Overview of recent publications in this research field

Visions and Roadmaps for Sustainable Development
in a Networked Knowledge Society

Report of a Workshop Co-chaired by the Presidents of the Brussels EU-Chapter of the Club of Rome and the “Factor 10 Institute”

“Where Are We Going? Where Do We Want To Be? How Do We Get There?”

The EU Member States agreed in June 2001 to a common strategy for sustainable development as an integral part of the EU strategy for transition to a knowledge economy; with sustainable development at the heart of integrated policies for growth, employment, social cohesion and the environment. In addition, the agreement in July 2001 on the Kyoto protocol for reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and the commitment of the EU Member States to ratify the protocol, now makes practical measures for resource-use reductions essential and urgent. However, sustainability is not a question of the environment alone. Social, cultural and economic sustainability are also at stake. Incremental and separate approaches have led to improvements, but major long-term progress toward sustainability can only be achieved in a systemic approach. However, too little is yet known about the systemic relationships between the different dimensions of sustainable development; about the dynamics of a service-oriented networked knowledge society and its relationship to sustainable development. A much larger and sustained research effort is needed to underpin policies for approaching sustainability with scientific data and information. To stimulate this research, and to help translate national and international commitments and policy objectives into reality requires that we have a description of where we want to be in 30 years - we need a “target scenario” or a “landing place”. We must then focus our attention on ways and means for getting there and the role of Europe in the process.

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