Sustainability for All

Sustainable development is often seen as a process within the context of globalization, encompassing the economic, social and environmental dimensions. In recent years, the rapid pace of globalization has accelerated change in all of these dimensions thus causing trends and processes in various spheres to interact with one another in unpredictable ways. Particularly complicated problems, however, make it increasingly difficult to address individual issues without facing the risk of unintended consequences. This uncertainty presents a further challenge for decision makers tasked with formulating sustainable policies that effectively address intertwined problems. Indeed, this also raises the question of a more inclusive and holistic approach to innovation policies that takes up such a complex issue. Hence, addressing sustainability challenges implies a radical systemic change in multiple dimensions, including policy, culture and civil society. This also means that there are no blueprint approaches to the governance of critical sustainability issues. As a result, policy makers should adopt a learning process rather than imposing final solutions. Thus we devote specific attention to the policy learning processes necessary to cope with complexity and uncertainty in a rapidly changing world.

In line with the UNs’Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ARCHES is devoting many research efforts to fostering sustainable development at different levels around the world. In this programme, our centre is supporting the achievement of specific targets of the 2030 Agenda, particularly Goal 2: Zero Hunger, Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, and Goal 13: Climate Action.

Support sustainability efforts at ARCHES