How to Achieve Sustainable Development
Local Actions for Global Change
1st Edition
Published on 27. January 2026
368 pages
978-1-040-48768-6 (ISBN)
Description
Aimed at practitioners and students in environmental studies, development, economics and geography, this book systematically investigates how sustainable development can be achieved at the local and global level. Instead of problems, it focuses on practical solutions for the reader to take for themselves, in their community, and in their career.
Based on the latest scientific research, case studies, and voices from the Global North and South, How to Achieve Sustainable Development is divided into five key Parts. It reviews why business-as-usual is no longer an option; how to engage with governance, finance, and collective action; where transformation hotspots for achieving sustainable development exist; how local change happens in sustainable development; and finally, what happens next. Chapters take a deep dive into improved human capabilities, just economies, sustainable food and energy production, gender inequality and resilience. It moves beyond merely recognizing the challenges faced in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), instead focusing on real-world pathways to address these, beyond the 2030 timeline. Each solution is framed within this context and promotes taking complexity seriously, as opposed to ignoring it.
Alongside the book, appendix material provides guidance for personal action, and digital resources offer up-to-date opportunities for further engagement.
Based on the latest scientific research, case studies, and voices from the Global North and South, How to Achieve Sustainable Development is divided into five key Parts. It reviews why business-as-usual is no longer an option; how to engage with governance, finance, and collective action; where transformation hotspots for achieving sustainable development exist; how local change happens in sustainable development; and finally, what happens next. Chapters take a deep dive into improved human capabilities, just economies, sustainable food and energy production, gender inequality and resilience. It moves beyond merely recognizing the challenges faced in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), instead focusing on real-world pathways to address these, beyond the 2030 timeline. Each solution is framed within this context and promotes taking complexity seriously, as opposed to ignoring it.
Alongside the book, appendix material provides guidance for personal action, and digital resources offer up-to-date opportunities for further engagement.
Reviews / Votes
"Ledermann's How to Achieve Sustainable Development is a manual for change designed for students intent on thoughtfully fostering a better world. This inspiring text not only helps one comprehend our daunting global challenges, but offers well reasoned strategies for pursuing various forms of sustainability without sinking into jingoistic activism, token behavior or charity. With a rich array of illustrative case studies, from sustainable local food systems to just economies, this book is a very welcome addition to interdisciplinary sustainability studies."William G. Moseley, DeWitt Wallace Professor of Geography, Macalester College, President Association of American Geographers (2026), US
"In How to Achieve Sustainable Development, Professor Ledermann presents an inspiring vision for action that at once skillfully untangles the knots of interacting and complementary development priorities-these include, inter alia, climate, agriculture, energy, water, health, and poverty-- while offering useful entry points for changemakers, rooted in real world experience and scientific research. Valuable to both students and practitioners, this book reads refreshingly like a how-to manual, not a dry textbook."
Dr. Mesbah Motamed, Lead Economist, Millennium Challenge Corporation, US
"Prof. Ledermann's How to Achieve Sustainable Development offers a clear, cohesive narrative on sustainability's societal dimensions and the key changemakers. This essential textbook provides valuable insights and practical real-life experiences, benefiting students and concerned individuals alike."
Juha I. Uitto, PhD, Environmental Law Institute & Past-Director, Independent Evaluation Office, Global Environment Facility
"This book fills a critical gap in sustainability education, namely how to support and foster student engagement with transformative change. Arguing that "business as usual" is no longer an option, the book provides a compelling framework and numerous case examples that show how to advance sustainable development goals. This is an ideal text for courses in sustainability, particularly those that emphasize sustainable development in practice."
Dr. Robin Leichenko, Dean of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Distinguished Professor at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, US
"I whole heartedly endorse this groundbreaking textbook, which serves as an essential resource for anyone committed to fostering sustainable development in their community and across the globe. Let it be your companion in the quest for a viable future and in achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and beyond for transformative change."
Ambassador Liberata Mulamula, Member of Parliament, Tanzania, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tanzania and Ambassador to the UN and US, TZ
"The comprehensive overview about sustainable development laid out in this impressive book is informed by a wealth of research results, from natural and social sciences, as well as derived from development practice experience. It clearly shows that better governance and policy-making as well as our individual and collective actions are indispensable to keep the development process inside planetary boundaries."
Andreas Sicks, CEO Liechtenstein Development Services, LI
More details
Series
Edition
1. Auflage
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
25 Tables, black and white; 9 Line drawings, color; 32 Line drawings, black and white; 29 Halftones, color; 1 Halftones, black and white; 38 Illustrations, color; 33 Illustrations, black and white
File size
66,77 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-040-48768-6 (9781040487686)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
03/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
€52.50
Shipment within 10-20 days
Book
approx. 01/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
€215.41
Not yet published
Person
Samuel T. Ledermann is an Associate Professor of Practice in the International Development Studies program at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University, USA. He is an economic geographer with an extensive background in sustainable agricultural development in Africa.
Content
PART I Unsustainable Pasts
1.Introduction: silo breakers.
2."Business as usual is no longer an option".
PART II Changemakers
Part II Overview
3.Governance and policymaking.
4.Economy and finance.
5.Individual and collective action.
6.Science and technology.
PART III Transformation Hotspots
7.Sustainable, local food systems.
8.Just economies.
9.Human capabilities.
10.Inclusive urban-rural development.
11.Green energy access.
12.Regeneration of nature.
PART IV Change is Local
13.How change leads to transformation.
14.Focus I: gender inequality.
15.Focus II: resilience.
PART V Outlook beyond 2030
16.Where do we go from here?.
17.Your role in achieving sustainable development.
1.Introduction: silo breakers.
2."Business as usual is no longer an option".
PART II Changemakers
Part II Overview
3.Governance and policymaking.
4.Economy and finance.
5.Individual and collective action.
6.Science and technology.
PART III Transformation Hotspots
7.Sustainable, local food systems.
8.Just economies.
9.Human capabilities.
10.Inclusive urban-rural development.
11.Green energy access.
12.Regeneration of nature.
PART IV Change is Local
13.How change leads to transformation.
14.Focus I: gender inequality.
15.Focus II: resilience.
PART V Outlook beyond 2030
16.Where do we go from here?.
17.Your role in achieving sustainable development.
