Amani Bathily
 Beyond Lab

When we talk about sustainability, it is often framed as the goal, the endpoint of our efforts to build systems that last. But longevity alone is not enough. A truly sustainable world is not just one that endures, but one that is desirable. The question we should be asking is not just how to sustain our systems, but whether they reflect what is truly needed, valued, and wanted by both people and the planet. ​

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This distinction is critical. Too often, sustainability is approached as a one-size-fits-all solution, assuming that a single model can serve the needs of all. However, people and ecosystems are diverse, complex, and constantly evolving. True sustainability embraces this complexity, moving beyond rigid frameworks and instead fostering coexistence among different needs, perspectives, and ways of living. ​

Moving Beyond Trade-Offs 

For too long, development and environmental efforts have been structured around trade-offs, where one priority is sacrificed for another. Economic growth is often achieved at the cost of environmental degradation. Conservation efforts sometimes overlook the needs of local communities. Policy decisions tend to pit short-term benefits against long-term stability. 

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But what if sustainability were about more than just balancing competing interests? What if it were about designing systems where multiple needs can be met simultaneously, without forcing a zero-sum game? This shift, from trade-offs to coexistence, requires rethinking how we structure our economies, policies, and social systems. It challenges us to move beyond "either/or" thinking and explore solutions that allow both people and nature to thrive together. ​

Learning from Nature: Permaculture as a Model 

One inspiring model to envision this shift is through the principles of permaculture. In permaculture, every element of a system, plants, insects, and even what might initially be considered weeds or pests, plays a role. Instead of eliminating elements that seem inconvenient, permaculture seeks to integrate them, designing landscapes that allow for mutual benefit with minimal conflict. The result is a resilient, self-sustaining system where diversity strengthens the whole. 

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This principle offers a good metaphor for how sustainability should function on a larger scale. Rather than forcing uniformity or eradicating elements that do not fit a narrow definition of progress, we should seek ways to integrate diverse perspectives, cultures, and ecosystems into a shared vision for the future. The goal is not to impose a rigid model, but to create adaptable, inclusive systems that recognize and respect multiple forms of knowledge and experience.

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Multilateralism as a Practice of Coexistence 

This concept of coexistence is also central to international relations. At its best, multilateralism is about finding ways for different nations, communities, and stakeholders to work together in finding common solutions, despite differences. Just as a thriving ecosystem requires balance and integration, global cooperation should aim to build partnerships that respect diversity while fostering collective well-being. 

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Too often, multilateral systems still operate under assumptions of dominance, zero-sum approaches, negotiation, and compromise rather than true collaboration. If we want a world where sustainability is not just about survival but about thriving, we must apply the same principles of coexistence to diplomacy, governance, and decision-making processes. This means shifting from models based on hierarchical control and competition to ones rooted in mutual benefit and shared responsibility. I’ll say it louder for those at the back: “SHARED RESPONSIBILITY”! 

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How Do We Get There?

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Achieving this vision requires a fundamental shift in how we think, design, and act. Some key steps include:​

Redefining Success:

Moving away from economic growth as the primary measure of progress and toward metrics and values that prioritize our full human spectrum of needs, well-being, equity, and the tranquil balance of nature.​

Designing for Inclusion:

Ensuring that policies, economies and technologies, as well as philosophies, cultures, human rights, are not siloed but rather work in synergy or in coexistence, minimizing harm and maximizing a stronger positive impact.​

Empowering Local & Indigenous Knowledge:
Recognizing that the most effective solutions often come from those directly impacted by challenges.
 

Fostering Collaboration:
Encouraging cooperation between disciplines, generations, and cultures to develop creative, adaptable solutions.

Embracing Complexity:

Accepting that there is no single, universal model for sustainability, but rather a diverse set of approaches that must be woven together.
 

If we wish sustainability to be, we must accept the reality that true resilience comes from coexistence. It is time to move beyond trade-offs and start designing a world where people and nature can support each other.