Everything everywhere all at once”: a methodological framework for an inclusive ecological transition pathway

Vidal, Diogo Guedes; Freitas, Helena; Alves, Fátima

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.2/20192

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Everything Everywhere All at Once.pdf	Capítulo de livro Vidal, D. G., Freitas, H., & Alves, F. (2025). Everything Everywhere All at Once”: A Methodological Framework for an Inclusive Ecological Transition Pathway. Em W. L. Filho, J. Newman, A. Lange Salvia, L. Viera Trevisan, & L. Corazza (Eds.), North American and European Perspectives on Sustainability in Higher Education (pp. 335–357). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-80434-2_20	763.97 KB	Adobe PDF	Download

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Authors

Vidal, Diogo Guedes

Freitas, Helena

Alves, Fátima

Abstract(s)

The narrative of an ecological transition is currently widespread, representing a significant challenge facing humanity. While the need for this transition is evident, our research proposal is centered around a fundamental question: How can we ensure that the ecological transition is not only environmentally responsible but also equitable and inclusive, considering the unique characteristics of various contexts to ensure that no one, whether human or non-human, is left behind in the process? Leveraging our expertise gained from the PHOENIX H2020 project, this study aims to introduce, discuss, and reflect upon a methodological framework designed to identify the biophysical, socio-cultural, economic, and legal aspects of a given territory. This comprehensive approach is intended to foster an equitable and inclusive transition. The research encompasses 11 pilot contexts across seven European countries and employs a mix of secondary and primary data sources. The application of the methodological proposal unfolds in 4 four main/distinct phases: (i) identification of the major socioenvironmental concerns and challenges related to the EGD transition pathway in each pilot territory according to stakeholder’s information; (ii) structures-level analysis to understand how Nature and Environment are represented within a country’s legal framework and to identify the biophysical characteristics of the territory, both acting as drivers or barriers to the ecological transition; (iii) agency/intersubjectivity analysis to analyse the social perceptions about Nature and the Environment of a diverse range of target groups, such as local authorities, civil society organizations, the scientific community, economic activity representatives, and citizens; (iv) cross-referencing the three previous information phases to identify the opportunities, risks and vulnerabilities for the ecological transition in each pilot. Through a thorough exploration of this methodological framework, and by addressing the challenges and potentials it presents, our goal is to provide a robust scheme that places value on the unique socio-cultural and biophysical characteristics of each context. By doing so, we aim to develop and propose a methodological framework that embrace a wide range of stakeholders, fostering an ecological transition that challenges the one-size-fits-all approach that has been traditionally employed, valuing the socio-cultural and biophysical specificities of each of the contexts in order to find participation tools that leave no one behind (humans and non-humans).