Developing Policy Pathways: Redesigning Transition Arenas for Mid-range Planning

Sampsa Hyysalo, Jani Lukkarinen, Paula Kivimaa, Raimo Lovio, Armi Temmes, Mikael Hildén, Tatu Marttila, Karoliina Auvinen, Sofi Perikangas, Allu Pyhälammi, Janne Peljo, Kaisa Savolainen, Louna Hakkarainen, Mikko Rask, Kaisa Matschoss, Timo Huomo, Annukka Berg and Mari Pantsar
Additional contact information
Sampsa Hyysalo: Aalto University, Otaniementie 14, 02150 Espoo, Finland
Jani Lukkarinen: Finnish Environment Institute, Latokartanonkaari 11, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
Paula Kivimaa: University of Sussex, Sussex House, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9RH, UK
Raimo Lovio: Aalto University, Otaniementie 14, 02150 Espoo, Finland
Armi Temmes: Aalto University, Otaniementie 14, 02150 Espoo, Finland
Mikael Hildén: Finnish Environment Institute, Latokartanonkaari 11, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
Tatu Marttila: Aalto University, Otaniementie 14, 02150 Espoo, Finland
Karoliina Auvinen: Aalto University, Otaniementie 14, 02150 Espoo, Finland
Sofi Perikangas: Aalto University, Otaniementie 14, 02150 Espoo, Finland
Allu Pyhälammi: Aalto University, Otaniementie 14, 02150 Espoo, Finland
Janne Peljo: SITRA, Finnish independence fund, Itämerenkatu 11-13, 00180 Helsinki, Finland
Kaisa Savolainen: Aalto University, Otaniementie 14, 02150 Espoo, Finland
Louna Hakkarainen: Aalto University, Otaniementie 14, 02150 Espoo, Finland
Mikko Rask: Consumer Society Research Centre, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
Kaisa Matschoss: Consumer Society Research Centre, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
Timo Huomo: Consumer Society Research Centre, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
Annukka Berg: Finnish Environment Institute, Latokartanonkaari 11, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
Mari Pantsar: SITRA, Finnish independence fund, Itämerenkatu 11-13, 00180 Helsinki, Finland

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 3, 1-22

Abstract: Sustainability transitions require new policy pathways that significantly reduce the environmental impacts caused by, for example, energy production, mobility and food production. Transition management (TM) is one of the approaches aiming at the creation of new ways to govern transitions. It uses transitions arenas (TA) as a key process and platform where new policy pathways are created in collaboration with multiple (frontrunner) stakeholders. TM’s ambitious and demanding agenda is not easy to implement. There is a continued need for testing and developing new ways of carrying out its key processes. We redesigned the TA process in the context of energy system change in Finland by 2030, focusing on interim goals, mid-range change pathways and developing a new notation system that allows participants to directly create the pathways. The resulting renewed TA process results in more specific and detailed mid-range pathways that provide more concreteness to how to implement long-term transition goals. It helps to bridge long-term national visions/strategies and low carbon experiments that are already running. The Finnish TA work created eight ambitious change pathways, pointing towards new and revised policy goals for Finland and identifying specific policy actions. Evaluation of the TA, 6–9 months after its completion underscores that an effective TA needs to be embedded by design in the particular political context that it seeks to influence. It is too early to say to what degree the pathways will be followed in practice but there are positive signs already.

Keywords: transition management; transition arena; sustainability transitions; pathway; codesign; energy policy; mid-range planning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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