Only changing policy? The role of coalitions in sustainability transitions

Sustainability transitions can be understood as the transformation of socio-technical systems towards the sustainable provision of societal functions. Socio-technical systems are held together by formal and informal rules, also called institutions. For sustainability transitions to materialize, the formal and informal rules of socio-technical systems need to change. Institutional change is often driven by coordinated collective efforts—typically in the form of coalitions—that mobilize actors, shape policies, and influence socio-technical environments to favor sustainable innovations. The chapter defines coalitions and related concepts such as alliances, social movements, and networks, and reviews their roles within established sustainability transition frameworks, including the Multi-Level Perspective, Technological Innovation Systems, Strategic Niche Management, and Transition Management. The chapter also introduces theoretical strands that use different types of coalition concepts and discusses how they can be applied to sustainability transitions, and finally highlights valuable avenues for future coalition-related research in the field of sustainability transition studies.