Revisiting the sustainability science research agenda

Bibliographic Data

ID6454530
AuthorsMesfin Sahle (0000-0002-2280-9957, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, corresponding author), Shruti Ashish Lahoti (0000-0002-9584-7380, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies), Soyoung Lee (0000-0002-3645-9281, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies), Katja Brundiers (0000-0002-7354-9964, University of Freiburg), Carena J Van Riper (0000-0002-6200-8855, Illinois Department of Natural Resources), Christian Pohl (0000-0002-7935-464X, ETH Zurich), Hsiaoping Chien (0000-0001-6130-1761, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology), Iris Bohnet (0000-0002-7027-1370, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague), Noe Aguilar-Rivera (0000-0002-7833-6749, Universidad Veracruzana), Peter Edwards (0000-0002-4527-9186, ETH Zurich), Prajal Pradhan (0000-0003-0491-5489, University of Groningen), Tobias Plieninger (0000-0003-1478-2587, University of Göttingen), Wiebren J Boonstra (0000-0002-1191-0574, Uppsala University), Alexander G Flor (0000-0001-5312-4443, University of the Philippines Open University), Annamaria Di Fabio (0000-0002-5150-1273, University of Florence), Arnim Scheidel (0000-0001-9764-685X, Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona), Christopher Gordon (0000-0003-2734-851X, University of Ghana), David J Abson (0000-0003-3755-785X, Leuphana University of Lüneburg), Erik Andersson (0000-0003-4433-1218, Stockholm Resilience Centre), Federico Demaria (0000-0003-4939-8243, Barcelona School of Economics), Jasper O Kenter (0000-0002-3612-086X, Aberystwyth University), Jeremy Brooks (0000-0002-9615-1852, The Ohio State University), Joanne Kauffman, Maike Hamann (0000-0003-2906-4043, Stellenbosch University), Martin Graziano (0000-0002-6876-7211, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), Nidhi Nagabhatla (0000-0002-5941-2048, United Nations University Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies), Nobuo Mimura (0000-0002-7082-9194, Ibaraki University), Nora Fagerholm (0000-0001-5020-0746, University of Turku), Patrick O’farrell (0000-0002-9538-8831, University of the Western Cape), Osamu Saito (0000-0002-0697-9593, Institute for Future Engineering), Kazuhiko Takeuchi (0000-0001-6855-6425, Institute for Future Engineering)
Year2024
Volume20
Issue1
Pages1-19
Publication date2024-10-24
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSustainability Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1862-4057 • E-ISSN: 1862-4065
PublisherSpringer Science+Business Media (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1007/s11625-024-01586-3
OpenAlexW4403705722
LanguageEN
Citations received28
References cited230

Identifying research gaps and priorities is paramount to advance sustainability science and contribute to a sustainable future. This editorial contributes to this effort by contemplating the sustainability science research agenda and aligning it with recent changes in global dynamics. Drawing on consultations with the editorial board members of the Sustainability Science journal and a review of relevant literature, we identified 12 key research topics. These topics are interpreted within a strategic framework encompassing three key themes: (1) goals that drive sustainability science, (2) approaches to attain these goals, and (3) tools to advance sustainability science research. In so doing, this editorial emphasizes a sustainable development agenda extending beyond 2030, fostering equity and justice, and tackling issues related to power dynamics and geopolitical conflicts. It underscores the significance of research approaches to attaining sustainability goals, in particular, theorizing, co-production of knowledge and action, attaining clarity in conceptual descriptions, and developing systems-oriented analytical frameworks. Additionally, it highlights the value of place-based approaches, learning from significant systemic shocks, and nurturing inner transformations. It also underlines the need to explore emerging technologies and data-intensive methodologies as a tool to address sustainability concerns. The systematic contemplation of the sustainability science research agenda presented in this editorial piece aims to invoke further discussion among researchers and practitioners about a fresh and relevant agenda that promotes the sustainable integration of nature and society

Biology · Engineering ethics · Environmental ethics · Environmental planning · Environmental resource management · Geography · Landscape ecology · Nature Conservation · Political science · Social sustainability · Sustainability · Sustainability science · Sustainable development · Engineering · Environmental Science · Innovation, Sustainability, Human-Machine Systems · Sustainability and Climate Change Governance · Sustainable Development and Environmental Policy · Ecology