Classroom collaborations: enabling sustainability education via student-community co-learning

open access articlePurpose: This case study explores co-learning classes, a novel approach to leveraging universities’ capacity to contribute to the local sustainable development agenda whilst enhancing students’ learning. These participatory classes were piloted on a UK university Masters module focussed on action for sustainability. The classes sought to combine knowledge exchange, reflection and social network development, by bringing together students and community stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach: The classes were run as a series of five free events, each focussed on sustainability issues relevant for local practitioners. These were either regular timetabled sessions opened up to the public or additional on-campus public events. Attendance was either face-to-face or online. Evaluation was based upon participation data, written feedback and module leader’s post-event reflections. Findings: The classes successfully secured participation from diverse community members, including local government staff, voluntary sector workers, and interested individuals. Both students and community stakeholders valued the participatory format, linkages of theoretical and practical knowledge and diversity of attendees. Research limits/implications: Findings are based upon a small-scale pilot study. Further research using a wider range of contexts is required to enhance understanding of the co-learning approach. Practical implications: This paper highlights some key practical issues to consider if employing co-learning approaches in other contexts, including using inclusive language, aligning with students’ motivations and choosing appropriate focal event topics. Originality/value: Opening up participatory university classes for the public to attend as co-learners is a rarely used approach and has little coverage in academic literature. This small-scale study therefore has value by highlighting some of the potential impacts, strengths and limitations of this approach.https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSHE-11-2018-0220/full/html#sec01

Workshop report : Earth and Environmental Science for Sustainable Development (Nairobi, March 2017)

This report describes the outcomes of a two-day interactive workshop in Nairobi (Kenya), conducted in March 2017. We gathered 32 delegates from 22 organisations in Kenya to determine sustainable development priorities and consider the role of Earth and environmental science in addressing these. Delegates came from diverse disciplines (e.g., geology, agriculture, geography, hydrology, ecology) and sectors (e.g., academia, commercial, civil society, government). Using the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a reference tool, participants identified primary development challenges and their research and data needs to help address these. Key themes included the food-water-energy nexus, clean water, and natural resources (minerals). Participants co-designed a set of draft science-for-development projects relating to these themes. BGS are using this information, together with the results of additional workshop activities, to inform the development of collaborative science-for-development activities in eastern Africa as part of our commitment to Official Development Assistance (ODA) in the region. We will further develop specific project ideas, using information gathered at this workshop, with appropriate regional and international partners. Information from this workshop provides supporting evidence of expressed development need and stakeholder expertise in eastern Africa. This information will guide future project applications to the Global Challenges Research Fund, and other appropriate research and innovation funding sources. Key Results and Conclusions Small group discussions and group voting generated a collective ranking of SDG priorities. Participants also reflected on where they believe Earth and environmental science can make the greatest contribution to development impact. These rankings were: Overall SDG ranking (Eastern Africa) based on summing of small groups votes: 1. Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6) 2. No Poverty (SDG 1) 3. Zero Hunger (SDG 2) 4. Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG 3) 5. Quality Education (SDG 4) Role for Earth and environmental science rankings: 1. Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6) 2. Climate Action (SDG 13) 3. Life on Land (SDG 15) 4. Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7) 5. Zero Hunger (SDG 2) Group discussions suggested that interconnectedness of SDGs and basic (immediate) development needs were likely to influence the prioritisation process. For example, participants noted that ending poverty (SDG 1), ending hunger (SDG 2) and ensuring access to clean water and sanitation (SDG 6) would underpin progress in many of the other SDGs. We used these rankings to establish three thematic working groups, with each tasked to identify specific challenges, research priorities, information needs and potential projects. Groups were: Food-water-energy nexus. This group identified geographic areas of interest, and considered crosscutting issues (data, cultural and political barriers, partnerships, lessons learned, and capacity building). Clean water and sanitation. This group discussed water availability mapping, enhanced water policy/governance/management, improved catchment management, data gaps, and applied research and training activities. Natural resources (minerals). This group identified activities relating to a Mombasa to Kisumu resource corridor, and artisanal and small-scale mining activities. Developing these activities will require effective science-for-development partnerships. Partnership characteristics of greatest importance to Kenyan participants were (i) sharing of project outputs, (ii) sharing of data, (iii) being treated as equals by other members of the partnership, and (iv) access to training and capacity building

Measurement and reporting of climate-smart agriculture: technical guidance for a countrycentric process

