Upcoming: a special feature in Sustainability Science on "Understanding the embeddedness of individuals within the larger system to support the energy transition"

Together with Katharina Biely (Wageningen University and Research, Knowledge Technology and Innovation Group, The Netherlands), Siddharth Sareen (University of Stavanger and University of Bergen, Norway), and Thomas Bauwens (University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom), we are guest editors of a special feature in Sustainability Science. Technological innovations are a crucial part of the energy transition. However, the social sphere as a force to facilitate the energy transition must not be neglected. While the socio-technical transition theory provides a framework to connect the technological with the social sphere, the role of the individuals within the transition process remains limited (Upham, Bögel et al. 2020). Individuals are reduced to the position of consumers and technology users (Avelino and Wittmayer 2016, Nijhof, Wins et al. 2022), and the social sphere is subject to change rather than an instigator of it (Kivimaa, Laakso et al. 2021).

Potentially alternative concepts need to be developed and employed to understand the role of the individual within the energy transition. With a focus on the energy transition, this special feature is dedicated to compiling scientific contributions that provide insights into how the individual is embedded within the larger system and how individuals are facilitating the energy transition. Thus, the role of the individual is not limited to the consumer or the technology user. Rather special feature contributions identify how individuals are agents of change within the energy transition. Furthermore, the seed of change is not limited to technological or market innovations but includes, for example, social innovations contributing to the energy transition. Scientific articles will also provide insights into how individuals are embedded within the larger system. Alternative approaches to socio-technical or socio-economic transition theory are welcomed to shed fresh light on interconnections and the role of individuals in the energy transition.

The call for abstract is closed. We expect to publish the special issue in January 2024.