Integration versus prioritization in the Sustainable Development Goals: An argument to prioritize environmental sustainability and a just transition

Abstract

This paper explores a key implementation issue for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – whether to use integrated approaches or prioritize some goals. The scientific community generally recommends integrated approaches but has little clear guidance on concrete implementation. This paper reaches two main conclusions. First, environmental sustainability needs to be prioritized. This is the inescapable logic of Earth system boundaries and related concepts. Second, environmental sustainability measures need to be based on a just transition in order to secure political support for environmental prioritization; especially, they need to provide good jobs and decent work, and they need to appear concrete and feasible. These principles should inform SDG implementation and discussions on the post‐2030 sustainable development agenda. Many existing proposals for environmental solutions stop short of recommending their prioritization; they also acknowledge the need for both social sustainability and a just transition, but these elements are usually not very concrete, especially regarding job creation. Thus, making environmental sustainability measures more economically and socially sustainable also should be prioritized.