Using leverage points to identify interventions for transitioning the Dutch road infrastructure sector toward sustainability

The transition toward sustainability in infrastructure sectors requires interventions that address systemic lock-ins rather than isolated technological improvements. However, innovation ecosystem research offers only limited guidance on how public-sector-driven ecosystems can be intentionally steered toward sustainability under conditions of structural inertia. This study employs Donella Meadows’ leverage points framework to identify and categorize potential systemic interventions in the Dutch road infrastructure innovation ecosystem. Using an action-oriented research design conducted over 1.5 years with public clients, contractors, and knowledge institutions, the study identifies 25 interventions across five thematic areas. The findings show that interventions predominantly target system design and feedback structures, the strengthening of governance, foresight, and integration capabilities rather than focusing on parameter-level change. This highlights how transformations in public-sector innovation ecosystems emerge through the gradual reconfiguration of rules, information flows, and coordination mechanisms. The study contributes to innovation ecosystem research by demonstrating how leverage points can be used to guide and structure ecosystem-level intervention strategies and support deliberate steering of public-sector-driven innovation ecosystems toward sustainability.