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From Global Goals and Planetary Boundaries to Public Governance—A Framework for Prioritizing Organizational Sustainability Activities

Author

Listed:
  • Helena Ranängen

    (Department of Business Administration and Industrial Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 971 87 Luleå, Sweden)

  • Mathias Cöster

    (Department of Business Studies, Uppsala University, 751 05 Uppsala, Sweden)

  • Raine Isaksson

    (Department of Engineering Sciences, Quality Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 05 Uppsala, Sweden)

  • Rickard Garvare

    (Department of Business Administration and Industrial Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 971 87 Luleå, Sweden)

Abstract

Background: A particular challenge in the work to realize the global goals for sustainable development is to find ways for organizations to identify and prioritize organizational activities that address these goals. There are also several sustainability initiatives, guidelines and tools to consider when planning, working with and reporting on sustainable development. Although progress has been made, little has been written about how organizations rise to and manage the challenge. The paper explores how organizations address sustainable development, which sustainability aspects they prioritize and whether previous research can improve the priority process by using materiality analysis approach. Methods: A case study approach was chosen. Data was collected by interactive workshops and documentation. The participating organizations were two Swedish municipalities; Results: The municipalities have introduced a number of sustainability aspects into their organizational governance, especially in terms of society, human rights and the environment. A materiality analysis was conducted to determine the relevance and significance of sustainability aspects. The result shows that climate action, biodiversity and freshwater use are aspects that should be prioritized; Conclusion: The materiality analysis methodology chosen for prioritizing of sustainability aspects was useful and easy to work with. However, the sustainability aspect matrix and the risk assessment have to be updated regularly in order to form an effective base for the materiality analysis.

Suggested Citation

  • Helena Ranängen & Mathias Cöster & Raine Isaksson & Rickard Garvare, 2018. "From Global Goals and Planetary Boundaries to Public Governance—A Framework for Prioritizing Organizational Sustainability Activities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-26, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:8:p:2741-:d:161760
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Thaís Vieira Nunhes & Merce Bernardo & Otávio José de Oliveira, 2020. "Rethinking the Way of Doing Business: A Reframe of Management Structures for Developing Corporate Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-32, February.
    4. Miguel Soberón & Teresa Sánchez-Chaparro & Julia Urquijo & David Pereira, 2020. "Introducing an Organizational Perspective in SDG Implementation in the Public Sector in Spain: The Case of the Former Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-20, November.
    5. Björn Mestdagh & Olivier Sempiga & Luc Van Liedekerke, 2023. "The Impact of External Shocks on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Linking the COVID-19 Pandemic to SDG Implementation at the Local Government Level," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-18, April.
    6. Suárez-Eiroa, Brais & Fernández, Emilio & Soto-Oñate, David & Ovejero-Campos, Aida & Urbieta, Pablo & Méndez, Gonzalo, 2022. "A framework to allocate responsibilities of the global environmental concerns: A case study in Spain involving regions, municipalities, productive sectors, industrial parks, and companies," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    7. Natacha Klein & Tomás B. Ramos & Pauline Deutz, 2022. "Advancing the Circular Economy in Public Sector Organisations: Employees’ Perspectives on Practices," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    8. Simona Cosma & Andrea Venturelli & Paola Schwizer & Vittorio Boscia, 2020. "Sustainable Development and European Banks: A Non-Financial Disclosure Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-19, July.

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