The Governance of Low-Carbon Transitions in a Multilevel Perspective Framework: How Does the Concept of ‘System Transformation’ Work?

The energy studies on low carbon transition provide valuable insights into the characteristics of socio-technological transitions and the driving factors of appropriate policy intervention. Transition studies have adopted the multilevel perspective framework to inform policymaking and to assess policies for sustainable transitions. Policymakers face challenges in trying to reconcile innovation and sustainability policy objectives. How can the concept of “system transformation” assist policymakers in combining innovation and sustainability goals and building a sustainable innovation policy regime? We reviewed various system transition publications and examined the role that policymakers can play in solving issues arising in the process of shaping system transition to sustainability with the system transformation concept. This paper will provide some determinants of success for niche innovations, regime setting and legitimacy making in a multilevel perspective framework to support policymakers.