Transition pathways in the context of the 8th environment action programme

This paper examines the key aspects of transition pathways to develop a more solid understanding of their definition and main characteristics. Transition pathways represent an approach to envision plausible futures and to understand how change can occur in the direction of these futures. A core underlying aim of the 8th Environment Action Programme (EAP) is to accelerate the green transition "to a climate-neutral, sustainable, non-toxic, resource-efficient, renewable energy-based, resilient and competitive circular economy". Hence, transition pathways can serve as valuable methods for environmental policy making, as they help pinpoint how to induce the needed systemic changes to build this future. By providing strategic knowledge on transition pathways, this report aims to strengthen the EAP and improve efforts to explore change processes and how to build a desired future in relation to its objectives (and, eventually, its 2050 vision).