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Assessing coupling interactions in a safe and just operating space for regional sustainability

Author

Listed:
  • Dongni Han

    (Beijing Normal University)

  • Deyong Yu

    (Beijing Normal University
    Qinghai Normal University
    People’s Government of Qinghai Province and Beijing Normal University)

  • Jiangxiao Qiu

    (University of Florida)

Abstract

Human activities affect the Earth System with an unprecedented magnitude, causing undesirable irreversible degradation. The United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide an integrated global action plan for sustainable development. However, it remains a great challenge to develop actionable strategies to achieve regional sustainability within social-environmental constraints. Here we proposed a framework, integrating safe and just operating space (SJOS) with SDGs, to assess regional sustainability and interactions between environmental performance and human well-being across scales. Despite China has not fully achieved sustainable development from 2000 to 2018, most provinces have shown significant improvements. Our analyses further delineated four development patterns (i.e., coupled and developed, coupled and underdeveloped, uncoupled and underdeveloped, and coupled and underdeveloped), and developed targeted strategies and pathways for each pattern to transition towards sustainability. Our operationalizable framework is broadly applicable to other regions or nations to actualize sustainable development.

Suggested Citation

  • Dongni Han & Deyong Yu & Jiangxiao Qiu, 2023. "Assessing coupling interactions in a safe and just operating space for regional sustainability," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-37073-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37073-z
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    Cited by:

    1. Tiejun Dai & Yazhe Zhao, 2024. "Spatial-temporal Dynamics and Driving Forces of Provincial CO2 Emission Responsibilities in China from Multiple Perspectives," Advances in Management and Applied Economics, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 14(4), pages 1-7.
    2. Zhong, Honglin & Zhang, Xinyu & Shao, Xuan & Xiao, Jingyi & Tian, Peipei, 2024. "Dissecting household carbon and energy inequality: A decade's insight into regional disparities and urban-rural dynamics in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    3. Xiaole Wang & Feng Dong & Yajie Liu & Yangfan Li, 2024. "How does the internet affect regional sustainable development? Fresh evidence from China," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-17, December.

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