Lost in Transition or Geared for the S-Curve? An Analysis of Flemish Transition Trajectories with a Focus on Energy Use and Buildings

Abstract

Abstract:In recent years, many cities have adopted action plans to become climate neutral in the coming decades. Hereby, a strong motivational factor has been the goal to realize a win-win situation in the long term: climate neutrality and sustainable functioning are not only beneficial for the environment, but are equally beneficial for society and for the economy if well-integrated trajectories are adopted. Nevertheless, as actors across the fields start to implement these plans, many practical obstacles have arisen. These barriers are typical of a systemic transition: dominant practices are characterized by path dependencies, vast institutional frameworks and vested interests that are hard to break through. At the same time, relevant initiatives typically show some elements of uncertainty and a long term return, factors that make it difficult to attract financial investments. The present article addresses the state of the art for current transition experiments in the region of Flanders, Belgium, focusing on actions related to energy and buildings in cities. A brief overview of the state of affairs in several cities and provinces is presented, and some important opportunities and bottlenecks are identified. The resultant findings are tested against the framework of transition theory and related literature on the subject. Subsequently, a set of possible strategies to overcome the above mentioned barriers is formulated. These strategies focus on effectively mobilizing actors and investments. OPEN ACCESSSustainability 2015, 7 2416

The need for comprehensive and well targeted instrument mixes to stimulate energy transitions: The case of energy efficiency policy

“…Furthermore, those responsible for making decisions about energy efficiency improvements may be hesitant to accept another phase of disruption after already having had relatively simple and low-cost technologies installed. For example, building owners may not be supportive of additional and deeper energy efficiency improvements once the low-cost options have been installed [34]. Also, if several technical measures with different payback periods are 'packaged' it is likely to be easier to persuade asset owners to invest in more costly technologies compared to when considering them individually [22].…”

Learning through evaluation – A tentative evaluative scheme for sustainability transition experiments

“…The ultimate objective of conducting transition experiments is to provide generalizable 347 evidence that a solution works beyond overly specific and narrow circumstances (Bos and 348 Brown, 2012;Vandevyvere and Nevens, 2015). A transition experiment is intended to 349 facilitate the up-take of its results.…”

“…Support refers to structural, financial and nonfinancial resources as well as assistance from 734 public and private authorities in preparing and executing sustainability transition experiments 735 (Bos and Brown, 2012;Vandevyvere and Nevens, 2015). It also includes voluntary and in-736 kind contributions and donation of work beyond normal obligations (Moore et al, 2005;Wiek 737 et al, 2015).…”

Urban Transformations

“…Further examples of the efficient use of resources are retrofitted buildings, to reduce energy consumption (Vandevyvere and Nevens 2015), and the maintenance and enlargement of urban green spaces , to provide cost-efficient benefits from the delivered ecosystem services, such as reducing air pollution and urban heat island effect. Currently, ongoing urban land use and surface sealing are limiting the existence and the functionality of ecosystem services; e.g., green spaces are reduced by housing construction and infrastructure enlargement.…”