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Geography of eco-innovations vis-à-vis geography of sustainability transitions: Two sides of the same coin?

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  • Hendrik Hansmeier

    (Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI, Karlsruhe, Germany)

Abstract

The need to develop and disseminate solutions to address environmental challenges such as climate change or resource depletion is more urgent than ever. However, the spatial dimension of pathways towards sustainability has only attracted scholarly interest in recent years, particularly through largely parallel research on the geography of eco-innovations and the geography of sustainability transitions. By systematically reviewing the literature, this article aims to compare both lines of research, devoting special attention to the role of regions and actors. While the geography of eco-innovations field focuses on local and regional conditions that enable the emergence of environmentally friendly technologies and industries, research on the geography of sustainability transitions highlights the place-specific but multiscalar nature of socio-technical change, taking into account the role of different actor groups. The review identifies numerous complementarities between both fields that may serve as starting points to further integrate geographical work on eco-innovations and transformative change.

Suggested Citation

  • Hendrik Hansmeier, 2021. "Geography of eco-innovations vis-à-vis geography of sustainability transitions: Two sides of the same coin?," GEIST - Geography of Innovation and Sustainability Transitions 2021(07), GEIST Working Paper Series.
    • Handle: RePEc:aoe:wpaper:2107
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    Keywords

    geography; eco-innovations; sustainability transitions; green technologies; socio-technical systems; systematic literature review;
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