursive struggles between coalitions of actors and the institutional contexts in which these struggles take place constrain as well as enable new policy initiatives. Policy prescriptions of 'transition management' thus need to take into account particular institutional contexts and need to be tied to dominant or emerging discourses to be successful.

]]> 10.1504/IJSD.2012.044036 International Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 15, No. 1/2 (2012) pp. 90 - 106 Florian Kern SPRU – Science and Technology Policy Research, University of Sussex, Falmer, BN1 9QE, UK socio-technical transitions sustainable energy Carbon Trust politics discourse Hajer Schmidt transition management sustainability climate change transition governance UK United Kingdom sustainable development. 2011-12-01T23:20:50-05:00 15 1/2 90 106 2011-12-01T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=44037 The British Government is attempting, through metagovernance, to encourage a transition to a low carbon electricity generation industry by promoting a revival of nuclear power. This paper considers the barriers that the British Government might encounter by analysing its metagovernance efforts within the context of a dynamic, co-evolving socio-technical regime. It is shown that the British Government's attempts to metagovern a transition to nuclear power are likely to fail. This is because the British Government has failed to secure the support of a number of important stakeholders, is pursuing an unrealistic policy, is subject to critical dependencies, and cannot easily exercise authority over a complex network. The paper concludes by arguing that these failures are due to the British Government's inability to understand the process by which transitions occur. Power failures: metagoverning a revival of nuclear power in Britain
Keith Baker
International Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 15, No. 1/2 (2012) pp. 107 - 124
The British Government is attempting, through metagovernance, to encourage a transition to a low carbon electricity generation industry by promoting a revival of nuclear power. This paper considers the barriers that the British Government might encounter by analysing its metagovernance efforts within the context of a dynamic, co-evolving socio-technical regime. It is shown that the British Government's attempts to metagovern a transition to nuclear power are likely to fail. This is because the British Government has failed to secure the support of a number of important stakeholders, is pursuing an unrealistic policy, is subject to critical dependencies, and cannot easily exercise authority over a complex network. The paper concludes by arguing that these failures are due to the British Government's inability to understand the process by which transitions occur.

]]> 10.1504/IJSD.2012.044037 International Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 15, No. 1/2 (2012) pp. 107 - 124 Keith Baker Department of Social Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK electricity system metagovernance multi-level perspective MLP nuclear power strategic niche management SNM sustainability transitions transition management UK United Kingdom sustainable development nuclear energy low carbon economy transition governance. 2011-12-01T23:20:50-05:00 15 1/2 107 124 2011-12-01T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=44038 High-speed rail (HSR) is becoming commonplace throughout the world. Previous attempts to develop HSR in Australia have been unsuccessful. This article applies scenario-based planning to the introduction of HSR so as to achieve more sustainable intercity mobility along Australia's eastern seaboard. The article identifies regime players and transition drivers to develop a framework depicting possible futures and determine the means by which the transition arena should be managed. It also makes the case for a more 'purposive transition', whereby an optimal pathway is defined and followed, in some instances. The futures developed in the research show what is likely to occur if other pathways are chosen, and suggest how the transition should be governed, from determining which stakeholders' views should be given the most salience, to avoiding a compromised solution that benefits no one. Moving towards sustainable intercity transport: a case study of high-speed rail in Australia
Michael B. Charles; Neal Ryan; Robbert A. Kivits
International Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 15, No. 1/2 (2012) pp. 125 - 147
High-speed rail (HSR) is becoming commonplace throughout the world. Previous attempts to develop HSR in Australia have been unsuccessful. This article applies scenario-based planning to the introduction of HSR so as to achieve more sustainable intercity mobility along Australia's eastern seaboard. The article identifies regime players and transition drivers to develop a framework depicting possible futures and determine the means by which the transition arena should be managed. It also makes the case for a more 'purposive transition', whereby an optimal pathway is defined and followed, in some instances. The futures developed in the research show what is likely to occur if other pathways are chosen, and suggest how the transition should be governed, from determining which stakeholders' views should be given the most salience, to avoiding a compromised solution that benefits no one.

