The role of sustainability knowledge-action platforms in advancing multi-stakeholder engagement on sustainability
Within the last decade, online sustainability knowledge-action platforms have proliferated. We surveyed 198 sustainability-oriented sites and conducted a review of 41 knowledge-action platforms, which we define as digital tools that advance sustainability through organized activities and knowledge d...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Data & Policy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2632324923000275/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1797653493416198144 |
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| author | Oliver Bream McIntosh Amy Burnett Ira Feldman Jenna A. Lamphere Thomas A. Reuter Emmanuelle Vital |
| author_facet | Oliver Bream McIntosh Amy Burnett Ira Feldman Jenna A. Lamphere Thomas A. Reuter Emmanuelle Vital |
| author_sort | Oliver Bream McIntosh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Within the last decade, online sustainability knowledge-action platforms have proliferated. We surveyed 198 sustainability-oriented sites and conducted a review of 41 knowledge-action platforms, which we define as digital tools that advance sustainability through organized activities and knowledge dissemination. We analyzed platform structure and functionality through a systematic coding process based on key issues identified in three bodies of literature: (a) the emergence of digital platforms, (b) the localization of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), and (c) the importance of multi-level governance to sustainability action. While online collaborative tools offer an array of resources, our analysis indicates that they struggle to provide context-sensitivity and higher-level analysis of the trade-offs and synergies between sustainability actions. SDG localization adds another layer of complexity where multi-level governance, actor, and institutional priorities may generate tensions as well as opportunities for intra- and cross-sectoral alignment. On the basis of our analysis, we advocate for the development of integrative open-source and dynamic global online data management tools that would enable the monitoring of progress and facilitate peer-to-peer exchange of ideas and experience among local government, community, and business stakeholders. We argue that by showcasing and exemplifying local actions, an integrative platform that leverages existing content from multiple extant platforms through effective data interoperability can provide additional functionality and significantly empower local actors to accelerate local to global actions, while also complex system change. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T16:44:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-81220fada9d04dcf8ae7904cadf9eff4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2632-3249 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T16:44:24Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Data & Policy |
| spelling | doaj.art-81220fada9d04dcf8ae7904cadf9eff42023-10-23T05:40:56ZengCambridge University PressData & Policy2632-32492023-01-01510.1017/dap.2023.27The role of sustainability knowledge-action platforms in advancing multi-stakeholder engagement on sustainabilityOliver Bream McIntosh0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2244-4281Amy Burnett1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3706-6762Ira Feldman2https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7301-5519Jenna A. Lamphere3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8075-8430Thomas A. Reuter4https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9090-1544Emmanuelle Vital5https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2759-3964Social Systems Lab, Cape Town, South AfricaCentre for Environment and Sustainability, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK Research Fellow Sustainable & Inclusive Enterprise, Centre for Enterprise, Environment and Development Research (CEEDR), Middlesex University Business School, The Burroughs, Hendon, London. NW44BTSchool of Environment, Enterprise and Development, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, CanadaDepartment of Liberal Studies, Texas A&M University, Galveston, TX, USAAsia Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, AustraliaVital Resources, Steamboat Springs, CO, USAWithin the last decade, online sustainability knowledge-action platforms have proliferated. We surveyed 198 sustainability-oriented sites and conducted a review of 41 knowledge-action platforms, which we define as digital tools that advance sustainability through organized activities and knowledge dissemination. We analyzed platform structure and functionality through a systematic coding process based on key issues identified in three bodies of literature: (a) the emergence of digital platforms, (b) the localization of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), and (c) the importance of multi-level governance to sustainability action. While online collaborative tools offer an array of resources, our analysis indicates that they struggle to provide context-sensitivity and higher-level analysis of the trade-offs and synergies between sustainability actions. SDG localization adds another layer of complexity where multi-level governance, actor, and institutional priorities may generate tensions as well as opportunities for intra- and cross-sectoral alignment. On the basis of our analysis, we advocate for the development of integrative open-source and dynamic global online data management tools that would enable the monitoring of progress and facilitate peer-to-peer exchange of ideas and experience among local government, community, and business stakeholders. We argue that by showcasing and exemplifying local actions, an integrative platform that leverages existing content from multiple extant platforms through effective data interoperability can provide additional functionality and significantly empower local actors to accelerate local to global actions, while also complex system change.https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2632324923000275/type/journal_articledigital platformsinteroperabilitymulti-level governanceSDG localizationsustainabilitytranslocal |
| spellingShingle | Oliver Bream McIntosh Amy Burnett Ira Feldman Jenna A. Lamphere Thomas A. Reuter Emmanuelle Vital The role of sustainability knowledge-action platforms in advancing multi-stakeholder engagement on sustainability Data & Policy digital platforms interoperability multi-level governance SDG localization sustainability translocal |
| title | The role of sustainability knowledge-action platforms in advancing multi-stakeholder engagement on sustainability |
| title_full | The role of sustainability knowledge-action platforms in advancing multi-stakeholder engagement on sustainability |
| title_fullStr | The role of sustainability knowledge-action platforms in advancing multi-stakeholder engagement on sustainability |
| title_full_unstemmed | The role of sustainability knowledge-action platforms in advancing multi-stakeholder engagement on sustainability |
| title_short | The role of sustainability knowledge-action platforms in advancing multi-stakeholder engagement on sustainability |
| title_sort | role of sustainability knowledge action platforms in advancing multi stakeholder engagement on sustainability |
| topic | digital platforms interoperability multi-level governance SDG localization sustainability translocal |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2632324923000275/type/journal_article |
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