Research article2015Peer reviewed
Cautious Utopias: Environmental Goal-Setting with Long Time-Frames
Baard, Patrik; Edvardsson Björnberg, Karin
Abstract
Sustainable development is a common goal in the public sector but may be difficult to implement due to epistemic uncertainties and the long time frames required. This paper proposes that some of these problems can be solved by formulating cautious utopias, entailing a relationship between means and goals differing from both utopian and realistic goal-setting. Cautiously utopian goals are believed, but not certain, to be achievable and to remain desirable, but are open to future adjustments due to changing desires and/or factual circumstances. Quality criteria for such goals are suggested.
Published in
Ethics, Policy and Environment
2015, Volume: 18, number: 2, pages: 188 - 202
UKÄ Subject classification
Ethics
Publication identifier
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/21550085.2015.1070487
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/87288