The role of the socio-technical regime in the sustainable energy transition: A case of the Eurasian Arctic

This study investigates the role of the socio-technical regime in the global energy system transition towards sustainability within the context of exploitation of oil and natural gas resources, illustrated by the case of the Eurasian Arctic. The study design and methodology are inspired by a multi-level perspective framework. The Arctic case is examined through a 'salient-reverse salient' approach. The analysis shows that the exploitation is ongoing, independent of global sustainability goals and strong landscape pressures. We observe a lack of alignment between the different levels of the global energy system, where regime salients dominate over other factors. Incumbent actors acknowledge high levels of inertia and dependency within the oil and gas industry. The study concludes that a deeper focus on the capacities and qualities of the socio-technical regime can facilitate the sustainable energy transition. We suggest a more systematic view of transition studies, and theoretical and methodological pluralism via a combination of frameworks. We highlight the need to include the oil and gas industry as an eligible actor and factor in discussions of the sustainable energy transition, and also suggest 'unlocking' the regime through greater attention to its inertia and momentum.