Sustainability Science最新文献

Meeting the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to "well below 2 °C" requires a radical acceleration of action, as the global economy is decarbonising at least five times too slowly. Tipping points, where low-carbon transitions become self-propelling, could be key to achieving the necessary acceleration. We deem these normatively 'positive', because they can limit considerable, inequitable harms from global warming and help achieve sustainability. Some positive tipping points, such as the UK's elimination of coal power, have already been reached at national and sectoral scales. The challenge now is to credibly identify further potential positive tipping points, and the actions that can bring them forward, whilst avoiding wishful thinking about their existence, or oversimplification of their nature, drivers, and impacts. Hence, we propose a methodology for identifying potential positive tipping points, assessing their proximity, identifying the factors that can influence them, and the actions that can trigger them. Building on relevant research, this 'identifying positive tipping points' (IPTiP) methodology aims to establish a common framework that we invite fellow researchers to help refine, and practitioners to apply. To that end, we offer suggestions for further work to improve it and make it more applicable.

Inland aquaculture is becoming an important source of animal-based protein in many low- and middle-income countries of Asia. In several of these countries such as Bangladesh the inland aquaculture sector is dominated by small-scale producers that rely on unimproved production practices. However, the heterogeneity of these producers is not well understood, leading to assumptions of low variability in both the underlying characteristics of aquaculture production systems, as well as their sustainability performance. This in turn can  lead to the ineffective design and implementation of interventions and policies for the sustainable intensification of the sector. This study explores the differentiated characteristics, sustainability performance and preferences among carp producers in Bangladesh. We focus on Bangladesh as it is the 5th largest inland aquaculture producer globally, with the sector contributing significantly to livelihoods and food security. We undertake comprehensive in person surveys with 4540 carp producers across 54 regions of the country. We use 18 production variables to develop a nuanced typology of carp production systems using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Clustering Approach (HCA). We then assess whether these production systems have significantly different sustainability performance across eight socioeconomic and environmental indicators. Finally, we elicit the preferences of producers for improved carp species through three choice experiments. Overall, we identify four major types of  carp production systems, characterized by very different production characteristics, sustainability performance and preferences for improved fish species attributes. Collectively, our results provide a nuanced picture of the carp aquaculture sector in Bangladesh, which moves beyond simple binaries (e.g., commercial vs. subsistence; intensive vs. extensive; large-scale vs. small-scale). This information can inform the development and implementation of fit-for-purpose interventions for the sustainable intensification of the sector.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11625-025-01703-w.

Due to pressing sustainability challenges, our society is in urgent need for innovations and new knowledge. Higher education institutions (HEIs) as institutions of education and knowledge production are attributed a leading role in the sustainability endeavor. In recent years, the topic of the contributions of HEIs to regional sustainability transitions (RST) has received increasing attention, resulting in rising numbers of literature published. However, due to its position at the interface of different research fields, the knowledge on the role of HEIs in RST is heterogeneous and scattered. This paper provides a systematic review of the literature on HEIs' role in RST from 2007 onwards. The purpose of the paper is to identify how this role is conceptualized and empirically investigated and to understand better which challenges HEIs are facing and what kinds of drivers enable them to take over this role. The results are aligned along with role characteristics (actors, activities, drivers, challenges, and impacts), which provide in-depth insights into how this role is conceptualized. The authors deduced one role of HEIs in RST with three dimensions from the existing literature: Sustainable Regional Operations, Community Empowerment, and Regional Sustainability Policy. HEI students, faculty, leadership and management as well as a diverse range of regional actors are engaged in the enactment of this role and its three dimensions through educational, research, and outreach activities. However, these activities are rarely institutionalized and therefore depend on the engagement of individuals and the support of the HEI leadership. Based on these results, the authors propose further avenues of research which have the potential to better characterize the role of HEIs in RST including the perspective of who decides within HEIs on the role and the evolution of this role over time.

