Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
Sustainability Frameworks & Models (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))
Revision Note
Written by: Alistair Marjot
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
UN Sustainable Development Goals
There are a range of frameworks and models that support our understanding of sustainability
Sustainability models, like all models, are simplified versions of reality
This means they have both uses and limitations
The United Nations created one of these models, known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in 2015
In 2015, the United Nations Member States committed to a shared plan for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future
This plan is called the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a comprehensive set of social and environmental objectives that were established as targets for the 2030 Agenda
These goals aim to provide a universal framework for addressing urgent global challenges whilst promoting sustainable development and environmental justice
The SDG model recognises that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality and generate economic growth—all while tackling climate change and working to preserve ecosystems such as our oceans and forests
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals
The SDG model consists of 17 goals and 169 targets covering various aspects of sustainable development
Goals range from eradicating poverty and hunger to promoting sustainable cities and combating climate change
The SDGs provide both a target for sustainable development and a metric to measure the progress made
Explanation of the 17 SDGs (Source: UN SDGs)
|
|
|---|---|
 | End all forms of poverty by 2030, including absolute and relative poverty |
 | End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture |
 | Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages |
 | Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all |
 | Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls |
 | Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all |
 | Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all |
 | Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all |
 | Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation |
 | Reduce inequality within and among countries |
 | Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable |
 | Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns |
 | Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts |
 | Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development |
 | Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification; halt and reverse land degradation; and halt biodiversity loss |
 | Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels |
 | Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development |
Uses of the SDGs
Common ground for policymaking:
The SDGs provide a shared agenda for governments, organisations (NGOs and IGOs) and communities to develop policies and initiatives
Global relevance:
The SDGs are applicable to both developed and developing countries, encouraging a universal approach to sustainability
Galvanising the international community:
The SDGs encourage collaboration and collective action among nations and stakeholders to address economic and social inequalities
Limitations of the SDGs
Insufficient ambition:
Criticisms suggests that the SDGs do not go far enough in addressing the magnitude of global challenges
Top-down approach:
Some argue that the SDGs are bureaucratic and fail to adequately involve local communities in decision-making processes
Ignoring local contexts:
The SDGs may overlook the unique socio-cultural, economic and environmental contexts of different regions
Data deficiency:
The lack of comprehensive and accurate data hinders monitoring and evaluation of progress towards achieving the SDGs
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Don't worry—you don't need to learn all 17 Sustainable Development Goals! However, you should be able to explain some of the strengths and weaknesses of the SDGs.
It is worth familiarising yourself with a few specific examples of how the SDGs are being implemented in different contexts—for example, the UK government incorporates the SDGs into its national policies and strategies.
Planetary Boundaries Model
The planetary boundaries model outlines nine critical processes and systems that have regulated the stability and resilience of the Earth system during the Holocene epoch
Scientists created the model to specify the ecological systems on Earth within which humanity could operate safely.
It identifies limits to human disturbance on these processes and systems to prevent abrupt and irreversible changes
The nine planetary boundaries
Explanation of the Nine Planetary Boundaries
Planetary boundary | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
Climate change | The human-induced alteration of Earth's climate system Evidenced by rising global temperatures, sea level rise and extreme weather events | Increasing frequency and intensity of hurricanes |
Erosion of biosphere integrity (biodiversity loss) | The reduction in Earth's variety of life due to human activity Due to habitat destruction, species extinction and ecosystem degradation | Deforestation of the Amazon rainforest leading to loss of species diversity |
Biogeochemical flows (nitrogen and phosphorus cycles) | The disruption of natural nutrient cycles due to agricultural and industrial activities Excessive use of fertilisers leads to water pollution, algal blooms and dead zones | "Dead Zone" in the Gulf of Mexico brought on by Mississippi River nutrient runoff |
Stratospheric ozone depletion | The thinning of Earth's ozone layer due to human-made chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) Ozone depletion increases exposure to UV radiation, harming ecosystems and human health | Antarctic ozone hole formed by CFC emissions |
Ocean acidification | The lowering of pH levels due to increased carbon dioxide absorption by oceans Acidification damages marine life, especially organisms with calcium carbonate shells | Coral bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef due to ocean acidification |
Freshwater use | The unsustainable extraction and use of freshwater resources Overuse leads to the depletion of aquifers, reduced river flows and ecosystem degradation | Aral Sea shrinking due to excessive irrigation withdrawals |
Land system change | The conversion of natural ecosystems into urban, agricultural and industrial areas Leads to loss of biodiversity, soil erosion and disruption of carbon and water cycles | Deforestation of the Amazon for cattle ranching and soy production |
Chemical pollution (introduction of novel entities in the environment) | The release of synthetic chemicals into the environment Pollutants harm human health, ecosystems and wildlife | PCB contamination in rivers affecting fish populations |
Atmospheric aerosol loading | The emission of particulate matter and aerosols into the atmosphere Aerosols impact climate, air quality and human health | Smog formation in cities is due to industrial emissions |
Uses of the planetary boundary model
Identifies science-based limits:
Provides clear boundaries based on scientific understanding of Earth systems
Highlights of the need for comprehensive action:
Shifts focus beyond climate change (which dominates current discussion) to address other critical environmental issues
Raises awareness:
Alerts the public and policymakers about the urgency of protecting Earth's systems
Limitations of the planetary boundary model
Ignores societal factors:
It focuses only on ecological systems and does not consider the human dimension necessary to take action for environmental justice
Work in progress:
Assessments of boundaries are constantly changing as new data becomes available
Global focus may not suit local action:
Boundaries may not align with local or national priorities, making necessary actions challenging to implement at these smaller scales
Examiner Tips and Tricks
As with the SDGs, you don't need to learn all nine planetary boundaries but you should learn some of the uses and limitations of this model.
It is also important that you understand that crossing one of these planetary boundaries may impact the others, sometimes in unpredictable ways—for example, crossing the boundary of freshwater use can impact biodiversity loss by disrupting aquatic habitats and reducing available resources for species dependent on freshwater ecosystems.
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