The positive power of sustainability
John Dagevos (Telos)
Bologna, 20h of June 2007
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Contents of the presentation
Sustainable development in a historical perspective
Broadening the perspective on sustainable development
The Telos approach
The importance of interaction: stakeholder input
Sustainability is not a static concept
There is no sustainable development without friction
Unorthodox versus compartmentalisation
The evaluation of the GROW programme using the Telos model
Broadening the perspective on sustainable development
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Sustainable development in a historical perspective
Many definitions, a disputed concept
Sustainable development has been an important issue through the history
of mankind
Distinction between a narrow (fysiocentric) and a broad perspective
(anthropocentric) approach:
- anthropocentric: the human needs are the starting point. The
protection and the preservation of the environment is considered as a
necessary contribution to human welfare
- fysiocentric: the protection and preservation of the environment
is the starting point without considering human needs
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Meadows “Limits of growth” offers as well:
A warning: the limits
A ‘way out’: a development perspective
Ecological modernisation: a development-oriented approach in which the
ecologisation of the economy goes hand in hand with the economisation
of the ecology
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The phases of modernisation
economic modernisation19th CT
socio-cultural modernisation20th CT
ecological modernisation21st CT
SD concerns third more inclusive and self-reflexive phase
of modernisation
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Broadening the perspective on sustainable development
Brundtland (1987) broadens the perspective
Sustainable development demands balance at at least three levels:
Between the ecological (planet), the social-cultural (people) and the economic (profit) development
In time: intergenerational solidarity
In space: spatial solidarity
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The Telos approach
Follows Brundtland’s broad perspective
Sustainable development is a development process aimed at
balanced growth:
The resilience and quality of nature (ecological capital or Planet)
The physical and spiritual health of people (socio-cultural capital or People)
Healthy economic development (economic capital or Profit)
All capitals are of equal importance: therefore we use an equilateral
triangle as a trademark
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A model consisting of capitals, stocks, requirements, indicators and norms
The Telos triangleEcological capital
Socio-cultural capital Economic capital
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Ecological capital
Socio-cultural capital Economic capital
Coincidence?
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Stocks
Ecological capital
Nature
Soil
Groundwater
Surface Water
Air
Landscape
Minerals
Socio-cultural capital
Citizenship
Solidarity
Security
Housing & Living Cond.
Health
Education
Identity & Diversity
Art and Cultural heritage
Economic capital
Labour
Capital Goods
Spatial conditions
Economic Structure
Knowledge
Raw materials
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Capital Stock Indicator
stock
stock
stock
indicator
capital
indicator
indicator
Requirements
Theory
ecological air clean air % fine dust
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Requirements: based on interaction with society
indicate the long term goals
show what is relevant
are based on scientific research and policy documents
reflect the ideas of the stakeholders and citizens and are based on
exhaustive discussions with society via interviews, meetings,
citizen panels etc.
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Some ingredients for sustainable thinking
Sustainability is not a static concept.
Renewal and adaptation is constantly needed
Constant interaction is needed between governmental authorities at different levels, business community, non governmental organisations and social movements
No sustainable development without friction;
Between different interests
Between old and new thinking (fixed rules, routines, within the strict sectoral and spatial boundaries, narrowly defined administrative frameworks)
It needs integral thinking
It asks for enthusiasm, creativity, unorthodox solutions, positive thinking
The role of culture and creativity as a driving force
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The evaluation of the GROW programme using the Telos modelsome conclusions
GROW as a whole has the strongest focus on the profit pillar, people and
certainly planet issues are of less relevance. Therefore the programme is not
totally in balance
GROW is first and above all a knowledge focussed programme: development of
new knowledge, learning of experiences elsewhere, transfer of knowledge etc.
Some sustainability issues hardly play a role or are considered to be relevant
(safety, identity and diversity, spatial conditions, most planet issues)
Effects of the activities are expected to work out in a positive way, directly and
indirectly. There are hardly any negative effects or trade offs between the pillars
to be expected
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The Telos Triangle for GROW
0,00
1,00
2,00
3,00
4,00
5,00
Planet
ProfitPeople
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The results for the GROW programme(relevance)
Planet
0,00
1,00
2,00
3,00
4,00
5,00
Nature
Soil
Air
Surface WaterGroundwater
Minerals
Landscape
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Profit
0,00
1,00
2,00
3,00
4,00
5,00
Labour
Capital (goods)
Knowledge
Spatial location conditions
Economic structure
Raw and auxiliary materials
People
0,00
1,00
2,00
3,00
4,00
5,00
Solidarity
Citizenship
Health
Education
Living conditions
Safety
Identity and diversity
Art and cultural heritage
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Top six of most relevant sustainability issues in the Grow programme
Rank Stock
1 Knowledge
2 Capital Goods
3 Labour
4 Economic Structure
5 Solidarity
6 Auxiliary and raw
materials
6 Education
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Expected direct and indirect effectsfor the GROW programme as a whole
Hardly any negative effects
More indirect than direct effects
Profit and People pillar benefit the most, Planet pillar far less
Top six of most important effects
Knowledge
Labour
Capital goods
Economic structure, auxiliary and raw materials, education
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Overall conclusions (2)
There are clear differences between the three subprogrammes
- Green Growth is the most in balance
- Inclusive Growth: bi-pillar, focus on people and profit
- Business Growth: one pillar, almost exclusive focus on profit
issues
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The overall picture