Under CopyrightHüsing, BärbelBärbelHüsingBodenheimer, MiriamMiriamBodenheimerNiessen, PiaPiaNiessenSchwarz, AlexanderAlexanderSchwarz2023-07-102024-09-202023-07-102023https://doi.org/10.24406/publica-1607https://publica.fraunhofer.de/handle/publica/445373https://doi.org/10.24406/publica-160710.24406/publica-1607We investigated the innovation systems of plant-based meat alternatives (PBMA), insect-based meat alternatives (IBMA), and cultivated meat (CM) from the interdisciplinary perspective of inno-vation research and the multi-level perspective of transformation research. The innovation systems in Germany were characterized with respect to actors, networks, institutions and functions. The PBMA innovation system was found to be developed furthest. Innovation activities with insect proteins have recently moved away from meat alternatives and food uses to feed and industrial applications. For CM, industrial scale production facilities still have to be established and EU mar-ket authorizations have to be obtained. Interaction between the three innovation systems was modest. Activities of mutual benefit were observed in creation of legitimacy, guidance of the search, resource mobilization as well as knowledge generation and exchange. Incumbents of the German livestock and meat sector employed discursive, material and legal/institutional resistance strategies against meat alternatives. However, resistance was less pronounced than to previous innovations in the sector. The following recommendations were derived: Transition research on meat alternatives and alternative proteins, respectively, should be continued for improving the functioning of the innovation systems and designing appropriate policy mixes. Policy should de-velop a comprehensive strategy for alternative proteins to provide direction for the development of the innovation systems. An exnovation strategy for the livestock and meat sector must be an integral part. Both strands - fostering meat alternatives and exnovation in the livestock and meat sector - have to be closely aligned and coordinated to be effective and to avoid conflicting or con-tradictory incentives.enInnovation systemMulti-level perspectiveResistance strategyExnovationBioeconomyProtein transitionMeat alternativeCultivated meatGermanyreport