Sustainability and Societal Transformations (MAN-MESS01)
Summary of Literature 2021-2022
1. Hopwood (2005) Sustainable development: mapping different approaches.....................................2
2. Robinson (2003) Squaring the circle? Some thoughts on the idea of sustainable development........6
3. Raworth; A safe and just space for humanity: can we live within the doughnut?..............................9
4. Dobson (1996) An analysis and a typology.......................................................................................11
5. Diaz et al. (2015): The IPBES conceptual framework........................................................................15
6. Moon et al.: A guide to understanding social science.......................................................................17
7. Visseren-Hamakers (2020) The 18th Sustainable Development Goal................................................19
8. Visseren-Hamakers (2018) A framework for analysing and practicing Integrative Governance: the
case of global animal and conservation governance............................................................................20
9. Shove: The Dynamics of social practice ...........................................................................................23
10. Geels (2011) The multi-level perspective on sustainability transitions: Responses to seven
criticisms...............................................................................................................................................26
11. Schneider et al. (2010 ) Crisis or opportunity? Economic degrowth for social equity and ecological
sustainability. Introduction to this special issue...................................................................................32
12. Boin, ‘t Hart and McConnell (2009) - Crisis Exploitation: political and policy impacts on framing
contests................................................................................................................................................34
13. Zahariadis, N. (2014). Ambiguity and multiple streams..................................................................39
14. Wiering, M., Liefferink, D., & Crabbé, A. (2017). Stability and change in flood risk governance: on
path dependencies and change agents................................................................................................43
, 1.Hopwood (2005) Sustainable development:
mapping different approaches
Sustainable development is an attempt to combine growing concerns about a range of
environmental issues with socio-economic issues.
Sus dev has the potential to address fundamental challenges for humanity however it needs more
clarity of meaning, concentrating on sustainable livelihoods and well-being rather than well-having
and long term environmental sustainability which requires a basis in principles that link social and
environmental to human equity.
The concept of sustainable development is the result of the growing awareness of global links
between mounting environmental problems, socio-economic issues to do with poverty and
inequality and concerns about a healthy future for humanity.
Brundtland: sus dev is the meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their needs.
Sustainability is laden with so many definitions that it risks plunging into meaninglessness. As you can
say about concepts that are about sustainability. Examples are:
- Sustainable growth as an idea of Brundtland to allow capitalism but within the boundaries of
the environment.
- Weak sustainability vs strong sustainability. (meaning?)
Haughton (1999) summarized the ideas of sus dev in five principles based on equity:
Futurity: inter-generational equity
Social justice: intra-generational equity
Transfrontier responsibility: geographical equity
Procedural equity: people treated openly and fairly
Interspecies equity: importance of biodiversity
These are useful to link human equity to the environment and provide a basis for evaluation of
different trends of sus dev.
, important
In the map are three broad views on the nature of the changes necessary in society’s political and
economic structures and human-environment relationships to achieve sustainable development.
1. Status quo: fundamental reform is necessary but without a full rupture with the existing
arrangements
2. Reform: as the roots of the problems are the very economic and power structures of society
a radical transformation is needed
3. Transformation.
Status Quo
Recognize the need for change but see neither the environment nor society as facing insuperable
problems. Adjustments can be made without any fundamental changes to society, means of decision
making or power relations.
Development is identified with growth and economic growth is seen as part of the solution. Business
is the driver towards sustainability and to move towards sus dev more growth is needed, not less.
Increased information, changing values, improved management techniques and new technology all
operating through the same market are the best means to achieve sus dev.
Most ecological modernizers support the status quo, although some see the need for reform. They
support that ‘the key to ecological modernization is that there is money in it for business’.
Supporters of the status quo are reluctant to use laws and regulations. Instead, consumer power,
informed about sustainability issues will combine with green capitalists and ethical business to
achieve sus dev. It is assumed that the existing governmental and commercial systems can be nudges
towards improvements with the use of management techniques such as EIA (environmental impact
assessment), EMAS (eco-management and audit system), cost/benefit analysis, BATNEEC (best
available techniques to not entailing excessive cost) or BPEO (best practicable environmental option).
