Interpretation Of Sustainable Development Research Articles

The concept of sustainable development of Ukraine’s economy in the context of European integration

The purpose of the article is to comprehensively define and generalize the essence of the concept of sustainable development, the basic principles of the concept, to identify the features of the strategy of sustainable development of Ukraine’s economy in terms of European integration. Research methodology. The methodology of the system-complex approach concerning consideration of the concept of sustainable development as a single whole from three components is offered: ecology, social and economic problems. Scientific novelty lies in the substantiation that the guarantee of successful sustainable development of Ukraine is to ensure economic growth, increase social welfare and environmental security. It is stated that the concept of sustainable development appeared in the 80s of the twentieth century. in the framework of the International Commission on Environment and Development. Analyzing, systematizing and generalizing scientific definitions of many scientists, the essence of the concept of “sustainable development” is investigated and its definition is specified. It is determined that the process of state building on the basis of coordination and harmonization of social, economic and ecological components in order to meet the needs of present and future generations is a sustainable development. The main approaches to the interpretation of sustainable development are highlighted and it is indicated that the quality of life of people and the state of society are influenced by a combination of economic, social and environmental factors. It is stated that the most common in the scientific economic literature are the principles of sustainable development such as environmental protection; improving the social sphere; balance of technological and economic development. The purposes and features of formation of model of sustainable development of economy of Ukraine are covered. It is stated that the national objectives, indicators for monitoring the implementation of tasks and targets for achievement by 2030 are reflected in the National Report “Sustainable Development Goals: Ukraine”. The goals of sustainable development of Ukraine are given. Schematization of the model of balanced development of Ukraine-2030 of sustainable development of Ukraine is carried out. Tasks for the Ukrainian government in the short and long term are highlighted. Relevant conclusions have been made regarding the prospects for further sustainable development. Conclusions. According to the results of the study, it is concluded that modernity is constantly making changes to the understanding of sustainable development of Ukraine’s economy. Today, sustainable development should be understood as the process of state building on the basis of coordination and harmonization of social, economic and environmental components in order to meet the needs of present and future generations. Keywords: Ukraine’s economy, economic development, sustainable development, the concept of sustainable development, goals and principles, model of sustainable development, eurointegration.

Komparacija konvencionalnog modela razvoja i održivog razvoja

Great ideas usually start out as rather simple ideas. In social sciences, the ideas which impact the lives of the millions and which direct policies must be available to all, not only to the elite. Only in this way can they properly permeate institutions from the global to the local level and become an integral part of human lives. The model of sustainable development challenges the conventional model of development. Namely, the conventional approaches simplify development by observing it as global modernization modeled after the example of industrialized, developed countries. Sustainability does not simply require balancing, i.e. compromising between inherently conflicting forces. It is rather a positive imperative which connects social, economic, and ecological benefits. Sustainable development advocates for the ethical position that the stock of natural resources must be preserved for the future generations and that the value of all social benefits and costs, including the depletion of natural resources, must be included in accounting systems for the development performances to be properly measured. This paper covers a wide gap between the theoretical interpretation of sustainable development and the current situation in the world. The paper presents some critical views which perceive sustainable development as an illusion, but also gives arguments which claim that sustainable development has no alternative.

Interpretation of Sustainable Development Using a Set of Macroeconomic and Social Indicators for a Group of Nine Emerging Economies

This paper studies the evolution of the most important emerging economies between 2002 and 2017 by estimating their capacity to implement the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. In the existing literature there are only a few studies aiming to estimate the capacity of emerging countries to implement the sustainable development goals and demonstrate how groups are performing in the achievement of these goals. Being aware of the strengths and weaknesses of such studies, the authors identified a group of nine countries by applying as the main criterion the size of the economy, reflected by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in current prices, taking into account the level registered in 2017. From a methodological point of view, the study was conducted through three stages: data collection and processing; empirical analysis and correlation testing; and cluster analysis using Statistica software (10.0, StatSoft, Tulsa OK, USA). The results of this investigation highlighted that all of the nine examined countries have the attributes needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, based on the qualitative and quantitative analysed indicators. Furthermore, the nine countries have already developed measures and adopted national strategies to implement the 2030 Agenda, with political will being also a relevant factor in this regard. This study provides a framework for theoretical and empirical analysis that could also be used in the future, whereby both the number of countries and the timeframe taken into account could be increased in order to identify new development trends for emerging economies.

