ABSTRACT
This chapter seeks to explore the fundamental, systemic causes for the failure of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ultimately concluding that they were a flawed model designed for a flawed law and governance system. If environmental law and governance is failing, the SDGs will fail. If global governance is failing, the SDGs will fail. And it began with its origins. The SDG model is a development approach that seeks to address unsustainable models of law and governance, yet development is, itself, an unsustainable model of law and governance. This is proven again and again when development is placed at odds with environmental protection, and environmental protection consistently loses. The SDG model is also a global approach, advanced by state leaders and with input from local peoples, and so faces the same challenges of global governance, particularly nationalism, power imbalances, and non-accountability. The ultimate document was edited, disempowered, signed – and expected to be implemented – by state leaders, the very same leaders who have historically caused or currently cause the harm that has taken our planet to the crises the document seeks to address. The chapter argues that since this is an issue of governance, an issue of justice, the SDGs should evolve and be advanced through a relational, justice lens, and their dialogue approach affords them that opportunity.
