Sustainability transitions literature has insufficiently explored the potentially constructive role of industry incumbents and transition intermediaries that cooperate with incumbents for industry energy transition. This study elaborates on transition intermediary functions by building on evidence from sectors where decarbonisation faces severe structural challenges and incumbency. An examination of the Australian Industry Energy Transitions Initiative suggests that transition intermediaries form coalitions with incumbents based on shared beliefs to formulate strategies such as pathways to industry decarbonisation. The case highlights the functions of transition intermediaries for coordinating learning and action by way of advocacy and use of existing expertise and political alliances. Findings suggest that incumbents in established socio-technical regimes may work with transition intermediaries to decarbonise their sectors through incremental changes to existing infrastructure and by using emerging niche technologies. However, on contested issues, incumbents may require concessions from transition intermediaries that ultimately restrain agendas for further-reaching industry energy transition.

中文翻译：

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产业供应链脱碳：以现有企业为导向的产业能源转型中介


可持续转型文献没有充分探讨行业现有企业和与现有企业合作的行业能源转型转型中介机构的潜在建设性作用。本研究以脱碳面临严峻结构性挑战和任职的部门的证据为基础，详细阐述了转型中介功能。对澳大利亚工业能源转型倡议的审查表明，转型中介机构基于共同信念与现有企业结成联盟，以制定行业脱碳途径等战略。该案例强调了过渡中介机构通过宣传和利用现有专业知识和政治联盟来协调学习和行动的职能。研究结果表明，现有社会技术体制中的现有企业可以与转型中介机构合作，通过对现有基础设施进行渐进式改造并使用新兴的利基技术来实现其部门的脱碳。然而，在有争议的问题上，现有企业可能会要求转型中介机构做出让步，这最终会限制进一步实现行业能源转型的议程。