Clashing Perspectives on Sustainable Development

Abstract We live in a world characterised by speed owing mainly to technology. Everything happens at a faster pace, from the way production and consumption takes place to the way the environment is degrading. Henceforth, sustainable development appeared in response to these consequences. However, considering that we are discussing the topic of sustainable development for over three decades now, it is probably time to bring it forward in another way and try to better understand it through opposing perspectives. Therefore, the present paper explores differing views on the discussed topic, and analyses sustainable development in relation to other similar terms, trying to provide a clear meaning of the concept. More, it looks to provide a own interpretation of sustainable development, and intends to bring forward some of the most popular and disputing models surrounding it.

SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION AND A SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The primary impediment on the road to sustainable growth are, developed above actual needs, patterns of production and consumption, realized at the expense of pollution of natural environment, depletion of natural resources and deterioration of the quality of life of current and future generations. The concept of balanced and sustainable consumption is an alternative to abusive consumption. It takes into account environmental requirements as well as the rules of social responsibility. Sustainable consumption allows for continuous reproduction of the object of consumption and reaching durable, relatively equally distributed individual and social wealth in a long period of time. Durable consumption, being an interpretation of sustainable development in the sphere of consumption, assumes increase of buyers’ awareness, as they make responsible decisions and limit their material needs. The article describes the essence of sustainable development and sustainable consumption and presents consumer trends and movements related to it.

Academics in the field of Education for Sustainable Development: Their conceptions of sustainable development

Recent policy and academic voices in the field of Education for Sustainable Development put forward the importance of a holistic approach to the concept of Sustainable Development. We investigated the personal understanding of ‘Sustainable Development’ of scholars involved in teacher training programs and in the academic field of Education for Sustainable Development. To this purpose, an on-line survey was conducted based on the principle of comparative judgement. After careful selection, 249 academics were found to fit the specific profile for inclusion into the study. All of them were invited and56 of them participated. The instrument consisted of 16 statements built specifically to reflect different interpretations of sustainable development: fragmented, separated, holistic and integrated perspectives. Each participant compared 12 pairs of statements and were asked to decide which one better represented their interpretation of the concept of Sustainable Development in the context of Education for Sustainable Development. Using the D-PAC methodology for comparative judgement, our results show that the statements that were most often chosen prioritized an understanding of Sustainable Development according to which two or three of the dimensions of the concept (environment, society, economy) are seen as separated to each other and less often in an integrated way. The scale reliability was equal to 0.79, indicating good quality of the measurement. The results show that academics in the field of Education for Sustainable Development do not conceive of the concept of Sustainable Development holistically. There is also a tendency towards social and economic aspects of Sustainable Development. Implications for Education for Sustainable Development research and teacher training are discussed.

Education for Sustainable Development and Multidimensional Implementation. A Study of Implementations of Sustainable Development in Education with the Curriculum of Upper Secondary School in Sweden as an Example

Abstract This article discusses different interpretations of sustainable development in education and if different interpretations of the concept are implemented in Curriculum, with the Swedish Curriculum of Upper Secondary School as an example. According to Agenda 21 sustainable development should be implemented in a multidimensional way. In 2011, a new school reform of upper secondary school was implemented in Sweden which further strengthened the position of sustainable development in school by inserting the term into more syllabuses. However, the multiple instances of the concept do not necessarily mean that a multidimensional interpretation of the concept is implemented in accordance with the objectives of Agenda 21. By using Laclau and Mouffe’s (2008) idea of discursive struggle as a theoretical framework it is possible to discern how descriptions of sustainable development essentially give rise to one discursive formation in the curriculum. The articulations of sustainable development in the curriculum rests on an idea of the ecosystem that seem to enforce the natural scientific rationality instead of letting different rationalities contribute to the meaning. The descriptions of sustainable development in the curriculum can be interpreted as a hegemonic expropriation of elements of other discourses, such as the social and economic, into the environmental (ecological) dimension. These results are consistent with other international studies, and emphasises the importance of taking a critical stance to the writings of Curriculum when putting them into practice.

Improvement of Sustainability Definition Facilitating Sustainable Development of Public Transport System

In the frame of current article it is researched the definition of sustainability facilitating sustainable development of public transport system. This research will give a new look to definition of sustainability, will be the source of new scientific ideas and ways of thinking about the public transport system and its sustainable development. Analysis of definitions and interpretations of sustainable development and sustainability and summarizing of principles of sustainability and sustainable transport system, as well as definition of indicators of environmental sustainability in transport system and assessment of environmental impact indicators for transport in smart city era, which can help to formulate improvements of sustainability definition facilitating sustainable development of transport system, will give a huge positive impact to development of transport area using sustainability principles. Solutions for sustainability are also offered in the article. It is the first article in the new cycle with research and discussions about sustainability and improvement of its definition, about transport system sustainability and related topics.

