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Cross-system cascades as drivers of the electrification pathway in net-zero transitions

Nature Sustainability (2026)Cite this article

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Abstract

While negative sustainability effects of cross-system interactions are well studied, positive cross-system cascades are less well understood. This Perspective shows that these cascade dynamics are already important in net-zero electrification transitions and will probably become more important in the coming years due to positive interactions between core innovations (including solar-photovoltaics, wind power, batteries, heat pumps, electric furnaces and green hydrogen), a key resource (net-zero electricity) and various complementary innovations. This Perspective discusses 12 cross-system cascade processes across technology, resource, actor and institutional dimensions. The Perspective also provides actionable policy recommendations for further stimulating positive cross-system cascades and accelerating net-zero transitions.

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Fig. 1: Cross-system cascades in net-zero transitions.
Fig. 2: Renewable energy deployment and energy costs.
Fig. 3: Deployment of battery electric vehicles and battery costs.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge funding from the Research Council of Norway under grant no. 296205 (FME NTRANS). A.D.A. acknowledges additional support from Novo Nordisk Fonden (grant no. NNF23OC0083159).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Manchester Institute of Innovation Research, Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK

    Frank W. Geels

  2. Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Allan Dahl Andersen

  3. Centre for Technology, Innovation and Culture, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    Allan Dahl Andersen

Authors
  1. Frank W. Geels
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  2. Allan Dahl Andersen
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F.W.G. and A.D.A. contributed equally to the writing and revising of all sections of the paper.

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Correspondence to Allan Dahl Andersen.

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Geels, F.W., Andersen, A.D. Cross-system cascades as drivers of the electrification pathway in net-zero transitions. Nat Sustain (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-025-01728-0

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