Challenges

The 17 sustainable development goals advocated by the United Nations have played a big role in focusing the minds of policy makers in terms of sustainability issues and have also highlighted the issue of social inclusion and the need to make society more equitable. As well as referencing the sustainable development goals, attention is given to the planetary health concept as it is known to deepen our understanding of the ecological interdependence brought about by cultural, environmental and socio-economic factors, which have relevance in terms of mankind achieving the sustainable development goals. This paper addresses the following question: How can a framework to foster global partnerships leading to sustainable development be underpinned by a philosophical argument that strengthens the case for social inclusion? Consequently, a wide body of literature is reviewed, with key concepts such as collaboration being placed in context and reinforced through stakeholder theory. A philosophical discussion is entered into embracing Moore’s open question argument regarding the reliance on Intuitionism to explain how actions can be coined as immoral or moral. Such arguments are useful for raising moral issues that often end in moral disagreements, and which raise and help solve ethical problems. To effectively deal with the complexity involved, policy makers should support the use of frameworks that can be used to support and encourage social inclusion. In adopting this viewpoint, we put forward a sustainable partnership framework that provides guidance to policy makers and their advisors in terms of tackling the issue of social inclusion. In order to achieve social inclusion, policy makers need to understand the role that symbolic representation plays and how the influence of major influencers generates collaborative knowledge that is reappraised through philosophical argument. The outcome of the philosophical argument is a change in a nation’s cultural value system and the implementation of social inclusion policy.

Air quality is a key priority in environmental policy agendas worldwide, yet rapid urban growth in developing countries disproportionately affects urban air quality. In sub-Saharan Africa, the spatial and temporal dynamics of key pollutants remain underexplored. This knowledge gap limits the ability to understand how pollution hotspots emerge, how they shift over time, and how they interact with the broader planetary processes such as climate change. This study analysed the spatial distribution of ozone (O₃) and carbon monoxide (CO) hotspots in Diepkloof and Klieprivier townships, Johannesburg, South Africa, using data from 2019 to 2023 obtained from air quality monitoring stations. Spatial patterns were mapped using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation in a Geographic Information System (GIS), and meteorological influences were assessed through multiple linear regression. Results showed distinct spatial trends: Diepkloof experienced a decrease in O₃ from 23 ppb to 16 ppb, whereas Klieprivier remained stable but exhibited marked seasonal variation, peaking at 30 ppb in spring. Wind speed, wind direction, and humidity were significant predictors (p < 0.05) of both CO and O₃. In Klieprivier, meteorological factors explained 54.2% of O₃ variability, with temperature being the strongest predictor. These findings provide valuable insight into pollutant behaviour in urban townships and highlight the importance of integrating spatial analysis with meteorological modelling for targeted air quality management.

The United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda has been derailed by various events (e.g., COVID-19, economic crises, democratic backsliding, economic illiberalism, decreasing regard for human rights, and war). These events have diverted attention from the Agenda, and consumed precious limited financial resources that could be used to advance the SDGs. With only five years remaining, this initiative is at serious risk of not achieving its desired objectives and impact. Internal contradictions between the goals, challenges to the funding mechanism, and power imbalances within a country, regionally, and globally need to be addressed. This paper will examine the myriad challenges that countries face in trying to implement the Agenda post COVID-19, including those linked to the actions of developed countries, and explore how important changes to the Agenda could be undertaken all while helping to protect a country’s own policy space.