Abstract
Combining insights from evolutionary economic geography and socio-technical transition studies, this article provides a conceptual framework and a theory-informed empirical analysis of policy dimensions for regional green restructuring. The combination of these two perspectives allows the application and confrontation of analytical concepts with the particularities of regions, with a specific focus on the role of policy to ensure directionality. Empirically our discussion is illustrated by a case study of Western Norway, a specialized industrial region. We focus on the role of policy for the development of new green technology pathways within this region. We observe that different industry transition pathways within a region are influenced by various combinations of policy action, and that policy for regional green restructuring includes complex policy mixes initiated at different levels of governance. Our framework provides a suitable scheme for assessing the role of policy for green restructuring in regions.
Highlights
Burning fossil fuels, growing greenhouse gas emissions, and a steady increase in the global temperature all call for a green restructuring of current economic systems
economic geography (EEG) scholars have been mainly concerned with understanding how regional economies evolve over time, arguing that industrial development trajectories are linked to past choices and that the scope of policy action is largely conditioned by former practices and choices within regional contexts (Martin, 2010)
We focus on the role of policy for the development of new green technology pathways within the three main sectors in the region: the development of battery technology within the maritime sector, the development of new sustainable salmon aquaculture technology within the seafood sector, and the introduction of carbon capture and storage technology (CCS) within the petroleum sector
Summary
Example, downscaling non-sustainable industries, greening existing industries, or a rise in new, more environmentally friendly industries (Fløysand and Jakobsen, 2017; Trippl et al, 2020). A specific challenge that might be leveraged by policy initiatives is identifying and supporting lead users of new green technology and, more generally, stimulating producer–user interactions Another relevant issue is the need to build competences for innovation procurement among public sector actors (Uyarra et al, 2020). The county council administrations in Western Norway have demanded low- or zero-emission standards in procurements of new ferry contracts (Sjøtun, 2019) These activities indicate a certain degree of policy experimentation to promote the ongoing green restructuring of the maritime sector.
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