This open access book gathers the results of an interdisciplinary research project led by the Swiss Competence Centers for Energy Research (SCCER CREST) and jointly implemented by several universities. It identifies political, economic and legal challenges and opportunities in the energy transition from a governance perspective by exploring a variety of tools that allow state, non-state and transnational actors to manage the transition of the energy industry toward less fossil-fuel reliance. When analyzing the roles of these actors, the authors examine not only formal procedures such as political and democratic processes, but also market behavior and societal practices. In other words, the handbook focuses on both the behavior and the positive and normative frameworks of political actors, bureaucracies, courts, international organizations, lobby groups, civil society, economic actors and individuals. The authors subsequently use their findings to formulate specific guidelines for lawmakers and other rule-makers, as well as private and public actors. To do so, they draw on approaches stemming from the legal, political and management sciences.

Peter Hettich and Aya Kachi, Introduction -- Part I Interactions Between Swiss and European Energy Systems and Policy: Julia HÃnnni and Tienmu Ma, Swiss Climate Change Law -- Sebastian Heselhaus, The Quest for the Future Energy Mix in the EU and in Switzerland -- Benjamin Hofmann, David Kolcava and Philipp Thaler, The Role of Switzerland in European Electricity Governance -- Leonore Haelg, Tobias S. Schmidt and Sebastian Sewerin, The Design of the Swiss Feed-In Tariff -- Part II: Actors Driving the Energy Transition: Martin FÃœhse, Decentralisation of Energy Generation, Centralisation of Energy Lawmaking -- Raphael Klein and Matthias Finger, The Long-Term Impact of the Electorate on the Swiss Electricity Market Transition -- Peter Hettich, Governing Decentral Energy Systems -- Markus Schreiber, Governance of Energy Innovations -- Mary Jean Bürer, Matthieu de Lapparent, Massimiliano Capezzali and Mauro Carpita, Governance Drivers and Barriers for Business Model Transformation in the Energy Sector -- Andreas Abegg and Phil Baumann, Electricity Utility Companies Entering Private Sector Markets -- Part III: Understanding the Pressure Points of Policy and Acceptance Risks: Adrian Rinscheid and Linards Udris, Referendum Campaigns in Swiss Energy Policy -- Lena Schaffer and Alessio Levis, Public Discourses on (Sectoral) Energy Policy in Switzerland -- Anna Ebers Broughel and Rolf Wüstenhagen, The Influence of Policy Risk on Swiss Wind Power Investment -- Mert Duygan, Aya Kachi, Fintan Oeri, Thiago D. Oliveira and Adrian Rinscheid, Energy Policymaking in Switzerland -- Part IV: Concluding Remarks: Aya Kachi and Peter Hettich, Conclusions and Policy Implications.