Sustainability and Transitions
MODULE 1 –
Foundations of Sustainability & Transition Thinking
Learning Objectives
- Define sustainability across environmental, social, and economic dimensions.
- Differentiate “incremental improvement” vs “transformational transition.”
- Map key actors and feedbacks that shape transition trajectories.
Key Terms
Sustainable Development Planetary Boundaries Just Transition Socio-technical System Path Dependence
Core Content
Sustainability is the capacity of human and natural systems to endure and co-evolve while maintaining ecological integrity, social equity, and economic viability. A transition implies structural shifts—across technologies, institutions, cultures, and markets—rather than marginal efficiencies. These shifts are nonlinear, contested, and path-dependent. Mini-Lecture Outline (click to expand)
- Triple Bottom Line & Doughnut Economics: meeting human needs within ecological ceilings.
- Planetary Boundaries: climate, biosphere integrity, land use, nutrient cycles—why thresholds matter.
- Transition vs. Optimization: why “less bad” isn’t enough; lock-in, sunk costs, and regime resistance.
- Justice & Inclusion: distributing risks/benefits; procedural fairness in decision-making.
Case Mini-Lab
Prompt: Pick one sector (power, mobility, buildings, food). Identify the incumbent regime (dominant tech, policy, culture) and two pressures pushing change (e.g., carbon pricing, new tech costs, public sentiment). Describe one niche innovation that could scale.
Assignment & Assessment
Task: 600-word sector briefing defining the transition challenge, key lock-ins, and a vision statement for a 2035 sustainable state.
| Criterion | Excellent (A) | Competent (B-C) | Needs Work (D) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems Framing | Clear multi-actor map & feedbacks | Partial actor list; limited dynamics | Lists without relationships |
| Evidence | Uses data/benchmarks conceptually | General statements | Assertions only |
| Justice Lens | Concrete distributional analysis | Mentions equity | No justice framing |