scholarly journals Staying within planetary boundaries as a premise for sustainability: On the responsibility to address counteracting sustainable development goals

2020 ◽  
pp. 29-44
Author(s):  
Heidi Rapp Nilsen
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
The Other ◽  
Planetary Boundaries ◽  
Ethical Guidelines ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Operating Space ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
Safe Operating

Sustainable development, as explained through the three pillars of environment, society and economy, is a well-known concept and has been used extensively in recent decades. There is finally a growing acknowledgement that environmental sustainability is the prerequisite for achieving the other two pillars of societal and economic sustainability. Nevertheless, there is a tendency to not explicate the negative interactions between the pillars of sustainability, as in the interlinkages between the UN’s sustainable development goals. In this paper, we draw attention to a method for explicating both reinforcing and counteracting goals. This is a conceptual paper but with short, illustrative examples from different levels of the R&D sphere on how this method can be used: one example is at the project level, two are from financiers of R&D projects, and the other is at the UN level. Finally, a longer discussion on relevant ethical guidelines is presented. This paper addresses the responsibility to recognize when and how sustainability goals counteract each other through two key actions. The first action is to identify transgressions of global ecological system boundaries and the resulting serious consequences for trading on environmental sustainability. The second involves bringing to the fore relevant ethical guidelines from the Norwegian National Research Ethics Committee. An update of these guidelines is suggested to reflect recent research on the transgression of planetary boundaries and the consequences for a safe operating space for humans on Earth. Keywords: Environmental sustainability, ethical guidelines for research, UN sustainable development goals, counteracting goals

scholarly journals Environmental Sustainability and Libraries: What do the Students Think?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelena Andreja Radaković ◽  
Nataša Petrović ◽  
Aleksandra Kručičan ◽  
Marko Ćirović ◽  
Andrija Tomić
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Future Generation ◽  
The Other ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
Development Goals

Nowadays, great attention is paid to the role of libraries in sustainability. Their role is especially given in promoting not only sustainable development goals (SDGs) but their achievements, too. The reason for this is in their part in necessary promotion of literacy and offering free access to information about environment, environmental protection, sustainability, and SDGs. This is easily understandable bearing in mind that libraries must have their task in providing indispensably knowledge for current and future generation about these crucial issues for survival of mankind. In addition, it is generally known that current and future generation represent the foundation of sustainable development and all of the SDGs. On the other hand, higher education is a crucial mean for creating globally competent students for a more sustainable future. Bearing this in mind, we have conducted a survey on the students’ opinion about the role of libraries in providing environmental sustainability and SDGs goals knowledge. Results of the survey were analyzed using SPSS 24 software for statistical analysis and they are presented in final parts of this paper.

scholarly journals Higher Education and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)—Potential Contribution of the Undergraduate Courses of the School of Social Sciences of the University of Évora

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1828
Author(s):  
Elisa Chaleta ◽  
Margarida Saraiva ◽  
Fátima Leal ◽  
Isabel Fialho ◽  
António Borralho
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Economic Growth ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Quality Education ◽  
The Other ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Decent Work ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The University

In this work we analyzed the mapping of Sustainable Development Goals in the curricular units of the undergraduate courses of the School of Social Sciences at the University of Évora. Of a total of 449 curricular units, only 374 had students enrolled in 2020/2021. The data presented refer to the 187 course units that had Sustainable Development Goals in addition to SDG4 (Quality Education) assigned to all the course units. Considering the set of curricular units, the results showed that the most mentioned objectives were those related to Gender Equality (SDG 5), Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8) and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16). Regarding the differences between the departments, which are also distinct scientific areas, we have observed that the Departments of Economics and Management had more objectives related to labor and economic growth, while the other departments mentioned more objectives related to inequalities, gender or other.

scholarly journals Aligning Climate Change and Sustainable Development Goals With an Innovation Systems Roadmap for Renewable Power

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca R. Hernandez ◽  
Sarah M. Jordaan ◽  
Ben Kaldunski ◽  
Naresh Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Innovation Systems ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Environmental Consequences ◽  
Research Themes ◽  
Development Goals

Energy development improves quality of life for humans, but also incurs environmental consequences. A global energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy may mitigate climate change but may also undermine the capacity to achieve some or all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this study, we use an innovation systems approach to construct a comprehensive roadmap for solar and wind energy to anticipate and improve impacts of a transition to a low carbon future in a manner ensuring climate goals and SDGs are mutually reinforcing. Our multidisciplinary approach began with an assessment of public investments in renewable energy followed by a 2-day research prioritization workshop. Fifty-eight expert workshop participants identified six research themes that proactively address the environmental sustainability of renewable energy. Next, we identified linkages between the six research themes and all 17 SDGs. Finally, we conducted a scientiometric analysis to analyze the research maturity of these themes. The results of these efforts elucidated the limits of existing knowledge of renewable energy-SDG interactions, informing the development of a research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RD3) roadmap to a renewable energy future aligned with both climate goals and SDGs. The RD3 roadmap has been designed to systematically develop solutions for diverse actors and organizations. Overall, our findings confer a broad vision for a sustainable transition to renewables to minimize unintended environmental consequences while supporting interoperability among actors particularly poised to influence its magnitude and direction.

scholarly journals UNDERSTANDING ASSAM’S SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES

