Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Sustainable Development Research at Universities in the United Kingdom pp 159–172Cite as

Governing Sustainability: Some Challenges Ahead

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

  • 663 Accesses

Part of the book series: World Sustainability Series ((WSUSE))

Abstract

The governance of sustainable development is a politically important issue but whose conceptualisation and implementation are testing the resilience of existing governance systems. The perceived failure to deliver effective change, moreover, is heightening pressures on governments and key stakeholders pushing for the greater prominence of sustainable development and sustainable governance on the policy agenda. Yet, opportunities to advance the notion of sustainability exist: reframing of the analysis of the issues related to sustainability; formulation of more effective sustainable development goals; and identification of novel ways to engage a greater number of actors in the sustainable development debate. Recent initiatives involving governments and private actors (i.e. business firms and civil society groups) constitute interesting developments in the study of the governance of sustainability at both at the national and transnational level. These initiatives are characterised by different forms—some being strictly private while others being collaborative efforts with the public sector (public-private partnership agreements, standard setting by multi-stakeholder initiatives). The chapter concludes with the idea that the crisis of sustainable development is primarily one of governance. Fundamental changes, in the actions of governments and in the life-choices of private citizens, will be required for a successful transition to a more sustainable world.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adger, W. N., & Jordan, A. (2009). Sustainability: Exploring the processes and outcomes of governance. In W. N. Adger & A. Jordan (Eds.), Governing sustainability. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayre, G., & Callway, R. (Eds.) (2005). Governance for sustainable development. London: Earthscan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biermann, F. (2007). Earth system governance as a cross cutting theme of global change research. Global Environmental Change, 17, 326–337.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brand, R., & Karvonen, A. (2007). The ecosystem of expertise: Complementary knowledges for sustainable development. Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy, 3, 21–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • DAC-OECD. (1993). DAC orientations on participatory development and good governance. Paris: OECD. http://www.agora-parl.org/node/1264. Last accessed January 10, 2016.

  • DEFRA. (2005). Securing the future: The UK government sustainable development strategy. DEFRA (pp. 1–186). https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/69412/pb10589-securing-the-future-050307.pdf. Last accessed December 27, 2015.

  • Dingwerth, K., & Pattberg, P. (2006). Global governance as a perspective on world politics. Global Governance, 12, 185–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • ECFESD. (2000). Sustainable governance. Brussels: European Consultative Forum on the Environment and Sustainable Development, European Commission.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farrell, K. N., Kemp, R., Hinterberger, F., Rammel, C., & Ziegler, R. (2005). From ‘for’ to governance for sustainable development in Europe. International Journal of Sustainable Development, 8, 127–150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flinders, M. (2002). Governance in Whitehall. Public Administration, 80, 51–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibson, R. B. (2001). Specification of sustainability-based environmental assessment decision criteria and implications for determining ‘significance’ in environmental assessment. Report, 46. Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Research and Development Programme.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grunwald, A. (2007). Working towards sustainable development in the face of uncertainty and incomplete knowledge. Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, 9(3–4), 245–262.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guillén, M. F., & Ontiveros, E. (2012). Global turning points: Understanding the challenges for business in the 21st century. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Hawken, P., Lovins, A., & Lovins, A. (1999). Natural capitalism: Creating the next industrial revolution. Brown and Company, New York: Little.

    Google Scholar 

  • Higginson, N., & Vredenburg, H. (2010). Collaborating for sustainability: Strategic knowledge networks, natural resource management and regional development. International Journal of Sustainable Economy, 2(3), 334–351.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holden, R., & Linnerud, K. (2007). The sustainable development area: Satisfying basic needs and safeguarding ecological sustainability. Sustainable Development, 15, 174–187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hueting, R., & Reijnders, L. (2004). Broad sustainability contra sustainability: The proper construction of sustainability indicators. Ecological Economics, 50, 249–260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs, M. (1999). Sustainable development as a contested concept. In A. Dobson (Ed.), Fairness and futurity. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jessop, B. (2000). Governance failure. In G. Stoker (Ed.), The new politics of british local governance (pp. 11–32). Basingstoke: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jordan, A. J. (2008). The governance of sustainable development: Taking stock and looking forwards. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 26, 17–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jordan, A. J., & Schout, A. (2006). The coordination of the European Union. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Kemp, R., & Martens, P. (2007). Sustainable development: How to manage something that is subjective and can never be achieved? Sustainability: SciencePractice and Policy, 3, 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kemp, R., Parto, S., & Gibson, R. (2005). Governance for sustainable development: Moving from theory to practice. International Journal of Sustainable Development, 8, 12–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kooiman, J. (1993). Modern governance. London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kooiman, J. (2000). Societal governance: Levels, modes and orders of social-political interaction. In J. Pierre (Ed.), Debating governance: Authority, steering and democracy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kooiman, J. (2003). Governing and governance. London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lafferty, W. (1996). The politics of sustainable development: Global norms for national implementation. Environmental Politics, 5, 185–208.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lafferty, W. (Ed.) (2004). Governance for sustainable development. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lafferty, W., & Meadowcroft, J. (Eds.) (2000) Implementing sustainable development: Strategies and initiatives in high consumption societies. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lemos, M. C., & Agraval, A. (2006). Environmental governance. Annual Review of Environmental Resources, 31, 297–325.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levy, D., & Newell, P. (Eds.) (2004) The business of global environmental governance. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lischinsky, A., & Sjölander, A. E. (2014). Talking green in the public sphere press releases, corporate voices and the environment. Nordicom Review, 3, 125–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martens, P. (2006). Sustainability: science or fiction? Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy, 2, 1–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matthew, R. (2012). Demography, climate change, and conflict. In J. A. Goldstone, E. P. Kaufmann, & M. D. Toft (Eds.), Political demography: How population changes are reshaping international security and national politics (pp. 133–146). Boulder, CO: Paradigm Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCool, S. F., & Stankey, G. H. (2004). Indicators of sustainability: Challenges and opportunities at the interface of science and policy. Environmental Management, 33, 294–305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meadowcroft, J. (2007). Who is in charge here? Governance for sustainable development in a complex world. Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, 9(3–4), 299–314.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA). (2005). Ecosystems and human well-being: Synthesis. Washington DC: Island Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newig, J., Voss, J. P., & Monstadt, J. (Eds.). (2008). Governance for sustainable development: Steering in contexts of ambivalence, uncertainty and Power. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • OECD. (2002a). Governance for sustainable development: Five OECD case studies. Paris: OECD.

