Introduction

The incremental governance approaches that have been implemented during the last decades seem insufficient to respond effectively to the “super-wicked” and intertwined challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, resource depletion, and social injustices and inequalities. This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book presents interdisciplinary scientific knowledge about ecological challenges and critically assess some major political initiatives within the context of the UN and the EU. It also presents a critical overview of different paradigms regarding ecological and socioecological drivers and sustainable solutions. The book discusses whether political goals are sufficiently precise and comprehensive in their scope to respond adequately to the challenges; whether adopted measures and types of intervention are sufficiently effective to achieve the stated objectives; and whether the implementation of policies and other levers of change may succeed in fulfilling political intentions.