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

Author

Listed:
  • 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Sampsa Hyysalo & Jani Lukkarinen & Paula Kivimaa & Raimo Lovio & Armi Temmes & Mikael Hildén & Tatu Marttila & Karoliina Auvinen & Sofi Perikangas & Allu Pyhälammi & Janne Peljo & Kaisa Savolainen & L, 2019. "Developing Policy Pathways: Redesigning Transition Arenas for Mid-range Planning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-22, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:3:p:603-:d:200309
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Sakari Höysniemi & Arto O. Salonen, 2019. "Towards Carbon-Neutral Mobility in Finland: Mobility and Life Satisfaction in Day-to-Day Life," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-21, September.

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