Given the extent of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) initiatives at project, national, regional and global levels, there is increasing interest in tracking progress in implementing CSA at national level. CSA is also expected to contribute to higher-level goals (e.g., the Paris Agreement, Africa Union’s Vision 25x25, and the Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs], etc.). Measurement and reporting of climate-smart agriculture (MR of CSA) provides intelligence on necessary the status, effectiveness, efficiency and impacts of interventions, which is critical for meeting stakeholders’ diverse management and reporting needs. In this paper, we build the case for a stakeholder-driven, country-centric framework for MR of CSA, which aims to increase coordination and coherence across stakeholders’ MR activities, while also aligning national reporting with reporting on international commitments. We present practical guidance on how to develop an integrated MR framework, drawing on findings from a multi-country assessment of needs, opportunities and capacities for national MR of CSA. The content of a unified MR framework is determined by stakeholders’ activities (how they promote CSA), needs (why MR is useful to them) and current capacities to conduct periodic monitoring, evaluation and reporting (how ready are institutions, staff and finances). Our analysis found that explicit demand for integration of data systems and active engagement of stakeholders throughout the entire process are key ingredients for building a MR system that is relevant, useful and acted upon. Based on these lessons, we identify a seven-step framework for stakeholders to develop a comprehensive information system for MR of progress in implementing CSA

STI Roadmaps for SDGs: Smart Specialisation for Territorial and Industrial Development in Rwanda

The International Workshop on Science, Technology and Innovation Roadmaps for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) took place in Kigali, January 9th-10th 2020. It was the first Workshop organised by the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) that addressed Smart Specialisation for Territorial and Industrial Development in Rwanda. In line with the EU Green Deal and the objectives of the Government of Rwanda, the workshop emphasised the sharing of best practices between various countries and taking an evidence-based approach, with localisation of actions and prioritisation of efforts. Follow-up Smart Specialisation cooperation with Rwanda is now taking place in the framework of the JRC Exploratory Research activity on “Smart Specialisation in Innovative and Informal African Economies”.JRC.B.3-Territorial Developmen

Can cyber technology be resilient and green?

There are some key events that have characterised the recent period one of these is the so-called digital transformation considered the natural evolution of the current society in the light of a pervasive technology like digital technology. Digital technology is intertwined with almost all the life sectors. Since the dawn of digital technology, the number of application and solutions based on such technology had a surprising rate of growth. Nowadays there is no field of human knowledge that doesn’t take advantage or is based on digital: communication, education, government, health, energy, mobility, etc.. We are increasing leaving the analog, face to face, paper-based world to enter the intangible digital mediated one. At the same time, society already faced several relevant cyber infrastructure malfunctions and attacks due to hackers, some targeting Governmental or Law Enforcement agencies and Institutions, some targeting critical infrastructures, others targeting big companies. Nowadays we are surrounded by “critical infrastructures” managed by cyber components that, in case of attacks, may create minor or mayor impacts on our daily life. The actual trend is to transfer to the digital domain as much as possible any “traditional” process and document, so in a glimpse government procedures and citizens documents and data will flow in the format of bit streams, sometimes, under the pressure of critical events this process wasn’t designed to ensure security. Consequently, the more we become digitalised, the more we are vulnerable to hackers and hybrid threats. Of course, the overall scenario includes many other aspects and “shades”. In the “analogue” world we had different pipelines and “channels” to perform, thanks to different tools and means, our activities, in the cyber world the whole activity depends on a single “pillar”: cyber technology. The pervasiveness of cyber technology, the internet and the quick deployment of emerging number crunching applications is emphasizing energy consumption, at the same time the rapid pace of innovation in the field of consumers’ devices produces significant amount of waste to be recycled or disposed. As a consequence, can cyber technology be considered green and resilient

Workshop Report: Earth and Environmental Science for Sustainable Development (Dar es Salaam, September 2017)

