Diversely moving towards a green economy: Techno-organisational decarbonisation trajectories and environmental policy in EU sectors

•Qualitative ex ante approach to study techno-organisational decarbonisation dynamic•Identify sector-specific techno-organisational options to achieve EU targets•Technological innovations are effective if coupled with organisational innovations•Innovation complementarity is a radical innovation strategy that tackles complexity

This paper adopts an ex ante perspective to investigate the potential techno-organisational dynamics related to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the EU by 2030 and 2050. We provide a qualitative analysis based on interviews with representatives from the main manufacturing sectors in the EU. Path dependency and enhanced carbon pricing may support the 'incremental path'. More radical changes are achievable through strong techno-organisational reorganisation and new policy support. It follows that technological innovation is sufficiently effective only if coupled with organisational innovation. Earmarking 'environmental revenues' to support sector R&D is a way to enhance the governance of the innovation-policy realm and create opportunities for radical innovation.