The digitalization of agriculture is bringing about far-reaching socio-technical changes. This article analyzes these changes by looking at farming habits. Transactional theory of learning is introduced as an analytical perspective for investigating farmers' consideration processes and experimentation with potential habit changes related to the use of digital technologies. The analytical perspective is applied to a case study of robotic weed control in sugar beet cultivation in northeastern Germany. The study shows how prevalent habits are crucial anchor points in farmers' careful considerations of whether to use a field robot: habitual beliefs such as an excitement for robots, as well as professional and private habits and resulting free and committed capacities are included in these considerations. Experiences with technology use and weather-related uncertainties, furthermore, led to a habitual risk assessment and anticipatory solution seeking as an overarching element in the formation of new habits. In addition to the empirical study, the article aims to make a methodological and conceptual contribution to advance much-needed research on change of (agricultural) practices and the role of technologies in it. In this regard, the use of transactional theory of learning is discussed by reflecting on the kind of knowledge that can be produced with this type of analysis and how it can benefit research on practice change and broader (agricultural) transition processes.

The bioeconomy is increasingly seen as a key national development strategy for sustainable economic growth, environmental restoration, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Numerous countries have introduced strategies to outline their bioeconomy visions, aiming to transition from fossil fuel-dependent systems to bioeconomies that address pressing environmental and socio-economic challenges. Despite this potential, the bioeconomy is not inherently sustainable nor circular, and policymakers pursue bioeconomies to different extents, facing challenges in balancing synergies and trade-offs with the SDGs. This study examined bioeconomy strategies presented in 29 policy documents from 14 European countries and the European Union. Using text analyzing techniques, we evaluate the extent to which bioeconomy strategies determine the salience of sustainability. Our analysis shows that most bioeconomy strategies emphasize opportunities aligned with SDGs 6 and 12-15, focusing on environmental objectives within the planet pillar of the 2030 Agenda. However, these strategies often neglect the principles of "equitable" and "fair & inclusive" transition and fail to consider potential unintended consequences or trade-offs for sustainability. This disconnection is further reflected by a significant divide between evidence on bioeconomy-SDG interactions and the narratives presented in policy documents. The concepts of sustainability and circularity are theoretically integrated into bioeconomy strategies but often remain lethargic, focusing on narratives rather than evidence on existing trade-offs at the expense of human needs and ecosystems. To prevent the risk of unsustainable transitions, bioeconomy strategies should evolve toward systemic approaches that emphasize resilience, equity, and ecological regeneration. Future research should explore practical mechanisms for aligning bioeconomy development with global sustainability goals.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11625-025-01752-1.

In the search for solutions to complex challenges posed by climate change and sustainability transitions, organizations often turn to innovative approaches and new cognitive frames. Particularly in the public sector, however, entrenched institutional logics often impede progress toward novel solutions. This paper explores how a public organization in the Dutch water sector navigates competing and sometimes conflicting frames and institutional logics through design-thinking. The object of study is a 6-month project initiated by a regional water authority in response to a severe flooding in 2021. The project aimed to develop and reimagine instruments for inclusive and climate-adaptive water management in collaboration with diverse actors. Based on participant observation and qualitative interviews, we analyze a series of design-thinking workshops where diverse stakeholders co-created tools for climate-adaptive water management. The findings disclose the existence of significant conflicts between the frames and institutional logics and offer details on how these were addressed through repeated stakeholder interaction and institutional work. We found that individuals showed varied responses to the emerging institutional logics, and that dominant institutional logics were diversely interpreted by different actors within the organization. Our research shows how iterative, participatory design methods can help actors temporarily shift institutional logics, but also reveals persistent challenges in achieving enduring changes to dominant institutions.

Africa, with 55 Member States and over 1 billion people, is projected to nearly double its population to 2.5 billion by 2050, presenting both opportunities and challenges for sustainable development. Agriculture employs 65% of the labour force and contributes 32% to gross domestic product. The aim of this perspective is to highlight the challenges and opportunities of achieving net-zero agriculture in Africa while proffering appropriate recommendations. The primary issues are how extreme weather events affect food security and how to cut emissions from livestock farming as well as rice cultivation and fertilizer usage alongside evaluating current policies that support climate-smart agricultural practices. Africa needs to investigate how its expanding young population along with research and innovation can advance the move towards net-zero agricultural practices. Challenges of insufficient data availability together with ineffective policy enforcement, financial barriers, and limited awareness, decreasing precipitation levels coupled with regional conflicts and population migration hinder progress in achieving net-zero agriculture on the continent. However, Africa possesses substantial opportunities through its extensive arable land combined with its youthful workforce and renewable energy capabilities. Africa needs to obtain climate funds and strengthen regional partnerships while enhancing climate information services and creating inclusive and gender-responsive policies to address these issues. Investing in innovative technologies alongside renewable energy sources and crops resistant to climate change stands as an essential strategy. The implementation of early warning systems along with the development of alternative livelihoods will enhance efforts towards sustainable management of climate-induced migration. Africa will develop a climate-resilient agricultural system by confronting existing challenges while capitalizing on emerging opportunities.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11625-025-01666-y.