ECO-INNOVATION AS A FACTOR OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUSTAINABILITY (ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE VLADIMIR REGION)

The article offers the author's interpretation of sustainable development of regional systems. On the example of the Vladimir region, the prospects for the development of eco-innovation as a factor in improving the sustainability of socio-economic development of the region. The conclusion about the positive impact of the use of energy efficient technologies on the level of economic development, investment attractiveness and competitiveness of the region.

The development of world oceans & coasts and concepts of sustainability

The current phase of technological development and expansion in the world economy is leading to greater human activity and development offshore. Some have described this as the colonisation of the oceans, one phase in the wider history of world industrialisation. This study empirically tests notions of ‘industrialisation’ and ‘colonisation’ in the oceans for the first time. It finds that human activity in the oceans has increased by multiple factors in the most recent long term wave of economic development. The methods include the combined use of Raster and R! to overcome methodological challenges to analyse large spatial datasets which map the footprint of human activity. In response to increasing human activity in the oceans, nations and supranational institutions are developing new governance regimes. These regimes are characterised by policy integration and a commitment to sustainability. Sustainable development is a central tenet of most national and international policies for the world's oceans. An analysis of sustainable development terminology within coastal and ocean policy is provided for seven major maritime governance regimes: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, EU, South Africa, UK and the US. The results show that sustainability is highly differentiated in the context of ‘the blue planet’ (oceans and coasts). The diverse interpretations of sustainability present an impasse to measuring progress in the field. Therefore the paper concludes by offering a framework for explanation and interpretation of sustainable development, by linking it to foundational assumptions held by systems of thought or philosophical traditions.

Knowledge for sustainable development: a worldviews perspective

A huge tension exists between recognizing sustainable development (SD) as a meta-discourse and accepting a limitless interpretational width. We analyse the impacts of diversity of worldviews on the interpretation of SD—as a knowledge-based concept—through a critical literature review, resulting in recommendations on the topic. We apply a social-constructionist approach, appreciating the complex socio-ecological interactions at the heart of SD. Only recently worldviews are recognized as constitutive elements of SD. Little attention has been given to the impacts on generated knowledge for SD. Variety of worldviews induces a variety of knowledge claims and needs. To retain SD’s ‘universal’ appeal as practical decision-guiding strategy for policy and action, we propose an integrative approach towards knowledge for SD—entailing an explicit pluralization of knowledge. SD should be re-interpreted as a joint worldviews construct, embracing a diversity of views in collaborative research and co-production of knowledge. Interpreting SD as a joint endeavour is necessary to overcome historical obstacles like cultural hegemony and a hierarchy of knowledge systems. We identified the following requirements for an inclusive knowledge for SD paradigm: re-interpretation of SD as a worldview constructs in progress; interpretative flexibility; co-production of knowledge; subjectivity awareness and self-reflexivity; respect for a diversity of worldviews/knowledges; identifying shared goals; collaborative research; a systems approach; transdisciplinarity; and recognition of contextuality. Further research—concerning potential methodologies and typologies—to reconcile variety of worldviews and knowledge systems in a joint SD worldviews construct is urgently needed.

Economic interpretation of sustainable development of the flax complex

This paper reviews the definition of the notions “stability†and “stable development†, and analyzes the factors influencing the development stability. We suggest the definition of the flax complex stable development and its assessment. We also examine the factors causing the flax complex functioning instability. An integral index was proposed to determine the stability of flax complex; this index takes into account the rate of growth (or decline) of major products manufacturing, commodities, profits from product sales, accounts receivable and accounts payable, investments into fixed capital, labor productivity, coefficient of manufacturing capacity utilization and updating of the basic funds. The paper deals with the problems of its development and modern state of flax sub-complex of agroindustrial complex, as well as with the matters of disproportions between the complex’s branches. It covers the causes of tolling schemes of flax processing businesses work and the role of the state in native market of flax products formation. The necessity of industry diversification and innovation development is substantiated.