Any classification has its difficulties with these rules and Hardin illustrates that with the Tragedy of
the Commons.
, Most supporters of the status quo have a weak commitment to environmental sustainability with a
similar weak concern with poverty and the lack of equity in political power. The status quo argument
is that growth is the way to overcome these problems.
Reform
Accept that there are problems, are critical of current policies of most businesses and governments
and trends within society but do not consider that a collapse in ecological or social systems is likely or
that fundamental change is necessary. The root of the problem is not in the nature of present
society, but there are imbalances and a lack of knowledge and information and things can and will
change to address these challenges.
A large shift in policy and lifestyle is needed but this can be achieved within the present social and
economic structures. The key is to persuade governments and international organizations to
introduce major reforms. They focus on technology, good science and information, modifications to
the market and reform of the government. Technology can bring protection to the environment, for
example renewable energies and the development of this. New technologies will provide wider
economic and social benefits for humanity as well as protecting the environment.
Reformers recognize that government has a key role in moving towards sus dev ass business will
need pushing, controlling, taxes and subsidies changing, targeting of research and disseminating of
information. There will also be reform of the political system to increase democracy and
participation.
The limits to growth report of Meadows challenged the idea that growth was the way to improve
environmental quality and said it was damaging the environment. The World Conservation Strategy
of IUCN first mentioned the term sus dev and concentrated on environmental changes without
discussing changes in socio-economic structures.
Environmental groups such as Greenpeace and WWF are in the reform group.
Transform
See problems in the environment and/or society as rooted in fundamental features of society and
how humans interrelate and relate with the environment. A transformation of society and human
relations with the environment is necessary to avoid a crisis and possible future collapse. Reform is
not enough as many of the problems are viewed to be within the economic and power structures of
society and they need to be concerned with human well-being or environmental sustainability.
Transformation without sustainable development
As sus dev is a human-centred view of the inter-relations between environmental and socio-
economic issues, some transformationists are not concerned with sus dev. Primary concern is the
environment with the emphasis of the intrinsic value and need of nature and the environment, while
human needs come second. The more extreme ones think that humans should starve out and to give
nature the world back.
Transformation and sustainable development
Summary of Literature 2021-2022
1. Hopwood (2005) Sustainable development: mapping different approaches.....................................2
2. Robinson (2003) Squaring the circle? Some thoughts on the idea of sustainable development........6
3. Raworth; A safe and just space for humanity: can we live within the doughnut?..............................9
4. Dobson (1996) An analysis and a typology.......................................................................................11
5. Diaz et al. (2015): The IPBES conceptual framework........................................................................15
6. Moon et al.: A guide to understanding social science.......................................................................17
7. Visseren-Hamakers (2020) The 18th Sustainable Development Goal................................................19
8. Visseren-Hamakers (2018) A framework for analysing and practicing Integrative Governance: the
case of global animal and conservation governance............................................................................20
9. Shove: The Dynamics of social practice ...........................................................................................23
10. Geels (2011) The multi-level perspective on sustainability transitions: Responses to seven
criticisms...............................................................................................................................................26
11. Schneider et al. (2010 ) Crisis or opportunity? Economic degrowth for social equity and ecological
sustainability. Introduction to this special issue...................................................................................32
12. Boin, ‘t Hart and McConnell (2009) - Crisis Exploitation: political and policy impacts on framing
contests................................................................................................................................................34
13. Zahariadis, N. (2014). Ambiguity and multiple streams..................................................................39
14. Wiering, M., Liefferink, D., & Crabbé, A. (2017). Stability and change in flood risk governance: on
path dependencies and change agents................................................................................................43
, 1.Hopwood (2005) Sustainable development:
mapping different approaches
Sustainable development is an attempt to combine growing concerns about a range of
environmental issues with socio-economic issues.
Sus dev has the potential to address fundamental challenges for humanity however it needs more
clarity of meaning, concentrating on sustainable livelihoods and well-being rather than well-having
and long term environmental sustainability which requires a basis in principles that link social and
environmental to human equity.
The concept of sustainable development is the result of the growing awareness of global links
between mounting environmental problems, socio-economic issues to do with poverty and
inequality and concerns about a healthy future for humanity.
