Bridging the disconnect between practice and system: the “Just Transition Pathway” as a tool for steering practical solutions towards more systemic impact
report
Innovation projects targeting complex societal challenges such as climate change, food loss, and digital transformation often struggle to scale their solutions beyond pilot phases. This paper identifies three structural causes of this disconnect between innovation practice and systemic impact—overstated ambition, technological determinism, and contextual isolation. Using the EU Horizon project ZeroW as a case study, we introduce the Just Transition Pathway (JTP) as a practical instrument to bridge this gap. The JTP combines systemic foresight, stakeholder consultation, scenario development, and economic modelling to embed justice, inclusivity, and sustainability at the heart of transition design. Through the co-creation of alternative pathways and the development of seven “Just Pathway Actions,” the ZeroW project demonstrated how technical innovations can be aligned with broader systemic dynamics, while also addressing equity concerns such as the digital divide and disproportionate burdens on vulnerable actors. The findings highlight the JTP’s value as both an analytical and operational framework for linking local solutions to long-term systemic transformations. By reframing ambition, integrating social and behavioural dimensions, and embedding pilots within governance structures, the JTP provides a roadmap for scaling innovations in ways that are both just and impactful.
Topics
TNO Identifier
1032209
Publisher
TNO
Collation
17 p.