Supporting science-based decision-making for a sustainable future

Abstract

As PLOS Sustainability and Transformation turns one, we reflect on the importance of our mission at a crucial time for sustainability research, where openly available findings and the inclusion of diverse voices has never been more necessary to shape alternative futures. We have a busy second year ahead, as we continue to build a connected community and strive to put leading research in the hands of those able to enact real societal and environmental change.2022 was an important year for sustainability for many reasons, perhaps most notably because, with the end of 2022, we approach the halfway point for the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) deadline [1]. Now just seven years from 2030, the magnitude of environmental, cultural, political and economic transformations required to bring global communities closer to meeting these goals is brought into stark focus. Ongoing pressures from climate change, global conflicts and economic disruption threaten progress towards the SDGs. These challenges were also the focus of discussion during the 27 th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27) and United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) last year. Our ability to reach these goals will be underpinned by the collaborations of researchers, practitioners and policymakers as the research landscape flexes to bring these communities together. The 2022 SDG report highlighted three urgent priorities as 'a roadmap out of crisis', all of which will require multifaceted efforts based on strong research to address; (1) ending ongoing conflicts to create a stable state for sustainable development, (2) implementing development pathways that combine clean energy transitions with resilient food systems and thriving economies, and (3) transformations of global economies for equitable recovery for all [2].Amid these pressing challenges, PLOS Sustainability and Transformation outlined its mission to support decision making for a more sustainable future by publishing catalytic research from a diversity of researchers and policy experts across disciplines, sectors, and geographies [3]. Publishing original research from corresponding authors in 27 countries across our full scope, ranging from changing perceptions of sustainable choices in consumer behavior [4,5] to recommendations for more resilient agricultural practices [6][7][8], emerging threats to ecosystem services [9,10] and challenges in incorporating transformative innovation into policy practices [11]. We're incredibly grateful to include so many brilliant minds in support of such a pressing mission. We've been excited to continue to build a diverse community of editors, authors and reviewers, and we'd like to thank everyone who has contributed to developing our first volume to share timely original research to drive critical transformation toward a more sustainable future.As facilitating Open Science within the environmental and social sciences remains central to our mission, our anniversary also marks an opportunity...