Governance for sustainable development: moving from theory to practice
Abstract
In this paper we examine and elaborate on the central elements of sustainable development and governance, considering their interrelations as they have emerged from the core themes in sustainable development discourses over the past decade and a half. We argue that sustainability is best viewed as a socially instituted process of adaptive change in which innovation is a necessary element. We discuss four key elements of governance for sustainability, which are integrated into the concept of transition management. The result is a conceptual framework for policy-making and action-taking aimed at progress towards sustainability.
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The key components or mechanisms of complex governance for social sustainability include: policy integration, common objectives, criteria, trade-off rules and indicators, information and incentives for practical implementation and programs for system innovation.
“The key components or mechanisms of complex governance for social sustainability include: policy integration, common objectives, criteria, trade-off rules and indictors, information and incentives for practical implementation and programs for system innovation (Kemp et al., 2005).”
From Climate change and COP26: Are digital technologies and information management part of the problem or the solution? An editorial reflection and call to action (2022) · cites this paper as Kemp et al., 2005
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- Authors
- Kemp, R., Parto, S., & Gibson, R. B.
- Affiliations
- University of Waterloo (CA)
- Venue
- International Journal of Sustainable Development
- Publisher
- Inderscience Publishers
- Published
- 2005
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 1/2
- Pages
- 12
- ISSN
- 0960-1406 (ISSN-L)
- 1741-5268
- OpenAlex
- W2117851366
- Cited by
- 636
- References
- 40
- Citations by year
- 2026: 18 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 29 · 2022: 32 · 2021: 47 · 2020: 52 · 2019: 48 · 2018: 42 · 2017: 32 · 2016: 28 · 2015: 45 · 2014: 42 · 2013: 32 · 2012: 39
- FWCI
- 14.27
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Sustainable Development (publishedVersion)
- RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
- Research Publications (Maastricht University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Sustainability and Climate Change Governance
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law › Sustainable Development and Environmental Management
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Climate Change and Sustainable Development
- Keywords
- sustainable development, governance, transition management, adaptive change, innovation, sustainability policy, conceptual framework, social institutions
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