The need for speed: mapping a conceptual typology for accelerating transitions toward sustainability

Acceleration has multiple implicit meanings in the emerging literatures on sustainability transitions, systems transformation, and science and technology studies, among other disciplines. But how has acceleration been conceptualised in social sciences literatures analysing transitions towards sustainability? Are there potential synergies across these literatures that can advance our understanding of acceleration? In this paper we take stock of existing knowledge and propose a new conceptual understanding of this increasingly crucial phenomenon based on a systematic and critical literature review consisting of 171 published studies. In doing so, we both map the field and critically interrogate its contributions. The review harnesses insights from both the socio-technical system transitions and broader social science literatures to capture how the different disciplines research the acceleration of transitions towards sustainability. We classify different perspectives that envision acceleration as a phenomenon, a purpose, a process, and a multi-faceted concept. We conclude by presenting a novel conceptual typology of acceleration for sustainability transitions.