    Google Scholar 

  • OECD. (2002b). Improving policy coherence and integration for sustainable development: A checklist. Paris: OECD.

    Google Scholar 

  • OECD. (2010). United Kingdom: Policies for a sustainable recovery. Paris: OECD.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Ostrom, E. (2005). Understanding institutional diversity. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pierre, J., & Peters, G. (2000). Governance politics and the state. Basingstoke: Macmillian.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pisano, U. (2014). Transition management as a governance tool for sustainable Development, European sustainable development network (ESDN) case study Nº 17. Vienna: ESDN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Plumptre, T., & Graham, J. (1999). Governance and good governance: International and aboriginal perspectives. Ottawa: Institute on Governance.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rhodes, R. (1996). The new governance: Governing without government. Political Studies, 44, 652–666.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rhodes, R. (1997). Understanding governance. Milton Keynes, UK: Open University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rinzin, C., Vermeulen, W., & Glasbergen, P. (2007). Public perceptions of Bhutan’s approach to sustainable development in practice. Sustainable Development, 15, 52–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Speth, J., & Haas, P. (2006). Global environmental governance. Washington, DC: Island Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stiftung, B. (2015). Policy performance and governance capacities in the OECD and EU: Sustainable governance indicators 2015. Gütersloh: BertelsmannStiftung Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Toner, G. (2006). Sustainable production: Building Canadian capacity. Vancouver: UBC Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Torgerson, D. (1999). The promise of green politics. Durham, NC: Duke University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Treib, O., Bähr, H., & Falkner, G. (2007). Modes of governance: Towards a conceptual clarification. Journal of European Public Policy, 14, 1–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • UNDESA. (2001). Guidance in Preparing a national sustainable development strategy: Managing sustainable development in the new millennium. Report DESA/DSD/PC2/BP13.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNDP. (1997). Governance and sustainable human development, United Nations development programme. New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNDP. (2014). Governance for sustainable development: Integrating governance in the post-2015 development framework, United nations development programme, discussion paper. New York: United Nations Development Programme.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNEP. (2007). Interlinkages: governance for sustainability’ in global environmental outlook: GEO-4 environment for development, United Nations environmental programme. Malta: Malta by Progress Press Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNEP. (2012). 21 Issues for the 21st century. Results of the UNEP foresight process on emerging environmental issues. Nairobi, Kenya: United Nations Environmental Programme.

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations. (2002). Report of the world summit, on sustainable development. A/CONF. 199/20 and A/CONF.199/20/corr.1. New York: United Nations. http://www.un-documents.net/aconf199-20.pdf. Last accessed January 29, 2016.

  • United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development A/RES/70/1. New York: United Nations. http://www.unric.org/html/english/library/backgrounders/sdgs_eng.pdf. Last accessed January 15, 2016.

  • Van Kersbergen, K., & van Waarden, F. (2004). Governance as a bridge between disciplines. European Journal of Political Research, 43, 143–171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Zeijl-Rozema, A., Cövers, R., Kemp, R., & Martens, P. (2008). Governance for sustainable development: A framework. Sustainable Development, 16, 410–421.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Voss, J-P., Bauknecht, D., & Kemp, R. (2006a). Preface. In J. P. Voss, D. Bauknecht, & R. Kemp (Eds.), Reflexive governance for sustainable development (pp. xiv–xvii). Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar.

    Google Scholar 

  • Voss J-P., Bauknecht, D., & Kemp, R. (Eds.) (2006b). Reflexive governance for sustainable development. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar.

    Google Scholar 

  • Voss, J. P., Newig, J., Kastens, J., Monstadt, J., & Nölting, B. (2007). Steering for sustainable development: A typology of problems and strategies with respect to ambivalence, uncertainty and distributed power. Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, 9(3–4), 193–212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waughray, D. (Ed.) (2011) Water security: The water-food-energy-climatenexus. Washington, DC: Island Press/World Economic Forum.

    Google Scholar 

  • WCED. (1987). Our common future. Oxford: World Commission on Environment and Development, Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, C. C., & Millington, A. C. (2004). The diverse and contested meaning of sustainable development. The Geographical Journal, 170, 99–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Bank. (1991). Managing development: The governance dimension. Washington: World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department Business and Management, Liverpool Business School, Redmonds Building, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L3 5UG, UK

    Rocío Valdivielso del Real

Authors
  1. Rocío Valdivielso del Real
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rocío Valdivielso del Real .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. FTZ-ALS, HAW Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

    Walter Leal Filho

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

del Real, R.V. (2017). Governing Sustainability: Some Challenges Ahead. In: Leal Filho, W. (eds) Sustainable Development Research at Universities in the United Kingdom. World Sustainability Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-47883-8_10

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation