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    Transformations to Sustainability: Combining Structural, Systemic and Enabling Approaches

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    Date
    2020-01-22
    Author
    Scoones, Ian
    Stirling, Andrew
    Abrol, Dinesh
    Atela, Joanes
    Charli-Joseph, Lakshmi
    Eakin, Hallie
    Ely, Adrian
    Olsson, Per
    Pereira, Laura
    Priya, Ritu
    van Zwanenberg, Patrick
    Yang, Lichao
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    Impact
    Abstract
    The imperatives of environmental sustainability, poverty alleviation and social justice (partially codified in the Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs) call for ambitious societal transformations. As such, few aspects of actionable knowledge for sustainability are more crucial than those concerning the processes of transformation. This article offers a brief overview of different conceptualisations of transformation, and outlines a set of practical principles for effective research and action towards sustainability. We review three approaches to transformations, labelled: ‘structural’, ‘systemic’ and ‘enabling’. We show how different ways of understanding what we mean by transformations can affect what actions follow. But these approaches are not mutually exclusive. We use an international set of examples on low carbon economy transformations, seed systems, wetland conservation and peri-urban development to show how they can be complementary and reinforcing. We describe three cross-cutting practical considerations that must be taken seriously for effective transformations to sustainability: diverse knowledges, plural pathways and the essentially political nature of transformation. Realizing the ambitions of the SDGs, we conclude, requires being clear about what we mean by transformation, and recognizing these basic methodological principles for action.
    URI
    https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/handle/20.500.12413/15097
    Citation
    Scoones, I.; Stirling, A.; Abrol, D.; Atela, J.; Charli-Joseph, L.; Eakin, H.; Ely, A.; Olsson, P.; Pereira, L.; Priya, R.; van Zwanenberg, P. and Yang, L. (2020) 'Transformations to sustainability: combining structural, systemic and enabling approaches', Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, doi:10.1016/j.cosust.2019.12.004
    DOI
    10.1016/j.cosust.2019.12.004
    Is part of series
    Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability;
    More details
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1877343519300909
    Rights holder
    © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
    Rights details
    https://www.ids.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/IDSOpenDocsExternalDocuments.pdf
    Collections
    • Journal Articles - External [375]
    • IDS Research [1594]

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