Common But Differentiated Governance: A Metagovernance Approach to Make the SDGs Work

Abstract

Abstract:The implementation of the common and universally applicable United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires differentiated governance frameworks at all levels, as it falls short to use one governance style only-hierarchical, network or market governance-or any one style combination that is believed to be fit-for-all-purposes. The article introduces the guiding principle of "Common But Differentiated Governance" (CBDG) and illustrates how this principle can make the SDGs work. It will be shown that, after more than 15 years' experience with the concept of "metagovernance" (how to combine different governance styles into successful governance frameworks), there seems to be some convergence towards using this as comprehensive approach to achieve situationally appropriate governance frameworks. In this article, we have elaborated how policy makers could use metagovernance, combined with key governance principles, as mechanism to support analysis, design and management of SDG governance frameworks, to make failures noticed, and to suggest mitigation measures. Metagovernance respects common principles like rule of law, but takes as starting point that there may be different pathways to achieve them. A possible step-by-step approach for SDG implementation with metagovernance is OPEN ACCESSSustainability 2015, 7 12296 proposed, as well as establishing governance support arrangements to assist process design, review, monitoring and evaluation, at least at the national level.

Addressing “Wicked Problems” through Governance for Sustainable Development—A Comparative Analysis of National Mineral Policy Approaches in the European Union

“…Public institutions adopting such an approach will benefit from increased commitment and legitimacy, as well as more effective policy instrument implementation in the future and, thus, be more likely to achieve policy outcomes. Beyond the arena of mineral policy, such approaches will be particularly relevant for upcoming EU MS Strategies following up on recent developments, such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (see for example [42]) or the EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy.…”

“…However, what all these approaches have in common is the application of a set of guiding principles for governance processes instead of technical/rational thinking or management by strict rules. Similarly, Meuleman and Niestroy [42] suggested a concept of governance for SD, "Common But Differentiated Governance", which draws upon several general principles as a meta-governance approach for implementing the Global Sustainable Development Goals. Nevertheless, it remains a challenge to incorporate the exploratory and pluralistic ethos of "clumsy" solution approaches into policy-making in a meaningful way that works within, and modifies, existing institutional configurations.…”

“…SD is conceptualised as a reflexive process that is facilitated/steered by the normative "governance for sustainable development principles" [42][43][44][45]. Governance for SD, in light of a "wicked problem", has to be conceptualised as "steering requirements" that facilitate a continuously emerging policy approach rather than the management/steering/guiding of the implementation of a particular policy [16][17][18][46][47][48][49].…”

Compensation strategies to enact new governance frameworks for SDG transformations

“…These transformations need to be designed for, directed and adapted to country contexts, e.g., levels of development, political and social realities, local strengths, unique needs and governance structures (Sachs et al, 2019a). Each country must follow its own path and reforms that consider meta-governance, i.e., a pluralistic approach to governance of different 377 governance styles, may be important as they are a way of dealing with context (UNCEPA, 2019; Meuleman, 2018;Meuleman and Niestroy, 2015;Niestroy, 2005).…”

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“…These transformations need to be designed for, directed and adapted to country contexts, e.g., levels of development, political and social realities, local strengths, unique needs and governance structures (Sachs et al, 2019a). Each country must follow its own path and reforms that consider meta-governance, i.e., a pluralistic approach to governance of different david horan: compensation strategies to enact new governance frameworks for sdg transformations public sector economics 43 (4) 375-400 (2019) 377 governance styles, may be important as they are a way of dealing with context (UNCEPA, 2019; Meuleman, 2018;Meuleman and Niestroy, 2015;Niestroy, 2005).…”