The Next 50 Years: Four European Energy Futures

In 2004 the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs published a white paper on innovation in energy policy describing a new approach to persistent environmental problems: transition management.
Transitions are defined as processes of socio-technical evolution in which economic, institutional and technological structures develop interactively and change drastically in the long run.

Transition management prescribes the way in which society-wide and complex system innovations can be guided deliberately towards goals of sustainability. So far, one important element of transition management has been implemented: the establishment of national innovation alliances between industry, research and local government. A recent review of energy transition policy by a high-level advisory commission compliments the Ministry on its pioneering role, but suggests strengthening the international component of transition policy. This essay concerns the European dimension of transition policy.
Energy Research Centre via EnergyBulletin.net