The ultimate goal of sustainable transitions is to create
a more resilient and sustainable society and its creation needs.
The process of shifting from a society that relies on unsustainable practices
such as using fossil fuels or producing waste to a society that operates
in a more sustainable way, such as using renewable energy
and minimizing or eliminating waste through a circular economy practices.
This transition involves changes in technology,
social norms, policies and cultural practices.
It's a complex process.
Such changes can be related to technological advancements, political
and economic shifts, social norms and environmental pressures.
And they require collaboration between various stakeholders,
including individuals, enterprise, businesses, governments,
research centers and universities, and finally, civil society organizations.
Sustainable transitions can be gradual or rapid
and may involve shifts in attitudes, beliefs, values and behaviors, as well
as changes in institutional arrangements and governance systems.
So the driving forces behind these transitions can be complex
and multifaceted and often involve trade offs and conflicting interests.
Nonetheless, understanding and managing these transitions is important
for building more resilient
and adaptive societies that can address emerging challenges and opportunities.
Therefore, in IMIM we focus on this topic to provide our students
with general knowledge and some analytical tools to understand
and, if possible, govern these transitions in the face of rising global challenges
such as climate change, poverty, energy independency,
increasing inequalities.