Sustainable Action

Christian Berg lectures on sustainability at different German universities (TU Clausthal, Saarland University, Kiel University). He has worked in business for more than a decade, among others as Chief Sustainability Architect at SAP. He has published several books on sustainability-related topics and has led the task force on Sustainable Economic Activity and Growth within German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Future Dialogue. He holds degrees in physics (Dipl.-Phys.), philosophy (MA), theology (Mag. Theol. and Dr Theol.), and engineering (Dr-Ing.). For further information, visit his website at www.christianberg.net.

Acknowledgements

Preface

Abbreviations

Illustrations

1 Introduction: Sustainability – A Utopian Ideal?

1.1 Sustainability – an 'exhausted' concept?

1.2 Phase transition towards sustainability

1.3 Understanding the barriers towards sustainability

1.4 Developing Action principles for Sustainability

1.5 Concept of sustainability

1.6 Structure of the book

1.7 Methodological approach

1.8 Summary

Part 1: Barriers

Intrinsic Barriers

2 Barriers related to physical reality

2.1 The Problem of ERoEI, Resources, and Pollution

2.2 Complexity

3 Barriers related to human condition

3.1 Cognitive Limitations: Linear and unconnected thinking

3.2 Moral Limitations – Greed, Selfishness and Ignorance

3.3 Value-action gap

3.4 Trade-offs

4 Barriers related to social reality

4.1 System inertness and path dependencies

4.2 "Meeting the needs of the present…"

4.2.1 Demand for sustainability starts with the present needs

4.2.2 Poverty as multidimensional phenomenon

4.2.3 The poor suffer most – environmental injustice

4.2.4 High Ecological Footprint or High Development – is there no alternative?

4.3 Populism and Fundamentalism

4.4 Inequalities

4.5 Conflicting Interests

4.5.1 No framework for resolving conflicting interests on international level

4.5.2 Conflicting interests are not always visible

4.5.3 Inequalities imply uneven negotiation powers and impede settlements

4.5.4 Leadership and Power Structures

Extrinsic Barriers 1 – Institutional Deficiencies

5 Economy: Faulty Market System

5.1 Market Failure

5.1.1 Public goods and the tragedy of the commons

5.1.2 Free-Riding

5.1.3 Externalization societies: Shift costs to the weak, to nature, and to the future

5.2 Pervasiveness of economic thinking

6 Politics: Lack of effective governance for global issues

6.1 Challenges of IGOs and multilateral international treaties

6.2 Geopolitics and the struggle of establishing a world order

7 Law: Legal difficulties related to sustainability

7.1 Sustainability concerns not institutionalized

7.2 Limiting of individual liberties for the sake of the common good?

7.2.1 Betterment of individual rights compared to public goods

7.2.2 Challenges to the concept of the common good

8 Technology: Mismatch Between Impact and Governance

9 Structural silos: Fragmentation of knowledge, Administration, and Responsibility

9.1 Fragmentation of Knowledge

9.2 Fragmentation of Administration

9.3 Fragmentation of Responsibility

Extrinsic Barriers 2 – Zeitgeist-dependent Barriers

10 Short-Term orientation and acceleration

11 Consumerism

Part 2 – Action Principles

12 Why Action Principles?

12.1 A change in perspective – Take the actor’s view

12.2 Why principles for sustainable action?

12.3 Types of principles

13 Nature-related principles

13.1 Decarbonize

13.2 Reduce Environmental Impact by Efficiency, Sufficiency, and Compatibility

13.3 Be "net-positive" – build up environmental and societal capital!

13.4 Prefer Local, Seasonal, Plant-based, and Labour-intensive

13.5 Polluter pays principle

13.6 Precautionary principle

13.7 Appreciate and Celebrate the Beauty of Nature

14 Personal principles

14.1 Why personal principles matter

14.2 Practice Praxis and Contemplation

14.3 Be not too certain – and apply policies cautiously

14.4 Celebrate Frugality

15 Society-related principles

15.1 Grant the least privileged the greatest support

15.2 Seek mutual understanding, trust and multiple-wins

15.3 Be Tolerant

15.4 Strengthen social cohesion and collaboration

15.5 Engage the Stakeholders

15.6 Foster education – share knowledge and collaborate

16 System-related principles

16.1 Apply systems thinking

16.1.1 Think holistically

16.1.2 Think long-term and decelerate

16.1.3 Think global – promote local

16.2 Foster Diversity

16.3 Increase Transparency of the Publicly Relevant

16.4 Maintain or Increase Option Diversity

17 Conclusion: Sustainable action principles trigger phase transition

17.1 Summary: Overcoming the Barriers

17.2 The Goal: Future of terra and humanity – Futeranity

17.2.1 Three challenges to the SDG process

17.2.2 The Utopian Ideal of Sustainability is Futeranity

17.2.3 Sustainable action principles facilitate Futeranity

17.2.4 The critical role of the actors for a transition towards sustainability

17.3 Outlook: Change is coming