A systems reset for sustainable development
Abstract Although sustainable development is an agreed vision for all countries, it lacks theoretical grounding. The contemporary market-based economy maximizes flows of material from nature through the economy to society, amplifying trends away from sustainability. We provide an alternative conceptualization of sustainable development, based not only on the flow of contributions from nature to economic actors, but equally of subsequent benefits to society, the effects of indirect drivers from society on economic actors, and direct drivers of economies on nature. This facilitates understanding of the dynamics and limits of the system, impacts on nature, the values influencing current trends away from sustainability, and of potential responses. This more holistic conceptualization enables actors to align their actions, supporting collective action towards sustainability across all scales. It thereby opens up space for inclusive co-habitation of the planet by people with diverse worldviews, enhanced achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and more holistic framing for a post-2030 agenda for sustainability.
Authors
- Arun Agrawal (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6796-2958)
- David Obura (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2256-6649)
- Karen O’Brien (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2448-0665)
- Jean-Marc FROMENTIN
- Peter Stoett (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3164-3186)
- Paula A. Harrison (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9873-3338)
- Michael Christie
- Helen E. Roy
- Aníbal Pauchard
- Matt Jones
- Josef Settele
Institutions
- University of Notre Dame (US)
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (DE)
- Ifremer (FR)
- Aberystwyth University (GB)
- UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (GB)
- University of Concepción (CL)
- University of Oslo (NO)
- Université de Montpellier (FR)
- Ontario Tech University (CA)
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (GB)
- Coastal Oceans Research and Development in the Indian Ocean (KE)
- Marine Biodiversity Exploitation and Conservation (FR)
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (FR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Communications Sustainability
- Published
- 2026-01-08
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s44458-025-00009-3
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Global Development and Urbanization
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 55.57
Funders
- Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo