Sustainability Frameworks & Models (HL IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• There are a range of frameworks and models that support our understanding of sustainability

  • Sustainability models, like all models, are simplified versions of reality

  • This means they have both uses and limitations

  • The United Nations created one of these models, known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in 2015

• In 2015, the United Nations Member States committed to a shared plan for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future

  • This plan is called the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

• The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a comprehensive set of social and environmental objectives that were established as targets for the 2030 Agenda

  • These goals aim to provide a universal framework for addressing urgent global challenges whilst promoting sustainable development and environmental justice

  • The SDG model recognises that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality and generate economic growth—all while tackling climate change and working to preserve ecosystems such as our oceans and forests

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals

• The SDG model consists of 17 goals and 169 targets covering various aspects of sustainable development

• Goals range from eradicating poverty and hunger to promoting sustainable cities and combating climate change

• The SDGs provide both a target for sustainable development and a metric to measure the progress made

Explanation of the 17 SDGs (Source: UN SDGs)

2030 Goal	Explanation
	End all forms of poverty by 2030, including absolute and relative poverty
	End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
	Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
	Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
	Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
	Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
	Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
	Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all
	Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
	Reduce inequality within and among countries
	Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
	Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
	Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
	Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
	Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification; halt and reverse land degradation; and halt biodiversity loss
	Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
	Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

Uses of the SDGs

1. Common ground for policymaking:

   • The SDGs provide a shared agenda for governments, organisations (NGOs and IGOs) and communities to develop policies and initiatives

2. Global relevance:

   • The SDGs are applicable to both developed and developing countries, encouraging a universal approach to sustainability

3. Galvanising the international community:

   • The SDGs encourage collaboration and collective action among nations and stakeholders to address economic and social inequalities

Limitations of the SDGs

1. Insufficient ambition:

   • Criticisms suggests that the SDGs do not go far enough in addressing the magnitude of global challenges

2. Top-down approach:

   • Some argue that the SDGs are bureaucratic and fail to adequately involve local communities in decision-making processes

3. Ignoring local contexts:

   • The SDGs may overlook the unique socio-cultural, economic and environmental contexts of different regions

4. Data deficiency:

   • The lack of comprehensive and accurate data hinders monitoring and evaluation of progress towards achieving the SDGs

Planetary Boundaries Model

• The planetary boundaries model outlines nine critical processes and systems that have regulated the stability and resilience of the Earth system during the Holocene epoch

  • Scientists created the model to specify the ecological systems on Earth within which humanity could operate safely.

  • It identifies limits to human disturbance on these processes and systems to prevent abrupt and irreversible changes

Awaiting image: planetary boundaries model

The nine planetary boundaries

Explanation of the Nine Planetary Boundaries

Uses of the planetary boundaries model

1. Identifies science-based limits:

   • Provides clear boundaries based on scientific understanding of Earth systems

2. Highlights need for comprehensive action:

   • Shifts focus beyond climate change (which dominates current discussion) to address other critical environmental issues

3. Raises awareness:

   • Alerts the public and policymakers about the urgency of protecting Earth's systems

Limitations of the planetary boundaries model

1. Ignores societal factors:

   • Focuses only on ecological systems and does not consider the human dimension necessary to take action for environmental justice

2. Work in progress:

   • Assessments of boundaries are constantly changing as new data becomes available

3. Global focus may not suit local action:

   • Boundaries may not align with local or national priorities, making necessary actions challenging to implement at these smaller scales