Knowledge Co-production

A collaborative research approach to addressing sustainability’s wicked problems

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Sustainability challenges are inherently complex, as they intersect in physical, biological, and social dimensions. Solutions proposed by scholars, researchers, and policymakers often face real-world constraints, making it difficult to implement risk-free resolutions. Via this article, Sagarmoy Phukan, Dr Amit Kumar Jaglan, and Prof. Shaleen Singhal offer how innovative approach can help us to overcome such constraints. This approach assists in overcoming the limitations of linear models, where researchers and policymakers operate within defined boundaries.

Around two decades ago, we examined how key environmental concerns were likely to unfold for India. Projections were made and strategies were recommended to address air pollution, water pollution, solid waste management, and land degradation-related challenges for articulating the alternative scenario (Pachauri, Singhal, and Kandra 2004) for ‘India 2025’. This led to a call for improvement across dimensions such as improved environmental governance and effective corporate environmental responsibility. Though these dimensions drew attention back then, today they still pose complexity and urgency to deal with and might remain so beyond 2025!