An increasing number of studies have analysed the scope for, and the barriers to, transitions toward sustainability in the context of developing countries building on analytical perspectives from the sustainability transitions literature. This paper introduces a special issue on sustainability transitions in developing countries, which takes stock of this emerging field of research and presents new empirical research that contributes to further advancement of our understanding of the conditions in which sustainability transitions are likely to take place in developing countries and what is involved in these transformative processes. This introductory paper presents the five papers contained in the special issue. The first paper comprises a review of the existing literature on the subject, and the other four papers present new empirical research. The key findings of the papers are discussed in relation to previous research in the field specifically related to four crosscutting themes: (i) global-local linkages and external dependencies; (ii) stability and non-stability of regimes; (iii) undemocratic and non-egalitarian nature of regimes; and (iv) nurturing the development of niches versus the execution of individual projects. The introductory paper concludes by presenting a research agenda, which aims to provide promising avenues for future research on sustainability transitions in developing countries.@en

Intraplate surface deformation is enigmatic and the underlying mechanisms responsible are not fully understood. We use thermo-mechanical numerical modeling to explore the conditions under which lithospheric removal processes can occur and investigate the timing and amplitude of consequent surface deformation. We allow lithospheric removal to develop dynamically and self-consistently by applying a phase transition and density jump that is hypothesized to be a consequence of metamorphic eclogitization in a thickened crust, rather than simply imposing an initial dense block. By systematically varying parameters, we test their influence and control on lithospheric removal. We confirm that a weak and dense lower crust, a hot crust-mantle boundary, and a convergent regime are critical requirements for delamination-style removal. We apply these results to central Mongolia, which is an ideal natural laboratory for studying intraplate surface uplift because of its high topography and location in the continental interior. We determine that the physical parameters and structure inferred in this region match the conditions for delamination. Thus, model outputs are evaluated against the available observational evidence. We find that the removal of the lithosphere by delamination can explain: the dome-shaped topographic pattern and elevated surface; the thin lithosphere and its structure; the elevated temperature at the crust-mantle boundary. Additionally, it is hypothesized that delamination leads to magmatism due to mantle decompression melting, consistent with intraplate volcanism. Ultimately, the results suggest that lithospheric removal by delamination is a physically plausible mechanism and a potential explanation for intraplate uplift.@en