How can we drive sustainability transitions?

Sustainability transitions are required to address challenges of climate change, economic development, ecological integrity, and social justice. Driving sustainability transitions is difficult but necessary work. We discuss sustainability challenges and the need for transitions, with a focus on the...

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Main Authors: Michael Mintrom, Briony C. Rogers
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2022-07-01
Series:Policy Design and Practice
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/25741292.2022.2057835
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author Michael Mintrom
Briony C. Rogers
author_facet Michael Mintrom
Briony C. Rogers
author_sort Michael Mintrom
collection DOAJ
description Sustainability transitions are required to address challenges of climate change, economic development, ecological integrity, and social justice. Driving sustainability transitions is difficult but necessary work. We discuss sustainability challenges and the need for transitions, with a focus on the vital roles that change agents can play. These change agents exhibit a desire to make change happen. They encourage others to join them in their efforts. After discussing the work of change agents in driving sustainability transitions, we present a case study of change in Perth, Australia, where change agents have attained considerable success in placing that city on a path toward sustainable water management practices. We suggest sustainability transitions can be effectively enabled when change agents: (1) Clarify the problem and articulate a clear vision; (2) Engage others to identify workable solutions and implementation pathways; (3) Secure support from influential stakeholders; (4) Establish effective monitoring tools and learning systems; (5) Foster long-term relationships of trust and mutual support; and (6) Develop narratives that support on-going action.
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spelling doaj.art-18f9a662a910414eb36eeedd74dd69742022-12-22T02:15:40ZengTaylor & Francis GroupPolicy Design and Practice2574-12922022-07-015329430610.1080/25741292.2022.2057835How can we drive sustainability transitions?Michael Mintrom0Briony C. Rogers1School of Social Science, Monash UniversityMonash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, AustraliaSustainability transitions are required to address challenges of climate change, economic development, ecological integrity, and social justice. Driving sustainability transitions is difficult but necessary work. We discuss sustainability challenges and the need for transitions, with a focus on the vital roles that change agents can play. These change agents exhibit a desire to make change happen. They encourage others to join them in their efforts. After discussing the work of change agents in driving sustainability transitions, we present a case study of change in Perth, Australia, where change agents have attained considerable success in placing that city on a path toward sustainable water management practices. We suggest sustainability transitions can be effectively enabled when change agents: (1) Clarify the problem and articulate a clear vision; (2) Engage others to identify workable solutions and implementation pathways; (3) Secure support from influential stakeholders; (4) Establish effective monitoring tools and learning systems; (5) Foster long-term relationships of trust and mutual support; and (6) Develop narratives that support on-going action.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/25741292.2022.2057835Sustainability transitionstransition managementgovernancechange agentspolicy entrepreneurs
spellingShingle Michael Mintrom
Briony C. Rogers
How can we drive sustainability transitions?
Policy Design and Practice
Sustainability transitions
transition management
governance
change agents
policy entrepreneurs
title How can we drive sustainability transitions?
title_full How can we drive sustainability transitions?
title_fullStr How can we drive sustainability transitions?
title_full_unstemmed How can we drive sustainability transitions?
title_short How can we drive sustainability transitions?
title_sort how can we drive sustainability transitions
topic Sustainability transitions
transition management
governance
change agents
policy entrepreneurs
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/25741292.2022.2057835
work_keys_str_mv AT michaelmintrom howcanwedrivesustainabilitytransitions
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