This comprehensive report explores the efforts of the Monash Sustainable Development Institute (MSDI)’s approach to supporting sustainability transitions through systems and behaviour change. It reflects on how MSDI initiatives contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Drawing on 21 case studies, the report introduces the types of systems targeted, the strategies used to influence change, and the enabling capabilities that support successful transitions.
It highlights key activities such as knowledge synthesis, stakeholder collaboration, futures and backcasting exercises, experimentation and behavioural interventions, and long-term capability building.
The report also examines different degrees of change, from system optimisation to deeper structural transformation, and reflects on how impacts emerge through incremental ‘small wins’, partnerships and institutional shifts.
By synthesising lessons across initiatives, the report proposes ten core capabilities that characterise the MSDI transitions approach, including horizon scanning, system understanding, partnership building, empowering change agents, experimentation, adaptive learning and embedding change into policy and institutions.
Citation
Kaufman, S. and Raven, R. (2025). Contours of an MSDI transitions approach to achieving the SDGs. Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University. Available at: https://tipresourcelab.net/resource/contours-of-an-msdi-transitions-approach-to-achieving-the-sdgs/
