Sustainability Transitions Research: An Introduction

Sustainability transitions research examines how societies can fundamentally transform their socio-technical systems toward collectively envisioned sustainable futures, which themselves are continuously negotiated and redefined. This chapter introduces key concepts, development, and significance of this emerging interdisciplinary field. We begin by defining sustainability transitions through three core components: socio-technical systems that encompass intertwined technological artifacts and social structures; transition processes as fundamental, multi-dimensional changes occurring over long timespans; and the contested character of sustainability goals that evolve through ongoing societal negotiation. The field has evolved from its 1990s origins to embrace diverse theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches, and as established frameworks have provided valuable analytical tools, emerging research directions – including spatial dimensions, power dynamics, and methodological diversification – are imperative for understanding contemporary challenges. This chapter sets the foundation for the handbook, introducing key concepts and debates that are explored in depth throughout subsequent chapters on theoretical frameworks, transition dynamics, methodological approaches, and future research directions.