Broadening the Application of the Sustainability Science Approach

Sustainability science has emerged as a new academic discipline in the last decade.  It provides a new approach to deal with complex, long-term global issues, such as human-induced climate and ecosystem changes, from broad perspectives. It also aims to promote solutions that contribute to rebuilding a sound relationship between human society and the environment (i.e. coupled social-ecological systems). 

An enhanced interface between academia and practitioners is vital to develop and implement such solutions. Strengthening connections between a variety of stakeholders - including governments, think tanks, the private sector, NGOs and other civil society actors - is required to support good governance for a sustainable society and reach the full potential of sustainability science. The international UNESCO project “Broadening the Application of the Sustainability Science Approach” was initiated in October 2015 with the support of the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Japan/MEXT) to identify good practices and develop guidelines to help Member States harness the potential of sustainability science in their sustainable development strategies.