Brundtland: sus dev is the meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their needs.
Sustainability is laden with so many definitions that it risks plunging into meaninglessness. As you can
say about concepts that are about sustainability. Examples are:
- Sustainable growth as an idea of Brundtland to allow capitalism but within the boundaries of
the environment.
- Weak sustainability vs strong sustainability. (meaning?)
Haughton (1999) summarized the ideas of sus dev in five principles based on equity:
Futurity: inter-generational equity
Social justice: intra-generational equity
Transfrontier responsibility: geographical equity
Procedural equity: people treated openly and fairly
Interspecies equity: importance of biodiversity
These are useful to link human equity to the environment and provide a basis for evaluation of
different trends of sus dev.
, important
In the map are three broad views on the nature of the changes necessary in society’s political and
economic structures and human-environment relationships to achieve sustainable development.
1. Status quo: fundamental reform is necessary but without a full rupture with the existing
arrangements
2. Reform: as the roots of the problems are the very economic and power structures of society
a radical transformation is needed
3. Transformation.
Status Quo
Recognize the need for change but see neither the environment nor society as facing insuperable
problems. Adjustments can be made without any fundamental changes to society, means of decision
making or power relations.
Development is identified with growth and economic growth is seen as part of the solution. Business
is the driver towards sustainability and to move towards sus dev more growth is needed, not less.
Increased information, changing values, improved management techniques and new technology all
operating through the same market are the best means to achieve sus dev.
Most ecological modernizers support the status quo, although some see the need for reform. They
support that ‘the key to ecological modernization is that there is money in it for business’.
Supporters of the status quo are reluctant to use laws and regulations. Instead, consumer power,
informed about sustainability issues will combine with green capitalists and ethical business to
achieve sus dev. It is assumed that the existing governmental and commercial systems can be nudges
towards improvements with the use of management techniques such as EIA (environmental impact
assessment), EMAS (eco-management and audit system), cost/benefit analysis, BATNEEC (best
available techniques to not entailing excessive cost) or BPEO (best practicable environmental option).
Any classification has its difficulties with these rules and Hardin illustrates that with the Tragedy of
the Commons.
, Most supporters of the status quo have a weak commitment to environmental sustainability with a
similar weak concern with poverty and the lack of equity in political power. The status quo argument
is that growth is the way to overcome these problems.
Reform
Accept that there are problems, are critical of current policies of most businesses and governments
and trends within society but do not consider that a collapse in ecological or social systems is likely or
that fundamental change is necessary. The root of the problem is not in the nature of present
society, but there are imbalances and a lack of knowledge and information and things can and will
change to address these challenges.
A large shift in policy and lifestyle is needed but this can be achieved within the present social and
economic structures. The key is to persuade governments and international organizations to
introduce major reforms. They focus on technology, good science and information, modifications to
the market and reform of the government. Technology can bring protection to the environment, for
example renewable energies and the development of this. New technologies will provide wider
economic and social benefits for humanity as well as protecting the environment.
Reformers recognize that government has a key role in moving towards sus dev ass business will
need pushing, controlling, taxes and subsidies changing, targeting of research and disseminating of
information. There will also be reform of the political system to increase democracy and
participation.
The limits to growth report of Meadows challenged the idea that growth was the way to improve
environmental quality and said it was damaging the environment. The World Conservation Strategy
of IUCN first mentioned the term sus dev and concentrated on environmental changes without
discussing changes in socio-economic structures.
Environmental groups such as Greenpeace and WWF are in the reform group.
Transform
See problems in the environment and/or society as rooted in fundamental features of society and
how humans interrelate and relate with the environment. A transformation of society and human
relations with the environment is necessary to avoid a crisis and possible future collapse. Reform is
not enough as many of the problems are viewed to be within the economic and power structures of
society and they need to be concerned with human well-being or environmental sustainability.
Transformation without sustainable development
As sus dev is a human-centred view of the inter-relations between environmental and socio-
economic issues, some transformationists are not concerned with sus dev. Primary concern is the
environment with the emphasis of the intrinsic value and need of nature and the environment, while
human needs come second. The more extreme ones think that humans should starve out and to give
nature the world back.
Transformation and sustainable development
