A system leverage points approach to governance for sustainable development

Abstract Governments are inherently responsible for citizens' well-being. Given that achieving sustainable development ["Development meets the needs of present without compromising ability future generations to meet their own needs"—(WCED in Our common future, Oxford University Press, New York, 1987)] is core attainment and maintenance well-being, increasingly understood require major transformations integrated social, technological ecological systems (Sachs et al. The decade action goals: report 2021, Cambridge, 2021), it follows governments have a significant role shaping transformations. Muted progress on long-standing environmental, economic challenges alongside spiralling public budgets intergenerational debt suggests, however, governance inadequate facilitate urgently required. Conceptualising practice decision-making as complex system, this paper investigates whether known influences decision-makers can be linked Meadows’ (Leverage points: places intervene Sustainability Institute, North Charleston, 1999) leverage point framework. Finding meaningful connections, further explores how framework employed engage enablers desirable outcomes. It contended shifting decision-makers’ focus one step beyond currently prevalent points will set motion required development.