2021 ◽  
pp. 90-96
Author(s):  
Pratyush Paras Sarma ◽  
Sagarmoy Phukan
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
Performance Index ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
The State ◽  
The Other ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The Government

Assam was the first state in India to have undertaken the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a long-term guiding strategy for development. At the end of five years, before the state election, evaluating the work on SDGs in Assam is essential to follow up on the commitment of the government. But before we start evaluating the SDGs it is important to understand the development road Assam has taken over the last 100-150 years and why we must make a new turn. This study has tried to understand certain loopholes which have hampered the progress of SDGs in Assam along with how much Assam has been able to address its sustainability issues and how we can progress. We have reviewed the performance of the state based upon the official performance index released by NITI Aayog, Government of India. Our review of the index reflects that Assam has performed relatively poorer than the other states of the country. However, the ethnic culture of the region was deeply rooted in nature which the state can now adopt and harness to achieve its SDGs. KEYWORDS: Sustainable Development Goals; Assam Election; Indigenous Knowledge; Citizen Science; Polycentric Governance

scholarly journals A STUDY OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION IN INDIA UNDER THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 2030

2019 ◽  
pp. 12-20
Author(s):  
Dr. Basanta Kalita
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Addis Ababa ◽  
Paris Declaration ◽  
Water And Sanitation ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Sanitation Services ◽  
Development Goals

The SDGs agenda is the outcome of a series of international conferences on the issue of environmental sustainability. A principle of common and differentiated responsibility was endorsed by the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (1992) and the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20 (2012). The political commitments from the world leaders were confirmed during the 3rd International Conference on Financing for Development held in Addis Ababa in July 2015 for a common policy on sustainable development. The goals are broad based and interdependent. Finally the Paris Declaration on Climate Change (2016) paved the way for the adoption of a comprehensive list of goals to be achieved by 2030. Each of the 17 sustainable development goals has a list of targets which are measured with indicators and are interdependent. The present study will be confined to the 6th goal which is ensuring “Clean water and Sanitation” in the Indian context. KEYWORDS: SDGs agenda, Climate Change, employment, sanitation services

scholarly journals Environmental Education in Environmental Engineering: Analysis of the Situation in Colombia and Latin America

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 7239
Author(s):  
Pedro Mauricio Acosta Castellanos ◽  
Araceli Queiruga-Dios ◽  
Ascensión Hernández Encinas ◽  
Libia Cristina Acosta
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Latin America ◽  
Environmental Education ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Environmental Engineering ◽  
University Education ◽  
Educational Models ◽  
Development Goals

Environmental education (EE) has become the only tool for environmental sustainability in training processes in Colombia, for basic cycles in primary and secondary, as well as university education. EE tends to transform human actions in nature, based on multidisciplinary knowledge that supports decision-making. Its goal is to generate a change in social behavior in order to achieve the recovery, conservation, and preservation of the environment. In Colombia, education for sustainable development (ESD) is embedded in EE. These educational models (EE and ESD) seek to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs), which generally seek the economic and social well-being of nations, both for current and future generations. Environmental engineering is a relatively new degree course in Colombia and Latin America since it appeared in the mid-nineties, and it must involve EE within its curriculum. Students are trained in this trend. This research intends to demonstrate, through a curricular review of the environmental engineering curricula and also surveying students from this degree, the level of inclusion of EE in Latin America. Strengths are identified in the curricula, such as the strong presence of EE in disciplinary subjects and opportunities for improvement based on the needs of the students. The situation in South America is also included in this study.

scholarly journals Pedagogical professions. In support of a green and human transition

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 6-20
Author(s):  
Simona Sandrini
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Young People ◽  
University Students ◽  
Human Dignity ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Planetary Boundaries ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Agenda 2030 ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Climate Crisis

An increasing number of initiatives related to Agenda 2030 are being launched. Educators, trainers and teachers are dedicated themselves to interpret the approach to sustainability in light of the climate crisis and within the planetary boundaries. Looking toward the future, the pedagogical professions in their core can help the younger generation to recompose the prospective of “global human”, avoiding the risk of flattening sustainability on purely functional devices that forget the value and relational texture of human dignity. Coordinating experiences is crucial to support a transition both green and human. This means preparing fraternal training environments in which young people experience the culture of relation and proximity, with the intent of realising the sustainable development goals. This contribution presents a laboratory of dialogue on the paradigmatic union between sustainable development and fraternity, experience by young university students.   Professioni pedagogiche. A sostegno di una transizione verde e umana Si moltiplicano le iniziative nel solco dell’Agenda 2030. Educatori, formatori, pedagogisti e insegnanti sono impegnati a interpretare l’accostamento alla sostenibilità, tra l’allarme della crisi climatica e dentro i confini planetari. Volgendosi verso orizzonti di senso, le professioni del pedagogico possono aiutare le giovani generazioni a ricomporre un intero umano, evitando il rischio di appiattire la sostenibilità su dispositivi puramente funzionali che dimenticano la valenza e la trama relazionale della dignità umana. Coordinare esperienze in questa chiave di sostegno a una transizione che sia al contempo verde e umana, può significare predisporre ambienti formativi fraterni in cui i giovani sperimentino la cultura dell’incontro e della prossimità, anche per avverare i sustainable development goals. Il contributo presenta un’esperienza di laboratorio vissuta in mezzo a giovani studenti universitari, di dialogo sul connubio paradigmatico tra sviluppo sostenibile e fraternità.

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