Sustainability and Government – A Case Study of the South Australian Government

摘要

Purpose of the paper : This paper reports on a PhD project (the Project ) concerned with what it means for humans to live sustainably, that is, for there to be a sustainable-world . In particular, the Project considers why, despite the need for humans to live sustainably having been of international concern for many years, humanity is still living unsustainably and this situation is worsening. ? Research method : A literature review using inductive and theoretical thematic analysis was conducted to develop a typology representing different approaches to a sustainable-world. A case study of the South Australian Government's ( SAG's ) sustainable-world approach was also conducted. ? Findings : Two main sustainable-world approaches are evident: a Reformist approach and a Transformational approach. Reformism is the current dominant approach. A Footprint-Analysis and socio-ecological resilience critique of Reformism casts doubt on its ability to see the primary sustainable-world goal achieved regardless of how aggressively it is pursued. The SAG's sustainable-world approach follows the Reformist theme. Concerns at Reformism's ability to see the primary sustainable-world goal achieved flow through to the SAG setting. ? Implications : The findings have important social implications, including policy implications for government, strategic decision making for business, through to day-to-day lifestyle decisions for communities, households, and individuals. The key point is that pursuit of the Reformist approach may, rather than see a sustainable-world come about, continue to drive humanity towards a social and ecological sustainability crisis point, whilst simultaneously acting as a barrier to the more decisive action that it needed.