Impact assessment for a sustainable energy future—Reflections and practical experiences

As energy issues are at the top of the policy agenda worldwide, policy-makers increasingly need better decision-supporting processes to assist them in fostering a sustainable energy future. This paper reflects on the interpretation of sustainable development, and links these reflections with the theory and practice of impact assessment applied on energy issues. An analysis of existing impact assessment approaches with regard to their contribution to sustainable development leads to a set of principles for ‘sustainability assessment’. Through a study of a participatory impact assessment supporting the development of a radioactive waste management plan in Belgium, the interpretational limits of sustainable development in a nuclear energy context are discussed. This paper sheds light on the complex context in which impact assessment exercises must contribute to sustainable energy development, with a focus on the nuclear energy—(un)sustainability nexus.

Sustainability in Practice: The Interpretation of Sustainable Development in a Regional Planning Arena for Dialogue and Learning in Western Sweden

This paper analyses the ways in which top administrators and planners have framed sustainable development in western Sweden and explores the impact of this framing on formal planning processes and decision making at a regional level. Three main conceptualizations of sustainable development are identified, which are here termed the “pro-market”, the “win–win” and the “interdependent” framings. While the “interdependent” framing was most influential in the region studied, the multi-level, multi-sector nature of the network ensured that it was not unchallenged. Instead, an open arena for learning and dialogue about long-term and holistic approaches to planning was established. This allowed a core definition of sustainable development that integrated environmental limits with basic human needs (long term and global) to have a real and practical impact on decision making.

When evidence-based synergies remain ignored

The peremptory sacking in November of last year of David Nutt, the Government’s Senior Drugs Advisor and Chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, certainly sharpened the debate about the role of scientific advice in shaping policy. As a former advisor to government on sustainable development (as Chair of the Sustainable Development Commission), I couldn’t help but reflect on my own experiences in monitoring the fortunes of ‘evidence-based policy making’, including the unedifying site of Ministers occasionally but ruthlessly ignoring evidence when it was unwelcome to them from a policy perspective. Drugs policy is of course a hotly contested area. David Nutt’s principal issue was over the classification of cannabis, relative to other drugs—including tobacco and alcohol. But it all goes much deeper than this. Since the introduction of the Misuse of Drugs Act back in 1971, one government after another (as in the United States) has ignored the reality that any ‘war on drugs’ is completely unwinnable and that it makes no sense at all to go on criminalizing problem drug users rather than treating them for their addiction. Criminalizing recreational drug users makes even less sense. Drug dealers are of course a different story, but if we had a different drugs regime (based on treatment and legalized, controlled use), there would be far fewer dealers than there are today. Crime levels would be dramatically reduced, communities far better protected and health costs from drug dependency and abuse made far more manageable. So many benefits, from a policy maker’s point of view, with very strong evidence to back it up. But ‘politically unsellable’ it would seem, after decades of politicians heroically ignoring the evidence to go on grandstanding their unwinnable war. I suspect that most readers may be struggling to link drugs policy to sustainable development. But for those of us who continue to resist the interpretation of sustainable development as ‘the environment with a few socio-economic knobs on’, drugs policy is as much part of sustainable policy making as air pollution or waste management. That, of course, is the essence of the Government’s 2005 Sustainable Development Strategy, ‘Securing the Future’, which could not be clearer about the ‘twin’ overarching objectives (‘Living Within Environmental Limits’ and ‘Ensuring a Strong, Healthy and Just Society’), as well as about the critical importance of ensuring a sound evidence-based foundation for policy making (Fig. 1). It is the synergies between these five principles, rather than any one of the five on its own, that best characterize successful policy making within the broad framework of sustainable development. Healthier lives and sustainable environments are inextricably intertwined; the language of sustainable HEALTH EDUCATION RESEARCH Pages 4

Sustainable rural communities? A legal perspective on the community right to buy

Sustainable development is the underlying policy behind the community right to buy land in rural Scotland enshrined in the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, Part 2. The Act explicitly requires communities wishing to exercise the right to buy to have sustainable development at the heart of their community body and all their plans for the land. This paper examines the role and interpretation of sustainable development in the CRB. Since the Act was passed three administrations have headed up the Scottish government and sustainable development issues and strategies for Scotland have been aired in four important and distinctive policy documents showing that it is still very much an evolving concept in Scottish politics. The current administration has adopted the most econocentric approach yet seen in the UK, focusing on sustainable economic growth. Meanwhile, the community right to buy has developed its own sustainable development agenda. This review of decisions taken under the legislation illustrates that a diverse range of community ownership plans have been deemed consistent with sustainable development, from creation of sports facilities to preservation of castles, lighthouses and village greens. A range of economic, social and environmental objectives have been approved. On the other hand, communities that fail to adopt the ‘right’ approach to the principle will not be successful in using the legislation.

