Linking impact pathways and transition design: Conceptualising the climate lab model for regional sustainability transition

Achieving circular, climate-resilient and socially just regional transitions requires more than technological innovation or isolated policy measures. It requires transition infrastructures that connect experimentation, stakeholder legitimacy, behavioural change, cross-sector partnerships, peaceful and resilient communities, and market uptake. This Open Letter conceptualises the Climate Lab of Savonia University of Applied Sciences as a Living-Lab-based regional transition infrastructure for cleaner production, circular economy and climate adaptation. The paper integrates Living Lab scholarship, transition design, business model innovation and prospective impact assessment into a single conceptual model structured around three linked functions: (1) awareness and dialogue, (2) co-creation and experimentation, and (3) uptake, innovation and diffusion. It present a framing into a 5P lens—People, Planet, Profit, Partnership and Peace—thereby linking social legitimacy and just participation, environmental regeneration and climate resilience, economically viable innovation pathways, durable multi-actor collaboration and societal preparedness/security. Using Business Model Canvas and Value Proposition Canvas approaches, the paper clarifies how the Climate Lab creates value for SMEs and other companies, RDI actors and civil society, and authorities. Particular emphasis is placed on behavioural change, legitimacy, social acceptance, partnership formation and peace-oriented resilience as core intermediate outcomes rather than secondary conditions. The main conclusion is that the Climate Lab extends the conventional Living Lab model by combining place-based co-creation with strategic foresight, impact pathways and commercialisation support. This systemic and anticipatory orientation makes the model especially relevant for circular-economy and cleaner-production transitions in which successful uptake depends on preparedness, trust, cross-sector coordination and socially peaceful transition processes.