3a. Introduction to sustainability transitions

In recent years the magnitude of the change required for a more sustainable and just world has become more and more clear. The climate crisis and other crises keep worsening despite improvements in many sectors in different countries. To highlight the magnitude, speed and depth of change necessary, we can talk about sustainability transitions. This term and the research and action around it, focuses especially on how to make the necessary societal changes for sustainability happen in a just way. Sometimes the terms "green transition" or "(just) energy transition" are used especially when referring to the energy sector.

Transforming our societies to low-carbon, circular economies with a smaller impact on biodiversity in a just way, without leaving the poor and the underpriviledged behind, is the goal of the future that everyone needs to work on.

These sustainability transformations look different in different sectors of the society, and they are different in different countries - there is no one recipe that fits all situations. This transformation work for sustainability needs to happen in all levels, from the international levels to the household level. Therefore it is necessary to take a look at the big picture as well as develop individual capabilities to see moments and potential for change in our everyday lives. Everyone can participate in making these transformations happen.

READ this report summary by Ghosh et al called "Stockholm+50: Unlocking a Better Future". Scroll down the page to read the text and the graphs. The report analyses the barriers to change and underlines the ways to unlock progress by improving coherence, accountability, solidarity and a renewed multilateralism. NOTE that It is not necessary to download the whole report (available on this web page), but read the whole page until the end.

WATCH this 18min video by the International Science Council on exploring some of the difficult questions around transformations to sustainability and proposing approaches to tackling the defining challenge of our times.

The, complete the next discussion exercise.