Critical dynamics of the pillars of sustainability: From exploitive to just aims for transition

There are multiple critical facets to consider when conceptualizing just transition. On one hand, there are ontological and temporal considerations, such as the starting point to the transition, the aim of the transition, and the socio-cultural/political climate wherein the transition occurs. On the other hand, there are the epistemological and structural layers of the matrix, such as the tensions between the pillars of sustainability, and the sectors in which different processes are enacted. There are myriad combinations of these onto-epistemological factors,
which contributes to the complications in solving the wicked problems of just transition.

In addition to the factors listed above, there is also the question of where the perceived problem originates and the ultimate target of the transition. For example, just transition, of a problem that occurs under what is widely considered to be “nature” has a very different course than transitions wherein the problem roots in what is interpreted as “economy.” As mentioned, this complication is deepened when one takes into consideration the overarching socio-political climate wherein these transitions occur. That is, different structures allow for different materials and methods to be utilized in enacting the transition. In a very broad categorization of socio-political climates an “allowing” climate will have a
different trajectory for what constitutes a just transition than a “restrictive.”

Through this paper, partially theoretical and partially methodological, we aim to develop and justify a methodological tool to help understand underlying sustainability worldviews and ultimately offer guidance in reconstructing sustainability as a thought and how it is enacted in practice. This tool is intended to be used in a group workshop setting as part of the broader program or as a free-standing activity. In addition, it could be utilized as a tool for qualitative interviews, or even surveys. It is useful for establishing a base-level insight into the existing worldviews concerning sustainability and their conceptualization of the latent structures. This information is often hidden and difficult to access, as
sometimes there is no explicit awareness to the underlying assumptions about sustainability. Having a better understanding of these underlying assumptions aids in the development of just transitions, as it provides insights to these unarticulated assumptions. Having further insight allows these assumptions to be corrected by making the dynamics more explicit between the dimensions of sustainability, and the transition paths towards sustainability.