Question 1

Sustainability value implies that&#8230;&#10;A) Economic, social, or environmental value should be increased or maintained relative to a business-as-usual scenario&#10;B) Economic, social, and environmental value should be increased or maintained relative to a business-as-usual scenario&#10;C) Economic, social, and environmental value should be decreased relative to a business-as-usual scenario&#10;D) Social and environmental value should be increased or maintained relative to a business-as-usual scenario

Accepted Answer

Sustainability value encompasses all three pillars of sustainability - economic, social, and environmental. Therefore, it is important to increase or maintain value in all three areas, rather than just one or two.

Question 2

The ultimate goal of sustainability professionals is to&#8230;&#10;A) Destroy the regime to eliminate the use of non-renewable resources once and for all&#10;B) Unlock the regime and allow institutions and infrastructure to change along a weak sustainable pathway that leads to an environmental state&#10;C) Unlock the regime and allow institutions and infrastructure to change along a strong sustainable pathway that leads to an environmental state&#10;D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

The ultimate goal of sustainability professionals is to unlock the existing regime and allow institutions and infrastructure to change along a strong sustainable pathway that leads to an environmental state. This means transitioning to systems and practices that are not only environmentally sound, but also socially and economically sustainable in the long term. Destruction of the existing regime or a weak approach to sustainability would not achieve the necessary transformation needed for long-term sustainability.

Question 3

Which of the following competencies are used to design integrated metrics to link each level of the solutions-oriented sustainability transitions framework?&#10;A) Strategic&#10;B) Normative&#10;C) Visionary&#10;D) A and B

Accepted Answer

Strategic and Normative competencies are essential for designing integrated metrics that can effectively link each level of a solutions-oriented sustainability transitions framework. Strategic competencies involve the ability to develop, implement, and adapt strategies that guide actions towards sustainability goals. Normative competencies include understanding and applying principles, values, and standards that underpin sustainability, which are crucial for setting the direction and criteria for sustainability transitions. Visionary competencies, while important for imagining future states, are not directly related to the design of integrated metrics.

Question 4

Integrating a panarchy with the MLP sustainability transitions framework allows sustainability professionals to view sustainability as:&#10;A) An initiative that is static in nature and has little flexibility&#10;B) An ongoing and continuous process&#10;C) A process that, once achieved, not longer needs to be addressed or improved upon&#10;D) A very fast-moving process that takes little time to successfully implement

Accepted Answer

Integrating a panarchy with the MLP sustainability transitions framework allows sustainability professionals to view sustainability as an ongoing and continuous process, with the ability to adapt and change over time. The panarchy framework emphasizes the importance of understanding complex, interconnected systems, and the MLP framework provides a practical approach for transitioning to more sustainable futures. Together, they offer a comprehensive and dynamic perspective on sustainability. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not align with a dynamic, ongoing process of sustainability.

Question 5

Overcoming bottlenecks to sustainability can be accomplished with the help of what?&#10;A) Acceleration points&#10;B) Sustainability-oriented metrics&#10;C) Seedbeds&#10;D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

All of the above options can help in overcoming bottlenecks to sustainability. Acceleration points can help identify areas where significant progress can be made, sustainability-oriented metrics can help track progress and identify areas for improvement, and seedbeds can serve as a source of new ideas and innovation. Using all of these approaches together can help create a more sustainable future.

Question 6

Sustainability professionals do not exist in poor, developing countries

Accepted Answer

Sustainability professionals do exist in poor, developing countries, although they may be less common due to limited resources and infrastructure. It is important to engage and support local professionals in advancing sustainability goals in these contexts.

Question 7

There is a tremendous diversity among sustainability professionals including researchers, educators, scientists, economic developers and politicians

Accepted Answer

Sustainability professionals come from various fields and backgrounds, including but not limited to researchers, educators, scientists, economic developers, and politicians, leading to a diverse range of perspectives and expertise in the field of sustainability.

Question 8

Which of the following is not a characterization of effective leaders in the field of sustainability?&#10;A) An inclusive operator&#10;B) Ethically oriented&#10;C) A visionary thinker&#10;D) Financially dependent&#10;E) Results driven

Accepted Answer

Effective leaders in the field of sustainability are not financially dependent but rather financially independent and able to generate funding for sustainable initiatives. The other characteristics listed (inclusive operator, ethically oriented, visionary thinker, results driven) are all commonly associated with effective sustainability leaders.

Question 9

Which of the following is part of the mission of the International Society of Sustainability Professionals?&#10;A) Make sustainability standard practice through empowering professionals to advance sustainability in organizations and communities around the globe&#10;B) Improve the skills of sustainability practitioners through ISSP Sustainability Professional Certification, education, knowledge sharing, research, and professional credentials&#10;C) Both A and B&#10;D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Both A and B are part of the mission of the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP). The organization aims to empower professionals to advance sustainability in organizations and communities through making it a standard practice. They also improve the skills of sustainability practitioners through various means such as ISSP Sustainability Professional Certification, education, knowledge sharing, research, and professional credentials.

Question 10

There is no one single method or approach for encouraging sustainability transitions

Accepted Answer

Sustainability transitions are complex processes that vary depending on the context, challenges, and stakeholders involved. Therefore, there is no silver bullet or one-size-fits-all solution for promoting sustainability transitions. Rather, a combination of different approaches, tools, and stakeholders' involvement is necessary to drive sustainable change.

Deck 11: Conclusion