Πολιτική και βιωσιμότητα : ο ρόλος των διεθνών οργανισμών στη διαμόρφωση πολιτικών για τη βιώσιμη ανάπτυξη

Ματσάγγου, Μαρία

Politics and sustainability : the role of international organizations in shaping policies for sustainable development

Master Thesis

Author

Ματσάγγου, Μαρία

Date

2025-12

Abstract

This study examines the evolution and implementation of sustainable development as a central framework for global governance, focusing on the critical role of international organizations in advancing the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Starting from Brundtland’s 1987 definition, sustainable development integrates three interdependent pillars: economic prosperity, social equity, and environmental protection, aiming to meet present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own. The analysis traces the theoretical foundation and historical development of sustainable development, from the Rio Conference (1992) to the adoption of the SDGs (2015), highlighting the shift from rule-based governance to goal-oriented strategies. This transition emphasizes multi-stakeholder participation, cross-sectoral coherence, and adaptive governance mechanisms that bridge local, national, and international levels. Bridging organizations emerge as essential intermediaries, facilitating collaboration among governments, businesses, civil society, and scientific communities. International organizations, particularly the World Bank and United Nations agencies, play pivotal roles through financing sustainable infrastructure, promoting renewable energy, supporting climate resilience, and fostering international cooperation. The study critically evaluates global progress toward the SDGs, revealing that only 35% of targets are on track for 2030 achievement, with 48% progressing slowly and 18% regressing below 2015 baselines. Persistent challenges include extreme poverty (808 million people), food insecurity (2.3 billion), climate crisis escalation, biodiversity loss, and widening inequalities. The European Union exemplifies regional leadership, maintaining the highest global SDG performance through institutional frameworks like the European Green Deal, which targets climate neutrality by 2050. However, progress has decelerated, particularly in environmental dimensions (water quality, marine life, terrestrial ecosystems) and social cohesion indicators. The EU's internal inequalities and negative international spillover effects through unsustainable consumption patterns underscore the need for systemic transformation. The study concludes that achieving the 2030 Agenda requires urgent political will, reformed international financial architecture, scaled investments (€800 billion annually for Europe alone), strengthened multilateral cooperation, and deeper integration of sustainability principles across all policy domains. The final five years represent a critical juncture for transforming commitments into tangible actions that ensure prosperity, justice, and planetary health for current and future generations.

Postgraduate Studies Programme

Βιοοικονομία, Κυκλική Οικονομία και Βιώσιμη Ανάπτυξη

Department

Σχολή Οικονομικών, Επιχειρηματικών και Διεθνών Σπουδών. Τμήμα Οικονομικής Επιστήμης

Number of pages

Language

Greek

URI

https://dione.lib.unipi.gr/xmlui/handle/unipi/19141

Collections

Τμήμα Οικονομικής Επιστήμης

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Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as
Αναφορά Δημιουργού-Μη Εμπορική Χρήση-Όχι Παράγωγα Έργα 3.0 Ελλάδα