Sustainability Science brings together the experience and knowledge generated across a wide range of scientific disciplines to answer a question that is central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): How do we meet the needs of present and future generations while substantially reducing poverty and conserving the planet's life support systems?

Today, Sustainability Science is at the forefront of global efforts to find solutions to sustainability problems, from climate change and biodiversity loss to ecosystem degradation and persistent poverty and inequality.
UNESCO Jakarta Offi¬ce has pioneered the translation of Sustainability Science principles into action through various applied projects throughout Asia and the Pacific, designed to:

• Unite communities, policymakers, private sector and academic establishment to collectively identify the pressing challenges and devise effective solutions;
• Use indigenous knowledge systems developed with long and close interaction with nature to complement the knowledge derived from modern science; and 
• Build capacity for linking knowledge with action to promote sustainability.

• MOST Schools on Sustainability Science to promote evidence-informed decision-making through strengthening research-policy interface;
• Applied Sustainability Science Projects in Indonesia to design and deliver community models that respond to the social implications of climate change; (supported by Indonesian Funds-In-Trust)
• Applied Sustainability Science Framework designed based on the evidence and knowledge generated through the pilot models, the MOST Schools, and global good practices;
• Addressing Haze Pollution from Bioethical and Sustainability Science Perspectives to investigate the social, cultural and economic aspects of haze within the universal ethical and human rights frameworks, and to generate recommendations for all parts of society that have a stake in this issue – the governments, the private sector, and the civil society. (supported by Malaysian Funds-In-Trust)
• STAR (Sustainability Transformation Across the Region) to integrate “Sustainability Science” concepts into natural resource management frameworks and processes that serve and align well with regional research and management challenges while supporting opportunities for more sustainable and resilient futures in the context of UNESCO designated sites in Asia and the Pacific. (supported by Japanese Funds-In-Trust)
• SHARP (Science Harnessed for ASEAN Regional Policy) to support demonstration and synthesis of environmental sustainability best practices to underpin sustainable development policies across ASEAN Member States. (supported by Malaysian Funds-In-Trust)
• Sustainability Science Global Project to identify good practices and develop guidelines to help Member States harness the potential of sustainability science in their sustainable development strategies. (supported by Japanese Funds-In-Trust)
• Kuala Lumpur Statement  (from the Regional Workshop on Sustainability Science in the Asia-Pacific Region in 2013 and supported by Japanese Funds-In-Trust)
• BRIDGES (Biosphere Reserves Interconnected in Diverse Global Environments for Sustainability in Asia and the Pacific) to develop – among other outputs – a UNESCO biosphere reserve management guideline informed by sustainability science concepts and approaches.
• WISER (International Hydrological Programme Water Informatics for Sustainability and Enhanced Resilience in Asia and the Pacific) – to review gaps in water current education curricula in Asia and the Pacific, and to reinforce existing curricula with sustainability science methodologies and content.

Publications

Case Studies from Applied Sustainability Science Projects in Indonesia:

• Green Livelihood, Green Education Project: Challenges confronted by people in Alahan Panjang village (District of Solok, West Sumatera Province:) English / Indonesian
• Mount Sasak and its biodiversity (District of West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara Province) English / Indonesian
• Climate change and the challenges of irregular weather patterns for the farmers in Imogiri (District of Bantul, Special Province of Yogyakarta) English / Indonesian

For more information of this topic, please check this link or directly contact the UNESCO Jakarta Office:

M Ai Sugiura (Natural Science Unit) a.sugiura(at)unesco.org

Mr Irakli Khodeli (Social and Human Sciences Unit) i.khodeli(at)unesco.org