Sustainability Discourse Research Articles

Degrowth: a path to transformative solutions for socio-ecological sustainability

Abstract Non-technical summary Engaging with economic questions is crucial for sustainability science to maintain its transformative potential. By recognizing the impact of continuous economic growth on environmental problems, the concept of degrowth proposes a practical approach to achieving sustainability. It urges experts in sustainability to think carefully about the impacts of economic growth, echoing recent scientific findings that question the need for endless growth. Therefore, this article highlights the potential of degrowth as a transformative approach that can expand capacities necessary for socio-ecological sustainability. Technical summary This article highlights the potential of degrowth as a transformative approach that can expand capacities necessary for socio-ecological sustainability. By addressing economic growth as a fundamental driver of unsustainability, degrowth offers a concrete pathway toward achieving sustainable outcomes. It calls for sustainability scientists to explicitly consider the role of economic growth, aligning with recent scientific assessments that support a critical stance on growth. Although degrowth and sustainability share common goals such as respecting biocapacity and equitable distribution of ecological budgets, degrowth approaches differ by placing emphasis on national and local solutions and exploring aspects such as technology, time, work, commodity, and property. Engaging with economic questions is crucial for sustainability science to maintain its transformative potential. Growth-critical perspectives such as degrowth and post-growth have the potential to propel sustainability discourses into new, more impactful realms of development. Social media summary Engaging with economic questions is crucial for sustainability science to maintain its transformative potential. Degrowth proposes a practical approach for achieving sustainability.

Commodifying Green living: Discourses of class and sustainability in housing estates

With the call to care for the environment becoming more urgent, the notion of what it means to be Green, in light of consumption culture, is explored. In conceptualizing Greenness as a continuous variable rather than an absolute quality, this linguistic landscape study examines the role that language plays in communicating Greenness across place-making discourses of luxury and mass/everyday housing. Despite the criticisms leveled at consumption culture for co-opting the Green movement, the study shows there are no easy assumptions to be made due to the multiple facets of Greenness as it interacts in complex ways with class-oriented discourse.

La mercantilización de la naturaleza en áreas naturales protegidas mexicanas. Caso Sierra de Huautla, Morelos

The commodification of nature (MN) is the expression of the penetration of the capitalist model in biodiversity. This essay seeks a contextualization of the Latin American MN and in the protected natural areas (ANP) in Mexico. The analysis focused on the discourse and concept of sustainability, the conservation policy and its implementation from the environmental management units (UMA) in the ANPs. It was found that this business model was successful on private properties and was counterproductive on collective properties. The problem that the ANPs experience with respect to the business model is because they are communities that live in collective properties, the economic income, the environmental impacts and the strict implementation of the laws, affect local actors to a greater extent. It is concluded that the MN can be countered with a bottom-up approach where traditional knowledge is a factor to empower the actors and defend them before other global processes, and revalue hunting as a space for coexistence, reinforcement of cultural identity and obtaining of food and not as a commercial practice, in addition to the use of the silvopastoral system and the use of non-timber forest product

Stakeholder Perceptions on Sustainability Challenges and Innovations in General Aviation

While commercial aviation has received considerable social, political, and scholarly attention, general aviation (GA) has largely operated beneath the radar of sustainability discourse. GA grapples with a spectrum of sustainability challenges, encompassing the persistent use of leaded aviation gasoline, outdated technology, evolving demographics, escalating operational costs, noise pollution, adverse environmental perceptions, and public discontent. The sustainability transition in GA, akin to other transport sectors, is an intricate, sociotechnical process necessitating the integration of stakeholder and community perspectives. Existing literature primarily concentrates on technological aspects, offering a partial view of GA stakeholder viewpoints. This paper draws on quantitative methodology and conducts several statistical analyses, foremost ANOVA, t-tests, and regressions, of data from a 2022 online survey (N = 427) involving a diverse range of GA stakeholders. This study examines sustainability consciousness and perceptions within the GA community. The findings underscore shared sustainability concerns among GA stakeholders and illustrate how sociodemographic factors such as age, gender, income, and education exert varying degrees of influence on these perceptions. Additionally, a positive relationship emerges between non-aviation-related and aviation-related sustainability consciousness. Lastly, pilots with prior experience in electric aircraft display a more favorable view of electric aviation.