This report describes the outcomes of a two-day interactive workshop in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), conducted in September 2017. We gathered 17 delegates from 12 organisations in Tanzania to determine sustainable development priorities and consider the role of Earth and environmental science in addressing these. Delegates came from diverse disciplines (e.g., geology, agriculture, forestry, water management) and sectors (e.g., academia, civil society, commercial, government). Using the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a reference tool, participants identified primary development challenges and their research and data needs to help address these. Key themes included (i) sustainable land and water management, (ii) clean water and sanitation, and (iii) climate-smart agriculture, food security and nutrition. Participants co-designed a set of draft science-for-development projects relating to these themes. BGS are using this information, together with the results of additional workshop activities, to inform the development of collaborative science-for-development activities in eastern Africa as part of our commitment to Official Development Assistance (ODA) in the region. We will further develop specific project ideas, using information gathered at this workshop, with appropriate regional and international partners. Information from this workshop provides supporting evidence of expressed development need and stakeholder expertise in eastern Africa. This information will guide future project applications to the Global Challenges Research Fund, and other appropriate research and innovation funding sources. Key Results and Conclusions During the workshop, small group discussions and group voting generated a collective ranking of SDG priorities. Participants also reflected on where they believe Earth and environmental science can make the greatest contribution to development impact. These rankings were: Overall SDG ranking (eastern Africa) based on summing of small groups votes: 1. Quality Education (SDG 4) 2. Life on Land (SDG 15) 3. Industry/Innovation/Infrastructure (SDG 9) Role for Earth and environmental science rankings: 1. Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6) 2. Life on Land (SDG 15) 3. Climate Action (SDG 13) 4. Industry/Innovation/Infrastructure (SDG 9) Group discussions suggested that interconnectedness of SDGs and basic (immediate) development needs were likely to influence the prioritisation process. For example, participants noted that good health (SDG 3) was necessary to having decent work and economic growth (SDG 8). We used these rankings to establish three thematic working groups, with each tasked to identify specific challenges, research priorities, information needs and potential projects. Groups were: Sustainable land and water management. This group developed ideas relating to reducing land degradation, implementing and strengthening strategic environmental assessments, ensuring more integrated policy, and enhancing geo-ICT capacity. Clean water and sanitation. This group identified ideas around water pollution and the re-use and safe treatment of water, natural water quality, and data awareness and availability. Climate-smart agriculture, food security and nutrition. This group explored ways to improve post-harvest management of agricultural products, and improve land resource quality. Developing these activities will require effective science-for-development partnerships. Partnership characteristics of greatest importance to participants attending this Dar es Salaam workshop were (i) being treated as an equal by other members of the partnership, (ii) respectful dialogue between members of the partnership, (iii) access to training and capacity building, (iv) sharing of project outputs, and (v) access to funding/financial resources

2nd AtlantOS progress report plus International Scientific and Technical Advisory Board minutes and AtlantOS Legacy document

Prior to the 3rd annual meeting in month 32 a project progress report for the external project boards will be prepared to enable them to as good as possible prepared for the meeting and to ensure consequently that AtlantOS receives as constructive as possible recommendations from the board. The report together with the external summary board meeting report will be part of D11.

The contribution of the European UNESCO Global Geoparks for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – a study based on several data sources

