Defining socio-environmental systems for sustainable development

Abstract

Defining of a `socio-environmental system' is a critical and inevitable step on the path towards achieving sustainable development for specific parts of the world. In this paper we discuss some important, and problematic, aspects of such a definition. We propose a definition of socio-environmental systems that is based on the hierarchical organisation of human activities, is structural as well as functional, and focuses on the constraints and conditions of development. It has at least the following four parts: (i) Identification of the socio-environmental system, by which is meant the first, tentative designation of the system; (ii) Assessment of the people involved. Ideally, all these people should be represented in the decision-making. At the very least, their interests should be kept in mind by responsible decision-makers; (iii) Delimitation of the system in space and time. The spatial extent of the system, the time-horizon of the developments, the grain of the information, and the context of the system should be clearly defined; and (iv) Descriptions of the system. This should include a description of the subsystems, the values, and constraints of the system, and the relations between the subsystems, values, and constraints. Defining the system is aimed at clarifying the debate on the development of a socio-environmental system, but it will also facilitate the collection of information and the building of computer models.