M/S Innvik: A Ship with a View - Culture is who we are

The video works A Ship with a View and The Kitchen Garden were made during 2010 at the M/S Innvik, run by Nordic Black Theatre. This turned out to be the last year of the ship’s existence as an intercultural creative environment in the urban development Bjørvika. The works are created as montages with contributions of music, art and performance from people connected to the M/S Innvik. It shows glimpses of activities on board and the changing surroundings. This work pertains to the Sustainable Development Goal no 11: “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, and partly to the SDG no 7: “Clean and affordable energy”. It also suggests culture should be included in sustainability discourse. Cover image: video still by Kristin Bergaust Video work: A Ship with a View Video work: The Kitchen Garden

Okanagan Waterways Past, Present and Future: Approaching Sustainability through Immersive Museum Exhibition

This paper presents Waterways Past, Present and Future, a research project and exhibition in Okanagan Syilx territory, aimed at increasing awareness of the relationship between people and water towards catalyzing sustainable water practices. The exhibition’s multi-channel audio-visual media was designed to immerse, provoke, destabilize, transform and move visitors to take responsibility for water. Drawing on many ways of knowing and doing in the creative process, the exhibition opens different entry points to the research, thus encouraging an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural audience to engage with it. Waterways’ contribution to sustainability discourse lies in its empowerment of collaborative inquiry as a way of knowing, understanding and representing our world. The epistemological dimensions of the exhibit present multiplicities embedded in the social life of water, inviting dialogues, shaping cultural narratives and developing new forms of creativity. Through the sensual process of immersion and activation of lateral thinking, the exhibition facilitates connections across cultures, connections that act as agents for social transformation. Waterways’ experiential journey transcends our personal and dominant socio-cultural patterns, reaching beyond normative structures to new creative realms shared ethical space.

Lost in translation? Religious elements and concepts in youth climate movements

Climate change represents the most significant challenge facing the global community. The issue in question has an impact on the younger generation, whose prospects may be jeopardised. Both younger and older generations are participating in climate movements. An illustrious instance is the School Strike for Climate, which was orchestrated by the adolescent environmentalist, Greta Thunberg. The climate movements exhibit a range of objectives, actions and focus. Various social movements construct narratives that appeal to the youth demographic. The presence of a coherent narrative aids in the formation of personal identity and the establishment of a shared sense of self among individuals. Collectively, they have the potential to advocate for equitable treatment of the environment. Climate activism, although not regarded as religious, employs religious language and concepts. Research examining the climate movements’ impact on churches has revealed the presence of religious effects. Upon conducting research on the involvement of young individuals in churches and climate movements, specifically with regard to their agency, it has been observed that climate movements are fundamentally grounded in religious language and ideals. This article analyses the religious concepts found within youth climate movements and further investigates the correlation between youth climate activism and religion through the analysis of religious rhetoric.Interdisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary nature of this contribution is spread across the fields of theology and religion. The sub-disciplines of the youth in general, youth ministry and youth work, religious rhetoric, climate change, climate justice and environmental consciousness within the academic discourse of sustainability are studied.

How moral disengagement links to destination marketing organisations’ moral muteness in their sustainability communications

How moral disengagement links to destination marketing organisations’ moral muteness in their sustainability communications

Modern Architecture of the Second Half of the XX Century in Local Contexts: Comparative Analysis of Housing Estates in Izmir, Turkey and Tychy, Poland

