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Are you interested in a paradigm shift for sustainability transformation?

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Our summary today works with the article titled Systems thinking as a paradigm shift for sustainability transformation from 2022 by N. Voulvoulis, T. Giakoumis, C. Hunt, V. Kioupi, N. Petrou, I. Souliotis, C. Vaghela, WIH binti Wan Rosely, published in the Global Environmental Change journal.

This is a great preparation for our next interviewee, Tom Bosschaert in episode 186 talking about integrated sustainability and systems thinking approaches.

Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see how a holistic, integrated and interdisciplinary thinking can enable conditions for sustainability to emerge. This article advocates for a systemic approach to sustainability, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies that address interconnected environmental, social, and economic challenges.

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Welcome to today’s What is The Future For Cities podcast and its Research episode; my name is Fanni, and today I will introduce a research paper by summarising it. The episode really is just a short summary of the original paper, and, in case it is interesting enough, I would encourage everyone to check out the whole paper. Stay tuned until because I will give you the 3 most important things and some questions which would be interesting to discuss.

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In the face of global sustainability challenges, understanding their complexity and interconnectivity becomes paramount. Systems thinking presents itself as a vital approach in this regard, providing a comprehensive perspective to explore the intertwined nature of environmental, social, and economic issues. This approach is essential for developing long-term sustainable solutions that address the multi-dimensional aspects of these challenges, moving beyond traditional, compartmentalized methods.

Central to this discussion are the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which serve as a guiding framework for global sustainability efforts. However, there is an acknowledged gap in the effective operationalization of these goals, highlighting the need for transformative strategies that not only focus on individual SDGs but also recognize their interdependencies. This points to a necessary shift in policy and management strategies, from narrow, isolated approaches to more integrated, holistic decision-making processes. Such a shift is crucial for harnessing the full potential of the SDGs and steering the world towards a sustainable and equitable future.

Implementing systems thinking in sustainability practices faces significant challenges. While systems thinking is theoretically understood among professionals, its practical application is less prevalent. Education systems currently do not focus enough on developing systems thinking competencies, resulting in policy makers and managers who may lack the holistic perspective required to effectively address sustainability challenges. This shortfall leads to isolated, narrowly focused strategies, emphasizing the need for a fundamental shift in educational and policy-making approaches to incorporate and operationalize systems thinking for meaningful sustainability transformations.

Shifting paradigms in sustainability involves overcoming deeply entrenched societal and economic practices. Historical examples demonstrate that paradigm shifts occur when existing models are challenged and new perspectives gain prominence. In sustainability, this means addressing habitual, often unconscious behaviours and consumerist norms that contribute to environmental harm. Such transformation requires a collective approach, recognizing the role of institutions and socio-material arrangements in shaping individual behaviours. Policies aimed at large-scale change are essential, focusing not only on reducing material consumption but also on fostering values centred around experiences, relationships, and social resilience. This comprehensive approach is key to achieving sustainable transformations.

Transitioning from an unsustainable to a sustainable state requires envisioning a collective future and choosing appropriate pathways. This transformation is not straightforward due to the multiple viable paths and the need for inclusive multi-actor participation in defining solutions. Understanding the complexity of sustainability challenges necessitates a collaborative approach in structuring problems, involving a wide range of stakeholders. Systems thinking is essential in this process, guiding actions towards a sustainable human society by addressing root causes of unsustainability and creating conditions that support sustainability emergence. Governments and policies play a central role, with systems thinking enabling a broader perspective beyond immediate solutions.

Environmental sustainability has been a key focus of policy debates since the 1970s. Despite some successes, the majority of sustainability problems remain unresolved, largely due to interventions that have not been systemic in nature. Traditional approaches have often overemphasized systems engineering and computational methods, focusing more on infrastructure than on people. This has led to a situation where most interventions, though well-intentioned, fail to address the ‘deep leverage points’ in the system, which include changing underlying rules, values, and paradigms. Instead, efforts have often been directed at symptomatic solutions or ‘low-hanging fruit’, without tackling the more complex, foundational issues that perpetuate unsustainability.

Understanding the root causes of unsustainability requires a shift in perspective, facilitated by systems thinking. This approach involves comprehending the web of interrelations that create complex problems and rethinking our relationship with the world. Systems thinking goes beyond identifying simple cause-and-effect relationships or pinpointing a single root cause. It recognizes the need for comprehensive assessments and interventions that take into account human nature, cognition, and the socioeconomic systems that drive behaviour. This approach shifts focus from individual misbehaviour to the larger, systemic factors that encourage unsustainable practices. By employing systems thinking, we can better understand human behaviour, the role of circumstances, and the mental models behind actions, leading to more effective public policy and market-based incentives for global sustainability.

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What was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Do you have any follow up question? Let me know on Twitter at WTF4Cities or on the wtf4cities.com website where the transcripts and show notes are available! Additionally, I will highly appreciate if you consider subscribing to the podcast or on the website. I hope this was an interesting paper for you as well, and thanks for tuning in!

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Finally, as the most important things, I would like to highlight 3 aspects:

1. Systems thinking is essential for addressing the interconnected nature of global sustainability challenges, moving beyond traditional, isolated approaches.
2. Effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals requires transformative strategies that recognize the interdependencies among these goals.
3. A paradigm shift in policy, education, and societal behaviour is crucial for achieving true sustainability, focusing on holistic solutions rather than symptomatic treatments.

Additionally, it would be great to talk about the following questions:

1. What innovative strategies can be developed to more effectively integrate systems thinking in everyday policy-making and management?
2. Considering the interdependencies of the SDGs, how can we measure progress in a way that reflects these complex relationships?
3. What specific educational reforms are needed to better equip future leaders with systems thinking competencies for sustainability?
4. How can you use systems thinking in your life and what benefits will you gain with this paradigm shift?

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