"Sustainability" and "Reversibility": A Genealogical Investigation into the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

这项研究旨在调查联合国可持续发展目标(UN SDGs)的发展，批判性地反思SDG框架内主导的新自由主义话语，并揭示环境政策和规划中可逆性概念的潜力。可逆性是以汉斯·乔纳斯和汉娜·阿伦特的工作为基础的，它与规划中已经存在的预防原则和彻底不确定性的概念联系在一起，与国际组织关于可持续发展目标的政策语言联系在一起。简而言之，可逆性这一政治概念被理解为承诺在面对不确定性时避免不可逆转的后果。这项研究将从谱系上调查(A)三个可持续发展目标(9、11和13)的出现，以揭示主导话语、关键行为者及其主要利益和关切；(B)在制定可持续发展目标时考虑不可逆性的程度；以及(C)可逆性的政治概念化可能对政策规划产生的附加值。在方法上，将采用三种方法：首先，将研究可持续发展目标谈判进程的文件和会议记录的档案研究，以确定关键行为者和利益集团。其次，对可持续发展白皮书和政策文件的文本分析将揭示哪些话语主导了可持续发展目标的最终敲定。最后，参与谈判过程的40名参与者将接受精英半结构化访谈，以探讨是否考虑了不可逆转性，如果不是，为什么它被排除在外。

This research aims to investigate the development of the United NationsSustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), critically reflectingon the neoliberal discourses dominant within the SDG framework, anduncovering the potential for a concept of reversibility in environmentalpolicy and planning. Reversibility, which is grounded in the work ofHans Jonas and Hannah Arendt, connects with the already existingconcepts of the precautionary principle and radical uncertainty, foundwithin planning as with the policy language of international organisationsin relation to the SDGs. In short, the political concept of reversibilityis understood as the commitment to avoid irreversible consequencesin the face of uncertainty. The research will genealogically investigate(a) the emergence of three SDGs (9, 11, and 13), to uncoverthe dominant discourses, key actors, and their main interests and concerns;(b) the extent to which irreversibility was taken into account inthe development of the SDGs; and (c) the added value that a politicalconceptualisation of reversibility could have for policy planning. Methodologically,a threefold approach will be applied: firstly, archival researchof documents and meeting notes of the negotiation process ofthe SDGs will be studied to identify key actors and interests. Secondly,a textual analysis of SDG white papers and policy documents will uncoverwhich discourses have dominated the finalisation of the SDGs.Finally, elite semi-structured interviews of 40 participants involved inthe negotiation process will be used to explore whether irreversibilitywas considered, and if not, why it was excluded.