The modernist architecture of the twentieth century, often referred to as the International Style, exhibited diverse forms and urban layouts shaped by local cultural, economic, and political factors. To comprehensively understand the architectural heritage of this era, it is essential to consider both universal and local principles. This paper explores the adaptation of modernism within a local context by analysing the urban layouts of housing estates in Izmir (Turkey) and Tychy (Poland), constructed during the latter half of the twentieth century. The aim is to enhance our understanding of the architectural heritage of this modernist period through a comparative analysis. The selection of these examples is based on their shared formal similarities, despite the vastly different contexts in which they were built. While the circumstances surrounding the two cases were starkly dissimilar, the scale of the buildings and the spatial arrangements exhibit similarities. This study employs a mixed-method approach, incorporating qualitative methods such as observation and case study alongside quantitative methods such as research and surveys. The comparative analysis presented in this paper illuminates the local idiosyncrasies of architecture while unveiling the complexity of the modernist architectural legacy and the intricate developmental processes that culminated in ostensibly similar spatial outcomes. This proposed comparative analysis aims to address existing gaps in the literature on modern housing and contribute to broader discussions within an international context. It intends to promote knowledge, raise awareness, and contribute to the sustainable discourse of modern architecture.

Critical education for sustainability and Chantal Mouffe's green democratic revolution

AbstractHow should the curriculum for older school students address the transition to sustainable futures? This article seeks to answer this question by reference to the marginalisation of education for sustainability (EfS) in England after 2010; its re‐emergence around 2020, prompted largely by students' protests over climate change: and the continuing need for critical approaches that acknowledge the contested nature of sustainability. Gramsci's theory of hegemony as developed by Gilbert and Williams, is used to explain the marginalisation of EfS while Mouffe's advocacy of a green democratic revolution, shaped by a blend of eco‐socialist, post‐developmental and decolonial thought, suggests what a critical EfS should cover and why it should be linked to radical global citizenship education. Neoliberal, socially democratic and eco‐socialist discourses of sustainability and a green transition should feature in the curriculum and agonistic pedagogy should be employed to enable students to reflect and act on these and so develop their political literacy. The Curriculum for Wales can accommodate such pedagogy and an incoming Labour government in Westminster can learn from its example.

Fallacies in Sustainability: a Systematic Review

Objective: To analyze the trends of academic productions on the fallacies enunciated in the sustainable discourse. Method: The procedures of an systematic review were used, with the help of Rayyan® software in the selection and organization of articles, then, through a qualitative analysis, the themes were separated into approaches and the fallacies mentioned were verified. Results and conclusion: Four types of fallacious approaches were identified in the context of business debate, namely: the quality of information; the identification of fallacies; fallacious behavior and impression management. This last approach being the fallacious theme most associated with corporate sustainability. Research implications: The research aims to contribute to the improvement of preparers in disclosures, emphasizing the importance of consistent disclosure. In addition to allowing the user of the information to become aware of possible fallacious methods, the accuracy of the stakeholders in the analysis can be increased and, finally, emphasize the socio-environmental responsibility of companies before society. Originality/value: Addressing this topic has become relevant given the non-standard scenario regarding corporate sustainable disclosures, in addition to the recent proposal under consideration for an international standard on these aspects.

Education for sustainable development: Societal benefits of a community garden project in Tucson, Arizona

Education for sustainable development is gaining traction in sustainability discourses and policies to bridge the gap between the theory and practice of climate change mitigation and adaptation. In the United States, university-led initiatives are being promoted to provide experiential learning platforms to empower students for climate action. One such example is community gardens. This paper examined the societal benefits derived by a group of university students from engaging in community-based learning through the University of Arizona Community Garden (UACG). Based on interviews, participant observation, and students-based activities, the findings revealed that the community garden provided psychosocial benefits such as social interaction, and connection with nature. The findings highlight the co-benefits of integrating community garden projects into community-based learning pedagogies to realize psychosocial and environmental benefits. Scaling up such interventions through collaboration with community organizations can advance the role of higher education in the achievement of the SDGs.

