Framing environmental sustainability challenges for research and innovation in European policy agendas

► We reflect on emerging, cooperative research approaches and the definition of environmental sustainability challenges to guide research and innovation. ► We demonstrate that dominant definitions favour techno-fixes that disguise political decisions and that social innovation remains the exception. ► We highlight the need for trans-disciplinary research including an increased role of social science in framing societal challenges. ► We recommend increased involvement of civil society in research agenda setting, including more communication and capacity building.