Sustainability – Oriented Research and the Need for Knowledge Co-Production

Science is one of the four levers (alongside governance, economy and finance, and individual and collective action) identified by the UN’s Sustainable Development Report that, together, could bring about achieving its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sustainability-oriented research networks aim to advance high-quality science relevant for understanding and sustaining the social and natural systems of Earth and identifying solutions to sustainability challenges confronting society.

Scientists are increasingly calling for a transformation of the science systems, with a move towards greater co-production (collaborative processes) of knowledge and action, in order to achieve a sustainable future. Also emphasised is the need for global research networks capable of providing better co-ordination, international and interdisciplinary collaboration, efficient use of resources and greater capacity to overcome complex challenges.