Sustainability conflicts in the blue economy: planning for offshore aquaculture and offshore wind energy development in Norway

Blue economy developments entail an industrialization of the world’s ocean and coastal areas, placing growing pressures on the marine environment and ecosystems. Moreover, the competition for ocean space and resources increases the likelihood for social conflicts. Marine spatial planning has been presented as a tool that can avoid or mitigate conflicts. However, there is a need for a more thorough analysis of the conflicts linked to the blue economy. The objective of this paper is to analyze characteristics of blue economy conflicts and how they are shaped by the institutional context and sustainability discourses. This study also explores perspectives on conflict management and pathways toward sustainable transformations in marine planning. Empirically, we use two case studies of blue growth industries in Norway: (1) offshore wind energy development and (2) offshore aquaculture development. Through these cases, we take a close look at the established principles and procedures which regulate conflicts. Our study shows how current blue economy conflicts are framed and handled through institutionalized practices of conflict management. Our findings are twofold. First, blue economy conflicts are not easily categorized through common conflict typologies (i.e., user-user, user-environment) but increasingly appear to be sustainability conflicts in which all actors use sustainability as a frame of reference for discussing possible and desirable futures. Second, conflicts are not necessarily a negative social process. In fact, conflicts often uncover unsustainable practices and create potential positive pathways for sustainable transformations.

A multi-period analysis of a water management arena in the Italian Alps, circa 1951–2007: The territorialisation of environmental concerns

Water exploitation is at the centre of current social and environmental sustainability discourses, one form of which is hydropower. Intense damming of rivers and natural basins occurred in nineteenth and twentieth century Europe (and elsewhere). Following Miller and Power's concept of territorialisation and Foucault's notion of visibility, this study sheds light on the water management arena, read through changes in stakeholder objectives and accountabilities. Its focus is on the ‘accounts’ of environmental concerns, from post WWII to the new millennium. The analysis focuses on the case of the Santa Giustina dam in Northern Italy, using archival and oral-history approaches. It is shown how an increasing visibility of environmental concerns translated into a higher degree of ‘territorialisation’ through their itemisation in water quality and quantity parameters. This historical evolution informs policy makers, managers and society in general, about how to address profits and environmental issues regarding current water exploitation.

The discursive legitimation of corporate ecological identity in Chinese sustainability discourse

Abstract Ecological identity involves all aspects of how individuals or collectives identify themselves with nature. This paper aims to examine the discursive construction of corporate ecological identities in corporate sustainability reports in China and evaluate how these identities are legitimated through the lens of ecolinguistic discourse analysis. Our data was drawn from a collection of English-language sustainability reports of Huawei Technologies Corporation (2016–2020). The findings suggest a mix of ecological identities across all texts, among which stewarding nature dominates and it relates to the belief that humans are obligated to steward nature for the sake of sustainability. These ecological identities are discursively legitimized in terms of defining characteristics, social roles, and community memberships. Innovativeness, leadership and ethicalness are legitimated as the corporation’s dominant characteristics which serve as moral identity standards, allowing further legitimation of the social roles and community memberships that the corporation claims. In the case of social roles, green manufacturing depends on green technologies, and both of them point to the instrumentality and rightness of technology in advancing sustainability. These construals uncover the ecological sustainability in the Chinese cultural context, that is, achieving the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. In legitimizing community memberships, hierarchical relationships between the corporation and other participants are revealed.

Putting nuclear waste on the sustainability agenda – integration into the concept of planetary boundaries

