Government Capabilities for the Twin Transition: A Multilevel Framework Based on a Narrative Literature Review

Abstract

Two different external socio-technical developments – the (ecological) sustainability transition and the digital transition – require governments to build the capability to respond and lead the way. While there is extensive literature on the sustainable transition and on the digital transition, so far limited attention has been paid to the interconnectedness of these transitions. Furthermore, a thorough understanding of the government capabilities needed to make this ‘twin transition’ work, is lacking. In this study, we aim to bring these separate strands of literature together to identify the required government capabilities for the twin transition. Based on a narrative literature review, we identify institutional, organizational and individual capabilities and highlight interfaces between these levels. We conducted an exploratory test of the value of the framework in two Dutch cities. Our research results in a multilevel conceptual framework of government capabilities for the twin transition. This framework enables governments to strategically develop their capabilities and provides a basis for further academic research on this topic.