Stakeholder perceptions and intentions for action on sustainability futures

Abstract

Futures discourses that are structured as participatory and inclusive, aim to incorporate the perspectives and views of diverse stakeholders. This adds rigour to a decision-making process, particularly when addressing complex or wicked problems and challenges such as those linked to sustainable development and the pursuit of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). In this context, the possibility space is characterised by different normative understandings and value systems, which also suggests an element of stakeholder agency, and the role played by stakeholders in shaping futures and their outcomes. This study addresses an under-researched topic of how different framings and representations of futures influence intention for action. It answers a call for greater reflexivity in the futures field to build an awareness of how “one’s own perspective, assumptions, beliefs, values, and political motives” (Rutting et al., 2022) influence future anticipation and pathways for action. Drawing from the literature on futures and stakeholder participation, this research in progress explores how stakeholder perceptions of the future influence action for sustainable development and achieving the SDGs. The study is based on the results of a qualitative survey among international scientists and researchers from different academic and cultural backgrounds that asked respondents how they perceive sustainability futures and their contribution to act towards achieving SDG 14 “Life Below Water”. Those respondents who view the future as predictable, stated that their principal contribution to achieving a sustainable future is through research and knowledge generation, and advocating for policy change. This somewhat aligns with the traditional role of science. Respondents with a broader perspective on sustainability futures, by describing these as highly uncertain and socially constructed, recognized a wider variety of roles beyond the traditional research and scientific contributions. For example, these included community outreach and raising awareness about mitigating the impacts of climate change or to integrating ethical and responsible impacts of sustainability in teaching and research. The findings indicate that scientists could play a more active role in shaping and co-creating sustainability futures through enhanced communication and collaboration across disciplines and sectors. The research contributes to better aligning reflexivity and stakeholder agency when contemplating possibility spaces in multi-stakeholder contexts.