Knowledge sharing to increase impact:
RIPEET goes at the International Sustainability conference
Utrecht, 30 August - 1 September 2023

The IST conference, held in Utrecht, Netherlands from August 30th to September 1st, 2023, serves as the annual gathering of the international sustainability scholars' community.
During this event, RIPEET was represented by its coordinator, Wolfgang Haider.
In a session focused on "Transforming Regions," he presented key insights derived from the RIPEET projects. Specifically, his presentation delved into the development trajectories of energy transition in the three pilot regions: Highlands and Islands in Scotland, Extremadura in Spain, and Ostrobothnia in Finland. These regions have made significant progress in socio-technical reconfiguration across various domains of their energy systems over the past decade.
During his presentation, Haider emphasized the importance of a dedicated social innovation approach. This approach extends beyond merely examining their technological advancements, such as wind energy, photovoltaics (PV), or bio-gas. It enables a deeper understanding of how societal norms and practices have either propelled or hindered these transitions.
Through extensive analysis of the regional policy context and expert interviews, RIPEET has been able to identify distinct transition routes taken by these regions. These insights provide a valuable foundation for reflecting on the various roles of actors and their responsibilities in regional energy transition.