Analysis of the Dutch Mission-oriented Innovation System for sustainable aviation

Abstract

Modern society faces an increasing number of societal challenges and Mission-oriented Innovation Policy (MIP) has been proposed as a potentially effective method to bring about transformative change. The Mission-oriented Innovation System (MIS) framework is applied in this thesis on the Dutch mission for sustainable aviation. This case is selected, as this is one of the most global sectors in which many actors, networks, and institutions are involved both on a national and international level. The Dutch government wants to reduce carbon emissions of its aviation sector and has published the Civil Policy Memorandum. This policy memorandum delineates a safe, connected, and sustainable growth of the aviation sector in the Netherlands towards 2050. The targets and solutions to achieve carbon reduction are outlined in this document.

To analyze this mission, the five steps of the adjusted structural-functional approach for the MIS have been followed. Literature on how MIP relates to its geographical scope and ensuing coordination problems is currently underdeveloped. This thesis aims to further substantiate MIS components in an international context. Improved understanding and conceptualization of the geographical context on a supranational and global level will guide analysts in their search for interactions. Similarly, it would increase context-awareness amongst policymakers in which the direction the mission is developing.

In total 32 semi-structured interviews were conducted among many actors contributing to the mission. A thematic analysis was conducted to analyze the different system functions. The data gathered from the interviews resulted in many identified barriers from the weakly fulfilled system functions. From these systemic barriers, three networks were identified with the most pressing systemic problems. These are about the governance, as there is a missing central steering of the mission, insufficient upscaling support for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs), and a missing long-term policy framework for technological innovations. To address these barriers, many mission governance actions were identified. However, most of these actions are planned and therefore the barriers are not adequately addressed yet at this moment. This thesis provides many recommended ‘focus points’ and interventions to take into account.