Abstract. One part of sustainability discussions is the debate about the ecological carrying capacity of the Earth, which was initiated in the year 2009 by a group of scientists led by Johan Rockström, who proposed the concept of “planetary boundaries” (Rockström et al., 2009). The concept defines limits of the ecological carrying capacity based on scientific findings and on the application of the precautionary principle. Since then environmental and sustainability policies have increasingly referred to the concept as a global framework, as done, for example, by the Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 2012) and the EU's 8th Environmental Action Program, which calls for “a systematic change to a Union economy that ensures well-being within planetary boundaries” (European Parliament and Council of the European Union, 2022, p. 24). As one of the nine boundaries, climate change requires strong decarbonization and has led to increased investments in low-carbon technologies. Hereby, nuclear power generation gains a new momentum for newly-built reactors as well as lifetime extensions due to its low-emission character required for climate change mitigation (MIT, 2018; Cometto et al., 2022). Furthermore, the EU taxonomy has set nuclear power as a “sustainable” technology classifying it as a “green” investment (JRC, 2021). Although no greenhouse gas emissions are produced during nuclear fission, it produces another form of hazardous and long-lasting waste through spent fuel accumulation. In this sense, human-made nuclear fission is also an anthropogenic impact, which increases the number of instable isotopes representing a persistent threat to humankind and ecosystems. Although the planetary boundary concept has briefly mentioned radioactive waste as being part of other toxic and human-made waste under the category “novel entities”, it has not been further elaborated since the introduction of the framework (Steffen et al., 2015; Persson et al., 2022). Instead, other forms of human-made waste such as plastics have been analyzed and quantified (Persson et al., 2022). The aim of the workshop is to discuss the role of radioactive waste management in the context of planetary boundaries from the perspective of the various disciplines of the workshop attendees. Therefore, the concept of planetary boundaries will be introduced and a global perspective on radioactive waste accumulation will be set. In small groups the workshop attendees will work on single aspects, such as reviewing the provided arguments and whether their suitability meets the criteria to establish nuclear waste as a control variable for the novel-entity boundary. The workshop can also include considerations about possible indicators and challenges for quantification as well as address the debate on whether radioactive waste may also become a resource for future generations. Finally, groups will present their results in front of the plenum and discuss the global perspective and its implications for radioactive waste management and challenges for the sustainability discourse in science and policy. To provide a balanced and interdisciplinary discourse we will invite a few speakers, who will provide input statements, and other experts in the field. It is envisaged to provide a paper with background information and data necessary to discuss radioactive waste as a planetary concept. This preliminary work serves as a basis for discussion for the workshop.

The “Smart City” between Urban Narrative and Empty Signifier: Shaggar in Focus

The objective of this study is to critically analyze the concept of the “Smart City” and its implications within the context of Shaggar. The study aims to explore the relationship between urban narratives and the empty signifiers associated with the “Smart City” concept, with a focus on understanding the underlying tensions and contradictions that arise during the implementation of smart urban initiatives. This study employs a qualitative research approach, utilizing a combination of document analysis, interviews, and observation techniques. Primary and secondary data sources, including official city plans, policy documents, media reports, and expert interviews, are used to gather information and insights. Thematic analysis is employed to identify recurring patterns and themes related to the “Smart City” concept, urban narratives, and empty signifiers in Shaggar. The findings of this study reveal that the “Smart City” concept in Shaggar is shaped by multiple urban narratives, including the discourse of technological progress, sustainability, and efficiency. However, the analysis also highlights the presence of empty signifiers, where the “Smart City” concept often lacks clear definitions, goals, and tangible outcomes. This disconnects between narratives and signifiers create tensions and challenges during the implementation of smart urban initiatives in Shaggar. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the “Smart City” concept in Shaggar is a complex amalgamation of urban narratives and empty signifiers. The presence of multiple narratives contributes to the allure and promise of the “Smart City” vision, while the lack of clear signifiers results in ambiguity and challenges during implementation. This study underscores the need for critical examination and contextual understanding when envisioning and implementing “Smart City” initiatives. Based on the findings, this study recommends that policymakers, urban planners, and stakeholders in Shaggar and similar contexts should prioritize the development of clear and context-specific definitions, goals, and metrics for “Smart City” initiatives. It is crucial to engage with local communities, incorporate their perspectives, and ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation process. Furthermore, interdisciplinary collaborations and continuous evaluation of projects are essential to address the tensions between narratives and signifiers and to promote more inclusive and sustainable smart urban development in Shaggar and beyond.

