Overcoming Barriers to Implementing Sustainable Development Goals: Human Ecology Matters

Abstract

This article criticizes the framework provided by the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, commonly used to implement sustainable development goals (SDGs). We argue that instrumental rationalism has been used to define cause–effect relations between “means” (all kinds of resources) and “ends” (the goals and targets) involved in implementing sustainable development. This linear thinking, commonly used during the last century, is applied again in the current agenda. Hence, too little attention has been attributed to human intentions, motives, preferences, and fundamental values that frame the constitution of societal institutions and structures, as well as individual and collective behaviors. These core constituents of human ecology are barriers to a new eco–social contact that endorses radical societal change for implementing sustainable development. Our research shows that innovative contributions are being achieved by local authorities and community-based initiatives in contrast to the denial and inertia of many national governments, public administrations, and private enterprises.