Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

12-2021

Abstract

While there is much debate on transformative change among academics and policymakers, the discussion on how to govern such change is still in its infancy. This article argues that transformative governance is needed to enable the transformative change necessary for achieving global sustainability goals. Based on a literature review, the article unpacks this concept of transformative governance. It is: integrative, to ensure local solutions also have sustainable impacts elsewhere (across scales, places, issues and sectors); inclusive, to empower those whose interests are currently not being met and represent values embodying transformative change for sustainability; adaptive, enabling learning, experimentation, and reflexivity, to cope with the complexity of transformative change; and pluralist, recognizing different knowledge systems. We argue that only when these four governance approaches are: implemented in conjunction; operationalized in a specific manner; and focused on addressing the indirect drivers underlying sustainability issues, governance becomes transformative.

Keywords

Governance, transformative governance, sustainability

Discipline

Environmental Law

Research Areas

Public Interest Law, Community and Social Justice

Publication

Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability

Volume

53

First Page

20

Last Page

28

ISSN

1877-3435

Identifier

10.1016/j.cosust.2021.06.002

Publisher

Elsevier

Copyright Owner and License

Authors CC-BY

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2021.06.002

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