Urban Environmental Imaginaries and Aesthetic Sensibilities in Mumbai, India

Urban environmental aesthetics form a cornerstone in neoliberal development discourse in Mumbai, India. Formulated primarily on visual metrics, such as those of green lawns and modern architecture, these aesthetic sensibilities set up the horizon of what is seeable and sayable, serving to legitimize planning schemes while obscuring their social and environmental harms. This is evident in the city’s elite Hiranandani Gardens township, a project heavily contested on legal, humanistic, and environmental grounds. Beginning from “waste,” or spaces and perspectives that lack value in dominant discourses, I analyze how the production of developmentalist “value” relies on environmental aesthetics as well as the limits of such formulations. By way of three frames—empty buildings, an abandoned quarry, and remembered wilderness—I illustrate power structures that facilitate the conversion of waste into value, the contradictions and limits in dominant sustainability discourses, and the messy terrain of contestations that they face. The article contributes to critical development scholarship by emphasizing the significance of aesthetics in unveiling power relations entrained in the making of urban landscapes. I also extend creative engagements in geography by incorporating sensory engagements beyond the visual to interrupt dominant aesthetic sensibilities and open critical and creative ways of knowing urban nature.

KONTRIBUSI KOMUNITAS NU DALAM ISU KELESTARIAN LINGKUNGAN HIDUP DI INDONESIA

This article discusses the contribution of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) elite in environmental sustainability issues in Indonesia during 1980-2015. Using the historical idea method, the author analyzes a number of documents and finds that evolutionarily, NU elites have been involved and made important contributions to environmental preservation. At least, there are three main contributions. First, the development of environmental fiqh thinking that is moral-ethical in nature about the necessity of preserving the environment. Two key NU figures who represent this spirit are KH. Ali Yafie (Rais Amm 1991-1992) and KH. Sahal Mahfudz (1999-2014). Second, raising Islamic boarding school scholars to create environmental sustainability discourses in the perspective of Islamic tradition. The Bahsul Masail study forums that characterize NU are filled with environmental issues. Both kiai caretakers and Islamic boarding school students are familiar with the issue of environmental sustainability. The climax is the emergence of calls for environmental jihad (jihad al-bi'iyyah). Third, the formation of environmental institutions in the organizational structure of NU. This contribution shows that religious groups can play an important role in spreading the idea of environmental sustainability. This finding is in line with the findings of Palmer and Finlay (2003), Barclay (2007) WWF (2010) regarding the effectiveness of religious communities in transmitting environmental preservation insights.

Ecohydrological nature-based solution for climate resilience and biodiversity enhancement in water-limited ecosystem: Perspectives and proof of concepts

Following the declaration of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, nature-based solutions (NbS) are at the forefront of the sustainability discourse. However, this solution needs operational clarity to avoid the commonly mentioned vagueness of the concept. This paper highlighted application of the ecohydrological principles to guide the conception, planning, designing, implementation, and monitoring of nature-based solutions. The paper proposed an ecohydrological nature-based solution that is emanated from the natural sequence of self-regulating patch-interpatch at the hillslope scale to restore highly degraded hillslope in Lake Hawassa sub-basin of Ethiopian Rift Valley Basin. The active restoration site is found to have a landscape organization index value of 0.94 (= 94% of the gradsect is consisting of resources conserving patches) as compared to 0.16 at the passive site. In terms of landscape functionality, the active site showed significant stability (p(x≤T) = 0.01), infiltration (p(x≤T) = 0.001), and nutrient cycling (p(x≤T)=0.005). It also exhibited significant improvement in soil moisture (p(x≤T) = 0.001). Ecologically, the active site is found to be more diverse (richness index 18 (active) vs. 8 (passive); heterogeneous (Shannon diversity index=1.22 (active) vs. 0.44 (passive)); well distributed (Simpson's index= 0.62 (active) vs. 0.28 (passive)); less dominance of few species (Evenness index (0.99 (passive) vs. 0.96 (active)). Limitation of this study is linked with the short span of the restoration period which tends to be not adequate to observe the full ‘dual’ regulation between hydrology and biota. For this, the research can be considered as a prerequisite towards full restoration of the landscape.