Sustainability Frameworks & Models (HL IB ESS OLD COURSE - IGNORE)

Revision Note

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)


2030 Goal


Explanation

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End all forms of poverty by 2030, including absolute and relative poverty

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End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

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Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

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Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

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Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

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Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

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Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

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Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all

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Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

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Reduce inequality within and among countries

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Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

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Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

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Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

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Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

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Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification; halt and reverse land degradation; and halt biodiversity loss

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Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

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Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

Uses of the SDGs

  1. Common ground for policymaking:

    • The SDGs provide a shared agenda for governments, organisations (NGOs and IGOs) and communities to develop policies and initiatives

  2. Global relevance:

    • The SDGs are applicable to both developed and developing countries, encouraging a universal approach to sustainability

  3. 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

  1. Insufficient ambition:

    • Criticisms suggests that the SDGs do not go far enough in addressing the magnitude of global challenges

  2. Top-down approach:

    • Some argue that the SDGs are bureaucratic and fail to adequately involve local communities in decision-making processes

  3. Ignoring local contexts:

    • The SDGs may overlook the unique socio-cultural, economic and environmental contexts of different regions

  4. 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

Diagram of the planetary boundaries model for IB HL Environmental Systems and Societies
Planetary Boundaries Model

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

  1. Identifies science-based limits:

    • Provides clear boundaries based on scientific understanding of Earth systems

  2. Highlights of the need for comprehensive action:

    • Shifts focus beyond climate change (which dominates current discussion) to address other critical environmental issues

  3. Raises awareness:

    • Alerts the public and policymakers about the urgency of protecting Earth's systems

Limitations of the planetary boundary model

  1. Ignores societal factors:

    • It focuses only on ecological systems and does not consider the human dimension necessary to take action for environmental justice

  2. Work in progress:

    • Assessments of boundaries are constantly changing as new data becomes available

  3. 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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Alistair Marjot

Author: Alistair Marjot

Expertise: Biology & Environmental Systems and Societies

Alistair graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Biological Sciences. He has taught GCSE/IGCSE Biology, as well as Biology and Environmental Systems & Societies for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. While teaching in Oxford, Alistair completed his MA Education as Head of Department for Environmental Systems & Societies. Alistair has continued to pursue his interests in ecology and environmental science, recently gaining an MSc in Wildlife Biology & Conservation with Edinburgh Napier University.

Bridgette Barrett

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After graduating with a degree in Geography, Bridgette completed a PGCE over 25 years ago. She later gained an MA Learning, Technology and Education from the University of Nottingham focussing on online learning. At a time when the study of geography has never been more important, Bridgette is passionate about creating content which supports students in achieving their potential in geography and builds their confidence.