Making actors, paradigms and ideologies visible in governance for sustainability

AbstractResearch and teaching activities in economics and business management are specific not only in scientific terms but also in ideological terms. This political aspect has to be discussed openly. As an example, our interpretations of sustainable development (SD) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) are closely related to our ideological orientations.In considering more radical changes towards SD, the three levels of theory of science, paradigms in economics and ideological orientation have to be involved. Positivism, neoclassical economics and neo‐liberalism support the present institutional framework and globalization trend. Alternative perspectives at all three levels may open the door for a different set of institutions.While all these perspectives are essential, paradigms in economics appear to play a central role. Alternatives to economic man, profit‐maximizing firms and markets understood in terms of supply and demand are proposed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Crime prevention through environmental design in Western Australia: planning for sustainable urban futures

Purpose: Cities as places of human habitation have multiple and interwoven impacts on the environment and upon their inhabitants. There are many defi nitions and interpretations of sustainable development and various models exist for the sustainable city, ranging from ‘light green’ to ‘dark green’. This paper discusses the ‘redesigning the city’ model and investigates the extent to which crime and fear of crime are integrated within this framework and argues that crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) represents a useful planning tool to assist in the development of urban sustainability. Results: A review of the literature clearly indicates that crime and fear of crime need to be considered within sustainability frameworks and that these issues can seriously undermine the broader aims of urban sustainability. If sustainability is to adequately represent the new large-scale vision to guide the planning agenda for the 21st century, it must incorporate a primary consideration for all potential threats to the long-term sustainable health and personal safety of both the built environment and its occupants. Conclusions: The paper concludes that such issues as crime and the fear of crime are not effectively represented within most sustainability agendas, and require explicit inclusion. Analysts tend to focus on levels of recorded crime, largely ignoring the crucial and arguably more important dimension of citizens’ fear of crime and their perceptions of the built environment. This paper provides recommendations for integrating crime and fear of crime within urban sustainability. It also proposes that ‘designing out crime’, also known as CPTED, represents a vital tool for assisting in the creation, development and promotion of more user-friendly and sustainable urban environments.

10th Anniversary Focus: From mainstream ‘environmental economics’ to ‘sustainability economics’. On the need for new thinking

Traditional ideas of science as being separate and separable from ideology and politics have to be reconsidered. Each interpretation of sustainable development is not only scientific but at the same time ideological. For this reason our ideas about good science should also be related to normal imperatives of democracy. Mainstream neoclassical economics is specific in scientific and ideological terms. This paradigm is useful for some purposes and has played a role as a mental map in guiding us towards economic growth and other ideas about progress in society and the economy. Sustainable development, however, represents an ideological turn in our ideas about progress and it is no longer clear that neoclassical theory will be enough. Alternative perspectives in economics are being developed as part of a pluralistic strategy and the monopoly position of neoclassical economists at university departments of economics is thereby challenged. A 'political economic person' is suggested as alternative (complement) to Economic Man assumptions and a 'political economic organization' to be compared with the neoclassical profit maximizing firm. Alternative ways of understanding markets and international trade, efficiency, decision-making, monitoring and assessment are also needed. It is argued that such an alternative mental map is useful for actors who take the challenge of sustainable development seriously.

Political mobilisation of northern indigenous peoples in Russia

The analysis of international and national cooperation interprets relations between states, international organisations and indigenous peoples as currently being constructed in terms of political practices. Through practical work in their organisations (IPOs), indigenous peoples are building up a joint agenda to further their social and economic interests. This process is accompanied by a transformation of the agenda of sovereign states and subordinate government bodies as well as by the establishment of partnerships with indigenous peoples through their legally recognised organisations that have become new political actors. New methods are emerging in which these practices can evolve in the most efficient way: the recognition of IPOs as equal partners in the decision-making process; the allocation of resources to facilitate their participation; the incorporation of traditional knowledge; the accommodation of indigenous priorities; joint initiatives; and other collective actions. The intergovernmental forum of the Arctic Council may serve as a positive model in which both governments and indigenous peoples collaborate. IPOs fully participate in the regional decision-making process, and through building up a new collective identity, reach out to high-level international organisations and events such as the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. In Russia, at the national level, the process has been less successful than elsewhere. This formation of collective identity is connected to two processes: one is a search for new opportunities of interaction with the state in the legal and governmental sphere: the other comprises regional cooperation and local interpretation of sustainable development. This is an INDIPO project paper (Tennberg 2006).