Project on Sustainability Transformation beyond 2015

Principal Investigator: Norichika KANIE

Institution: Keio University

5322 Endo, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa 252-0882 Japan

PHONE: +81-466-49-3452

E-mail: kanie@sfc.keio.ac.jp

Cooperated by: Kyushu University, Tokyo University, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies

## [Abstract]

Key words: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Governance through goals, Bottom-up Approach, Participatory Workshop, National SDGs target, Sustainable development indicator, Nexus

The aim of this project was to develop approaches, strategies and rationale, and conceptual development on governance towards sustainability transformation, with special focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

By applying transdisciplinary approach to bring together cutting-edge researchers and key stakeholders throughout research and delivery process, this research contributed to the UN outcome document on 2030 agenda for sustainable development on several ends. In particular, our research result was taken up on the structure of the SDGs that target is the appropriate space for considering different national conditions, capabilities and circumstances. We also conceptualized the SDGs as a leading example of “governing through goals”, which is different governance strategies from the existing ones such as international regime building. These result was based upon re-definition of the very concept of “sustainable development”. Through international collaborative research, we re-defined “sustainable development” as “development that meets the needs of the present while safeguarding Earth's life-support system, on which the welfare of current and future generations depends”. This requires integrated approaches for the SDGs, which is the backbone behind our proposal, “prescription for SDGs implementation in Japan”.

We also examined the economic impacts in relation to resource and environmental constraints, and indicates the targets for the SDGs. We built the database by using multiple imputation method and estimated the abatement costs of emissions and shadow prices of natural capitals, such as minerals, in every countries or regions by applying the database. This study mentioned the impacts of social economics in the case that the targets are achieved, and showed the importance of the international frameworks by considering economic conditions and resource holdings by country.

We also reviewed a new learning approach such as transformative and progressive pedagogy to acquire knowledge and skills to deal with various and complex global risks faced by the modern society. As a result, we suggest the importance of having every human being foster multiple ‘literacies’, as for the approaches to comprehend both cognitive and non-cognitive capacity, could be necessary for dealing with the complex challenges surrounding people both individually and collectively. Furthermore, as an effective approach to improve the quality of education, our study suggests integration of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) perspectives and cultivation of citizenship education for achieving sustainable development. To attain higher quality of education, we emphasize on the need for promoting ESD to a