Implementing transition management in a ‘pristine’ policy context. Flemish experiences and a research agenda. 19 September 2007, Schloss Blankensee / Berlin Erik Paredis Ghent University Centre for Sustainable Development Flemish Centre of Expertise for SD Workshop ‘Politics and governance in sustainable socio-technical transition’

TM projects in Flanders Sustainable Housing and Building (DuWoBo): Sustainable Housing and Building (DuWoBo): started in late 2004 started in late 2004 Objectives: developing an agenda for change and learning about TM Objectives: developing an agenda for change and learning about TM Succeeded in formulating a vision, transition images, transition paths, projects and experiments Succeeded in formulating a vision, transition images, transition paths, projects and experiments Currently in phase of operationalising projects and experiments Currently in phase of operationalising projects and experiments Sustainable Material Use (Plan C): Sustainable Material Use (Plan C): started in early 2006 started in early 2006 Objectives: developing an agenda for change and learning about TM Objectives: developing an agenda for change and learning about TM Succeeded in formulating a vision and preliminary transition images Succeeded in formulating a vision and preliminary transition images Currently in phase of formulating transition images and paths Currently in phase of formulating transition images and paths Projects in sustainable agriculture: Projects in sustainable agriculture: One halted in 2007 during preparatory phase: no agreement between participants on objectives and methodology One halted in 2007 during preparatory phase: no agreement between participants on objectives and methodology One in exploratory phase One in exploratory phase

The Flemish context Knowledge base: Knowledge base: Superficial knowledge of system innovation and transitions Superficial knowledge of system innovation and transitions Some preparatory policy studies referring to TM as “promising” Some preparatory policy studies referring to TM as “promising” Very limited experience with scenario thinking Very limited experience with scenario thinking Institutional base: Institutional base: Embedded predominantly in environmental policy; no SD policy Embedded predominantly in environmental policy; no SD policy Plan C: link to reorganisation of the Flemish administration Plan C: link to reorganisation of the Flemish administration Environmental policy as one of the only fields with some tradition in strategic planning Environmental policy as one of the only fields with some tradition in strategic planning Support from advisory councils Support from advisory councils Limited experience with participatory processes Limited experience with participatory processes Building blocks for transition projects prior to 2004/2005: Strongly influenced by bottom-up process, building on small, informal and parallel networks between officials, researchers, (secretariats of) advisory councils

Project 1: Sustainable Housing and Building (DuWoBo) Some characteristics: Some characteristics: Application of TM framework as developed by J. Rotmans et al. Application of TM framework as developed by J. Rotmans et al. Managed by an official from the environmental department Managed by an official from the environmental department Dutch project leaders (DRIFT/TNO), with subcontracting of Flemish research group CDO/UGent and consultant agency Pantopicon Dutch project leaders (DRIFT/TNO), with subcontracting of Flemish research group CDO/UGent and consultant agency Pantopicon Composition of transition institutions: dominated by officials, civil organisations, intermediaries Composition of transition institutions: dominated by officials, civil organisations, intermediaries Some results: Some results: Vision and transition images for 2030 Vision and transition images for 2030 Transition paths and projects/experiments for 4 themes: co- learning and innovation in the building sector, close the circle, housing for life, living centres Transition paths and projects/experiments for 4 themes: co- learning and innovation in the building sector, close the circle, housing for life, living centres Follow-up in network Arena+, with further development of projects and experiments Follow-up in network Arena+, with further development of projects and experiments

Project 2: Sustainable Material Use (Plan C) Some characteristics: Some characteristics: Application of TM framework as developed by J. Rotmans et al. Application of TM framework as developed by J. Rotmans et al. Managed by an official from the waste agency Managed by an official from the waste agency Project coaching by two Flemish consultant agencies (Resource Analysis, Pantopicon), plus two researchers specialised in multi-actor processes (KUL) Project coaching by two Flemish consultant agencies (Resource Analysis, Pantopicon), plus two researchers specialised in multi-actor processes (KUL) ICT use in internal communication: Website ‘Projectweb’, movie ICT use in internal communication: Website ‘Projectweb’, movie Composition of transition institutions: dominated by officials, business, science Composition of transition institutions: dominated by officials, business, science Some results: Some results: Leitbild and transition images Leitbild and transition images 5 working groups developing transition paths and projects/experiments: intelligent closing of cycles, tailored materials, at your service, alert public, green plastics 5 working groups developing transition paths and projects/experiments: intelligent closing of cycles, tailored materials, at your service, alert public, green plastics Full transtition agenda by Spring 2008 Full transtition agenda by Spring 2008

Elements for discussion Important stimuli of TM for Flanders: Important stimuli of TM for Flanders: Introduction of long-term thinking about sustainable development Introduction of long-term thinking about sustainable development Founding a broader knowledge base about system innovation and transitions Founding a broader knowledge base about system innovation and transitions New networking between organisations and individuals, with new chances for frontrunners New networking between organisations and individuals, with new chances for frontrunners New forms of participatory processes New forms of participatory processes Tensions in the implementation of TM in Flanders: Tensions in the implementation of TM in Flanders: Evolution from experimental projects in the shadow of regular policy towards a cornerstone of (SD) policy Evolution from experimental projects in the shadow of regular policy towards a cornerstone of (SD) policy Composition of the transition institutions, frontrunners and legitimacy Composition of the transition institutions, frontrunners and legitimacy Diverging perspectives on sustainable development, system innovation and TM Diverging perspectives on sustainable development, system innovation and TM Management of expectations, in particular in a project approach Management of expectations, in particular in a project approach