Knowledge Platform on Sustainability Science

Given the increasingly complex global environmental challenges, there is a need to promote interdisciplinary approaches to development. Sustainability Science, a problem-focused approach rather than discipline-focused approach, recognises that social, cultural, spiritual and traditional values are part of a broader whole that needs to be encompassed in order to engender a sustainable future. UNESCO Man And Biosphere Program (MAB) defines Sustainability Science as “an integrated, problem-solving approach that draws on the full range of scientific, traditional and indigenous knowledge in a trans-disciplinary way to identify, understand and address present and future economic, environmental, ethical and societal challenges related to sustainable development” (UNESCO MAB, 2015).

According to literature reviews, Sustainability Science adopts the following 4 components: dynamic interactions between nature and society, transdisciplinary approach, normative function, and transformational function. UNESCO thus promotes Sustainability Science among ASEAN member countries as an initiative to strengthen the interface between science and policy by promoting collaboration between Natural Sciences (SC) and Social and Human Sciences (SHS). The result of International Workshop on Sustainability Science conducted on 4-5 April 2013 in Langkawi, Malaysia shows consensus among delegates that only coordinated efforts and sustainability science-based approach to solve global challenges will bring about sustainable development.

Sustainability science is currently being promoted by UNESCO Office Jakarta through the projects Science Harnessed for ASEAN Regional Policy (SHARP). SHARP is a project designed to strengthen environmental science-policy-society interface for improved natural resource management frameworks and science policies in ASEAN countries for more sustainable and resilient futures, in this regards, with sustainability science approach, through demonstration sites.

Under SHARP, in collaboration with Sustainability Transformation Across the Region (STAR) project (click here), a framework on social perspective of Sustainability Science, referred to as Integrated Strategies Framework for Sustainability Science, has been developed based on indicators (physical – ecological indicators, socio-demographic indicators, and public policy-economic indicators), socio-environmental stressors and specific findings from the demonstration sites. This framework was developed to provide useful method and guidance to support the application of sustainability science indicators for a regional vision on sustainability actions, identify the key characteristics of communities and develop the capacity of communities in order to identify the key pathways for policy intervention.

Picture : The Integrated Strategies Framework for Sustainability Science Developed by Tahmina Rashid (2016), for UNESCO Regional Science Bureau for Asia and the Pacific

For further readings :

• Rashid, T. 2016. Improving Integrative Socio-environmental Approaches in Support of Effective Community Level Decision Making for Human Development and Environmental Sustainability in Sustainability Science Demonstration Sites. University of Canberra
• Rashid, T. 2016. Developing Integrative Socio-environmental Approaches in Support of Effective Community Level Decision Making for Human Development and Environmental Sustainability in Sustainability Science Demonstration Sites. University of Canberra

 Project partner Langkawi and Langat River Basin:

• Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia UKM (LESTARI)
  Institute for Environment & Development
  Contact: Prof Dato’ Dr. Mazlin bin Mokhtar (LESTARI UKM) / Dr Rahmah Elfithri (LESTARI UKM)
  
• Project partner Davao city:
  HELP Davao Network
  Contact: Dr Anthony C. Sales (HELP Davao Network / Department of
  Science and Technology Regional Office XI)
  
• Project partner Ifugao Rice Terraces:
  IH&MD Heritage Tourism Consultants Co
  Contact: Prof Ivan Anthony S. Henares (University of the Philippines, Diliman)
  
• Project partner Siem Reap :
  APSARA (Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of Siem Reap)
  UNESCO Phnom Penh Office
  Contact: Maria Iniguez De Heredia (consultant UNESCO Phnom Penh)

Sustainability Science International/Regional Dialogue/Workshops

• Synthesis Workshop of the Project STAR and SHARP (2016)
• International Workshop on Sustainability Science (2015)
• Regional Workshop on Sustainability Science in the Asia Pacific Region (2013)

Contact
Professor Dr. Shahbaz Khan
Director, UNESCO Regional Science Bureau for Asia and the Pacific
s.khan(at)unesco.org