With the approval of the International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGGP) by UNESCO, in November 2015, the new designation ‘UNESCO Global Geoparks’ (UGGps) was created. Based on a holistic approach, and in a sense of territorial ownership of its inhabitants, where the creation of local companies and innovative local products is added, these territories aim at a true sustainable regional development. In this context, this research was developed in the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SD) seeking to understand whether and how the UGGps contribute to this universal endeavor. To this end, this study was based on a selection of 33 UGGps, located in 22 European countries, and based on four sources: the Progress Reports (PRs) presented during the biennium 2015-2016, the abstracts presented in two Geoparks conferences (Rokua, 2015, and English Riviera, 2016), a questionnaire fulfilled by the managers of the selected UGGps (2017), and interviews to elements of the staff and local inhabitants and stakeholders of the Marble Arch Caves UGGp (2019). This methodology allowed obtaining data from 91 ‘PRs’, 95 abstracts, 22 questionnaires, and five interviews. Taking into account the UGGp concept, the five pillars of the 2030 Agenda – People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership –, together with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the ‘Top Ten Focus Areas’ defined by the IGGP, this study was focused on trying to answer three research questions: 1) How do the European UGGps effectively contribute to the achievement of the 17 SDGs of the 2030 Agenda? And if so, do they contribute far more than the ‘Eight SDGs’ selected by the IGGP?; 2) How can these contributions be accounted for, in a qualitative approach? ; 3) How can some of these contributions be used as examples of good practices, demonstrating the real impact in the achievement of some of the 17 SDGs, within the scope of UNESCO’s strategies, in this field?. From the analysis of the obtained data, it was possible to achieve the main objectives of this study and to arrive at a positive answer to the posed research questions. Consequently, it was possible to demonstrate that the UGGps, directly or indirectly in their activities, contribute to the 17 SDGs. It was also feasible to prove that UGGps contribute effectively far more than the selected ‘Eight SDGs’. With the applied methodology, it was possible to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that UGGps currently face, concerning the SDGs and, in this context, a proposal for a new model of an 'Annual Progress Report’ was prepared for the UGGps, contemplating this reality. This study also sheds new light on the effective involvement of local communities in these territories and the need to adapt to new challenges, (e.g. pandemic COVID-19). Therefore, it is expected that this research may open new paths and generate innovative ideas for scientific projects related to the contribution of the UGGps to the achievement of the 17 SDGs of the 2030 Agenda, allowing to contribute to future actions and strategic plans developed by the management structures of the UGGps.Com a aprovação do Programa Internacional de Geociências e Geoparques (IGGP) pela UNESCO, em novembro de 2015, foi criada a nova designação ‘Geoparques Mundiais da UNESCO (UGGps). Assentes numa abordagem holística, e num sentido de pertença territorial dos seus habitantes, onde se acrescenta a criação de empresas locais e de produtos locais inovadores, estes territórios visam um verdadeiro desenvolvimento regional sustentável. Neste contexto, esta investigação foi centrada nos propósitos da Agenda 2030 para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável, procurando compreender se e como os UGGps contribuem para esse esforço universal. Para tal, este estudo baseou-se numa seleção de 33 UGGps, localizados em 22 países europeus, e com base em quatro fontes: os Relatórios de Atividades (PRs) relativos ao biénio 2015-2016, os resumos apresentados em duas conferências de Geoparques (Rokua, 2015 e English Riviera, 2016), um questionário preenchido pelos gestores dos UGGps selecionados (2017) e um conjunto de entrevistas realizadas a elementos da equipa, habitantes locais e parceiros do Marble Arch Caves UGGp (2019). Esta metodologia permitiu obter dados de 91 ‘PRs’, 95 resumos, 22 questionários e cinco entrevistas. Tendo em consideração o conceito de ‘Geoparque’, os cinco pilares da Agenda 2030 - Pessoas, Planeta, Prosperidade, Paz e Parcerias -, conjuntamente com os 17 Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS) e as 'Dez Principais Áreas de Foco' definidas pelo IGGP, este estudo focou-se em procurar responder a três questões de investigação: 1) Como é que os UGGps europeus contribuem efetivamente para a concretização dos 17 ODS da Agenda 2030? Em caso afirmativo, se estes contribuem para mais do que os 'Oito ODS' selecionados pelo IGGP?; 2) Como é que algumas dessas contribuições podem ser contabilizadas, tendo por base uma abordagem qualitativa?; 3) Como é que algumas dessas contribuições podem ser usadas como exemplos de boas práticas, demonstrando o real impacto na concretização de alguns dos 17 ODS, no âmbito das estratégias definidas pela UNESCO neste domínio?. A partir da análise dos dados obtidos foi possível atingir os principais objetivos deste estudo, e chegar a uma resposta positiva às questões de investigação colocadas. Consequentemente, foi exequível demonstrar que os UGGps, direta ou indiretamente nas suas atividades, contribuem para os 17 ODS. Foi também viável provar que os UGGps contribuem efetivamente para mais do que os 'Oito ODS'. Com a metodologia aplicada, foi possível identificar os pontos fortes, os pontos fracos, as oportunidades e as ameaças que os UGGps enfrentam atualmente, no que se refere aos ODS e, neste contexto, foi elaborada uma proposta para um novo modelo de ‘Relatório Anual de Atividades’ para os UGGps, contemplando esta realidade. Este estudo traz ainda uma nova luz sobre o efetivo envolvimento das comunidades locais nesses territórios e a necessidade de adaptação a novos desafios, (e.g. pandemia COVID-19). Espera-se que esta investigação possa abrir novos caminhos e gerar ideias inovadoras para projetos científicos relacionados com a contribuição dos UGGps para a consecução dos 17 ODS da Agenda 2030, permitindo contribuir para ações futuras e planos estratégicos desenvolvidos pelas estruturas de gestão dos UGGps

A Tertiary Review on Blockchain and Sustainability With Focus on Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable development is crucial to securing the future of humanity. Blockchain as a disruptive technology and a driver for social change has exhibited great potential to promote sustainable practices and help organizations and governments achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Existing literature reviews on blockchain and sustainability often focus only on topics related to a few SDGs. There is a need to consolidate existing results in terms of SDGs and provide a comprehensive overview of the impacts that blockchain technology may have on each SDG. This paper intends to bridge this gap, presenting a tertiary review based on 42 literature reviews, to investigate the relationship between blockchain and sustainability in light of SDGs. The method used is a consensus-based expert elicitation with thematic analysis. The findings include a novel and comprehensive mapping of impact-based interlinkage of blockchain and SDGs and a systematic overview of drivers and barriers to adopting blockchain for sustainability. The findings reveal that blockchain can have a positive impact on all 17 SDGs though some negative effects can occur and impede the achievement of certain objectives. 76 positive and 10 negative linkages between blockchain adoption and the 17 SDGs as well as 45 factors that drive or hinder blockchain adoption for the achievement of SDGs have been identified. Research gaps to overcome the barriers and enhance blockchain’s positive impacts have also been identified. The findings may help managers in evaluating the applicability and tradeoffs, and policymakers in making supportive measures to facilitate sustainability using blockchain.publishedVersio