Inter- and transdisciplinary (ITD) research is increasingly called for and supported to promote sustainable transformation through knowledge co-production, knowledge integration, and solution development. The paper explores what is needed to support researchers in reflecting on their new roles in ITD research. We introduce a reflection tool that makes the growing literature on researchers' roles in sustainability science applicable to ITD projects. Its design is based on the arguments that each researcher can have several roles within one research project and that focusing on a few key roles increases clarity compared to differentiating many specialized roles. The tool consists of (1) a researcher survey that operationalizes six prominent roles (traditional scientist, self-reflexive scientist, knowledge integrator, knowledge broker, process facilitator, and change agent), (2) a visualization of role profiles from the survey, and (3) a set of reflection questions on related opportunities, challenges, and coping strategies on individual and project level. We empirically applied the tool in two ITD research projects focused on sustainable food production and water and forest ecosystem management. Comparative application of the tool yielded diverse role profiles of researchers in both projects, with different patterns for senior and junior researchers as well as natural and social scientists. The reflection produced a collection of opportunities, challenges, and coping strategies that corroborates and extends insights from ITD literature. We discuss how the tool triggers multi-dimensional reflection on roles (individual and project level, role combinations, self-perception and external perception) and outline opportunities for further strengthening such reflection in ITD research.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11625-024-01619-x.

Using techniques commonly applied in participatory action research and ethnography, we examine 20 specific cases of experimentation for a selection of carbon removal and solar radiation modification interventions. These experiments include engineering-based approaches such as stratospheric aerosol injection, cloud brightening, carbon-neutral cement, biochar, direct air capture, and enhanced rock weathering alongside ecosystems-based approaches such as afforestation, seagrass restoration, and coral reef protection. Based on extensive original research of these 20 experimental projects-including 118 semi-structured research interviews and naturalistic site-based observation-we explore four questions. Firstly, what are the actor coalitions surrounding each experiment? Secondly, what promises and expectations do those actors generate? Thirdly, what innovation dynamics and styles are emergent and evident here? Finally, what perceived co-impacts are expected (by actors) to occur with widespread prospective deployment? Answering these questions in our empirical study offers insights into energy, climate, and climate intervention research, given that these experiments involve some of the most powerful and dominant actor coalitions, are supported by large amounts of climate finance investment, and will undoubtedly shape future deliberations over climate policy and technology deployment.

Recognizing and understanding the subjective wellbeing (SWB) of individuals is essential for designing effective policies that promote human development and the sustainable management of social-ecological systems (SES). This is particularly important for smallholders, critical stewards of biodiversity who face acute livelihood challenges. This article explores how smallholders inhabiting tropical dry forests in Mexico perceive their SWB and how it changes across a spectrum of SES that undergo different land transformations, management intensities, and governance dynamics. Our aims are to identify the dimensions of SWB that smallholders perceive, understand how these dimensions change across SES, and examine how smallholders' perceptions of fulfilled material and non-material dimensions vary across SES. We analyzed the content of 25 in-depth interviews with farmers and identified 48 SWB items belonging to six categories: (1) social capital, (2) economic capital, (3) agency, (4) nature, (5) pleasant non-work activities, and (6) governmental services, and two additional dimensions referred to obstacles and enablers. We found two prevailing visions of SWB: 'living well' prevails especially in areas with communal governance and medium management intensity, and 'need to earn more' prevails in areas with individual governance and intensified land management. As management is intensified and governance fosters individualism, the lower the self-perceived material and non-material satisfaction. We discuss the different SWB found per SES, as well as strategies that can foster smallholder's SWB and SES dynamics that can motivate different conservation goals and sustainable uses of nature, especially in biodiverse areas.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11625-024-01584-5.