]]> 10.1504/IJSD.2012.044038 International Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 15, No. 1/2 (2012) pp. 125 - 147 Michael B. Charles; Neal Ryan; Robbert A. Kivits School of Commerce and Management, Faculty of Business and Law, Locked Mail Bag 4, Coolangatta, QLD 4225, Australia. ' Southern Cross University, P.O. Box 157, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia. ' School of Commerce and Management, Faculty of Business and Law, Coolangatta, QLD 4225, Australia Australia transition management transition pathway purposive transitions scenario-based planning sustainable intercity mobility high speed rail HSR railways sustainability sustainable development. 2011-12-01T23:20:50-05:00 15 1/2 125 147 2011-12-01T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=44039 Pilot projects are policy instruments mainly applied to introduce or test new practices, concepts or technologies. Pilot projects can lead to a broader policy transition. However, the diffusion process associated with the pilot projects is not well understood. In this paper, we investigate the diffusion of pilot projects, focusing on the nature of the diffusion (the innovation itself, cooperation, methodologies or institutional designs), the channels of diffusion (internal and external) and the patterns of diffusion (dissemination, expansion and institutionalisation). The analytical framework developed for pilot project diffusion is applied to the Saldanha Bay project in South Africa, yielding additional insights on the functioning of the pilot, its contribution to the diffusion of the innovation and so to a policy transition in South African coastal zone management. Finally, we identify types of pilot project and the accompanying design choices that are most suitable for transition management. Pilot projects and their diffusion: a case study of integrated coastal management in South Africa
Heleen Vreugdenhil; Susan Taljaard; Jill H. Slinger
International Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 15, No. 1/2 (2012) pp. 148 - 172
Pilot projects are policy instruments mainly applied to introduce or test new practices, concepts or technologies. Pilot projects can lead to a broader policy transition. However, the diffusion process associated with the pilot projects is not well understood. In this paper, we investigate the diffusion of pilot projects, focusing on the nature of the diffusion (the innovation itself, cooperation, methodologies or institutional designs), the channels of diffusion (internal and external) and the patterns of diffusion (dissemination, expansion and institutionalisation). The analytical framework developed for pilot project diffusion is applied to the Saldanha Bay project in South Africa, yielding additional insights on the functioning of the pilot, its contribution to the diffusion of the innovation and so to a policy transition in South African coastal zone management. Finally, we identify types of pilot project and the accompanying design choices that are most suitable for transition management.

]]> 10.1504/IJSD.2012.044039 International Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 15, No. 1/2 (2012) pp. 148 - 172 Heleen Vreugdenhil; Susan Taljaard; Jill H. Slinger International Centre for Integrated Assessment and Sustainable Development (ICIS), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; Section of Policy Analysis, Delft University of Technology, Jaffalaan 5, 2628 BX, Delft, The Netherlands. ' CSIR, Natural Resources and the Environment, P.O. Box 320, Stellenbosch, 7599, South Africa. ' Section of Policy Analysis, Delft University of Technology, Jaffalaan 5, 2628 BX, Delft, The Netherlands pilot projects integrated coastal management South Africa innovation project diffusion transition management policy change policy implementation transitions policy transition coastal zone management. 2011-12-01T23:20:50-05:00 15 1/2 148 172 2011-12-01T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=44040 In this concluding editorial, we present the central observations regarding the theoretical, empirical and methodological explorations of the various articles that make up this special issue on the governability of societal transitions towards sustainability. We elaborate on the specific contributions of each article to the governance of sustainability transitions and the transition management approach and identify interesting similarities and differences between the various articles. Next, we revisit the guiding questions we formulated in the introductory editorial, and we answer these questions by synthesising the contributions of the eight articles regarding: 1) which theoretical perspectives are fruitful; 2) which empirical pathways and governance principles are available and valuable for governing sustainability transitions; 3) what we learnt about the governability of sustainability transitions; 4) how special sustainability transitions are as far as efforts to govern them are concerned; 5) which normative issues are at stake when attempting to govern sustainability transitions. We conclude the present editorial with an agenda of next challenges for both the practice and the study of the governance of sustainability transitions. Concluding editorial: Sustainability transitions and their governance: lessons and next-step challenges
Niki Frantzeskaki; Joop Koppenjan; Derk Loorbach; Neal Ryan
International Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 15, No. 1/2 (2012) pp. 173 - 186
In this concluding editorial, we present the central observations regarding the theoretical, empirical and methodological explorations of the various articles that make up this special issue on the governability of societal transitions towards sustainability. We elaborate on the specific contributions of each article to the governance of sustainability transitions and the transition management approach and identify interesting similarities and differences between the various articles. Next, we revisit the guiding questions we formulated in the introductory editorial, and we answer these questions by synthesising the contributions of the eight articles regarding: 1) which theoretical perspectives are fruitful; 2) which empirical pathways and governance principles are available and valuable for governing sustainability transitions; 3) what we learnt about the governability of sustainability transitions; 4) how special sustainability transitions are as far as efforts to govern them are concerned; 5) which normative issues are at stake when attempting to govern sustainability transitions. We conclude the present editorial with an agenda of next challenges for both the practice and the study of the governance of sustainability transitions.

]]> 10.1504/IJSD.2012.044040 International Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 15, No. 1/2 (2012) pp. 173 - 186 Niki Frantzeskaki; Joop Koppenjan; Derk Loorbach; Neal Ryan DRIFT Dutch Research Institute For Transitions, Faculty of Social Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, P.O. Box 1738, 3000 DR, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. ' Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Social Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, P.O. Box 1738, 3000 DR, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. ' DRIFT Dutch Research Institute For Transitions, Faculty of Social Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, P.O. Box 1738, 3000 DR, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. ' Southern Cross University, P.O. Box 157, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia socio-technological systems sustainability transitions pathways transition governance lock-in frontrunners sustainable development. 2011-12-01T23:20:50-05:00 15 1/2 173 186 2011-12-01T23:20:50-05:00