The problem of attention management in innovation for sustainability

Abstract The problem of attention management is described as a major challenge in the transition to environmentally sustainable development paths. The design principle that attention is scarce is very different from a principle of “more information is better” when discussing problems of sustainability in technological development. The issue of “attention management” is discussed in various contexts, including R&D and innovation management, scientific communities, and technology policy. Given that environmental policies often “grandfather” existing technologies, more systemic environmental and technological strategies are called for. These require new models for integration of information from much wider ranges of sources and networks of expertise than is the case for present technological innovations in individual industries and companies.