A speedy transition to low or zero carbon energy systems is necessary to reach the ambitious goals for reducing
carbon emissions set for 2050. Governing such a transition without recession or upheaval presents a challenge to
society which is unprecedented. This report is about governing transitions toward a low-carbon society. Governance is a concept that is used to describe how societies, organisations and networks are collectively steered and governed. Different from
government it emphasises steering enacted in cooperation
and deliberation between public authorities and private
actors. It includes energy and climate policies, and policy
integration, but also the forms and rationalities of
steering, e.g., by money, orders, or talk. A low-carbon
society is one in which carbon emissions are below what
is required for long-term stabilisation of greenhouse
gases. Transition governance for a low-carbon society
includes all purposeful mechanisms and measures aimed
at steering social systems towards making the transition.