Planning the phasing-out of non-sustainable structures and policies („exnovation governance“)

Innovations and their promotion are often insufficient for replacing established non-sustainable structures that are still economically functioning (sometimes helped by subsidies). The focus on innovation should thus be complemented (not replaced) by a stronger occupation in politics and research with “exnovation”: the exit from non-sustainable infrastructures, technologies, products and practices. Given path dependencies and resistance of established actors, political exnovation intentions face significant challenges. The project thus asks which measures are appropriate for political enforcement of exnovation, and how the exnovation process can be carried out in a socioeconomically acceptable manner. It discusses the challenges as well as governance approaches, based on a combination of scientific literature with past and present political case examples. It is intended to provide a conceptual frame as well as a practically orientated impulse for further discussion on various exnovation and structural change processes that are necessary for environmental reasons.