The “Climate Change Paradigm” at a Crossroads

In the past few decades, climate change has triggered a global science-based, policy-driven process of structural transformation that offers an alternative paradigm to the techno-economic and social systems still dominated by the «fossil energy paradigm». Although the implementation of the climate agenda is still far from the main objectives of the Paris Agreement, this induced transformation is challenged by international changes and internal constraints that slow its progress. In this position paper we highlight, for discussion, some of the processes that may challenge, slow down and weaken the «climate change paradigm» in this phase. We take a socio-economic and policy perspective, but we aim at raising multidisciplinary awareness towards better climate transition policies, improved collective choices, and stronger alliances among actors in the science system, in the economy, and in policy making. Although the «position» of the paper is clear, it does not propose conclusions. We start from highlighting the deep differences between the «fossil energy paradigm» and the «climate change paradigm», then proceed with our selection of two dynamics of innovation and structural change and three geopolitical issues that can create uncertainties for the transition to the «climate change paradigm».