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Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals in Times of Rising Right-Wing Populism in Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Sara Gottenhuber

    (Department of Thematic Studies—Environmental Change, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
    Centre for Climate Science and Policy Research, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden)

  • Eric Mulholland

    (Institute for Managing Sustainability, Vienna University of Economics and Business, Welthandelsplatz 1, 1020 Vienna, Austria
    ESDN Office, Institute for Managing Sustainability, 1020 Vienna, Austria)

Abstract

This article discusses two ostensibly antagonistic themes: right-wing populism (RWP) and the UN 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). European politics has seen a sharp increase in right-wing populist influence over the last few election periods. More recently, such political influence has led to questions about right-wing populism’s impact on environmental and sustainable development policy. This paper takes a novel approach to understanding the potential connections between the rise of RWP in Europe and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs in two ways. First, the paper is based on two workshops, informed by a preceding literature review on the topic of RWP in Europe, requested and organised by the European Sustainable Development Network (ESDN). Secondly, the results from the workshops are used to discuss and interpret the role of potentially differing worldviews (ontology, axiology, epistemology and societal vision) and how these relate to specific policy and governance responses, thereby impacting upon the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs in European countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Gottenhuber & Eric Mulholland, 2020. "Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals in Times of Rising Right-Wing Populism in Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:20:p:8465-:d:427864
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Annick Hedlund-de Witt, 2014. "Rethinking Sustainable Development: Considering How Different Worldviews Envision “Development” and “Quality of Life”," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(11), pages 1-19, November.
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    4. Allen, Cameron & Metternicht, Graciela & Wiedmann, Thomas, 2016. "National pathways to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): A comparative review of scenario modelling tools," Environmental Science & Policy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 199-207.
    5. Maarten Van Opstal & Jean Huge, 2013. "Knowledge for sustainable development: A worldviews perspective," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/184399, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    6. Christine Daigle & Liette Vasseur, 2019. "Is It Time to Shift Our Environmental Thinking? A Perspective on Barriers and Opportunities to Change," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-8, September.
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    8. Marschall, Paul & Klingebiel, Stephan, 2019. "Populism: consequences for global sustainable development," Briefing Papers 8/2019, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
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