Systems and practices: Reviewing intervention points for transformative socio-technical change

Abstract

This article explores new relationships between two sets of theories—the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) and social practice theories (SPT)—that are applicable in planning and evaluating sustainable transition interventions. The authors propose a practical analytical framework to inform the choice of actual policy mixes and help to design and evaluate the results of sustainable energy transition interventions. For this purpose, six policy intervention points are connected across niches, regimes and landscapes stemming from the MLP with six strategies of practice change deriving from SPT. This article presents the results of a systematic review of 34 papers on sustainable energy transitions covering intervention points and practice change strategies. Informed by the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the review, the authors suggest that certain policy intervention points require consideration of specific social practice change strategies to make progress. Bridging the systemic view of the MLP with a zoom-in to ways of changing social practices provides a comprehensive framework both for analysts and change-makers within the field of sustainability transitions.