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

本研究旨在调查联合国可持续发展目标（UN SDGs）的发展，批判性地反思在可持续发展目标框架内占主导地位的新自由主义话语，并揭示环境政策和规划中可逆性概念的潜力。可逆性以汉斯·乔纳斯（hans Jonas）和汉娜·阿伦特（Hannah Arendt）的研究为基础，与已经存在的预防原则和根本不确定性概念联系在一起，这些概念在规划中以及与可持续发展目标相关的国际组织的政策语言中都有发现。简而言之，可逆性的政治概念被理解为面对不确定性时避免不可逆转后果的承诺。该研究将按家谱调查(a)三个可持续发展目标（9、11和13）的出现，以揭示主导话语、关键参与者及其主要兴趣和关注点；(b)在制定可持续发展目标时考虑到不可逆性的程度；(c)可逆性的政治概念化可能为政策规划带来的附加价值。在方法上，将采用三方面的方法：首先，将研究可持续发展目标谈判过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。其次，对可持续发展目标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确定。最后，40名参与谈判过程的精英半结构化访谈将被用来探讨是否考虑了不可逆性，如果没有，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.