The sustainability–peace nexus: why is it important?

Sustainability and peace have long been recognized within academic and policy circles as intrinsically interrelated. Although there are some studies that examine impacts of sustainability on peace and vice versa, a specific focus on the sustainability–peace nexus remains marginal in academic and policy discourses, and pathways where sustainability and peace interact remain ambiguous. As a result, global initiatives on peace and sustainability remain fragmented. It is, therefore, crucial to identify the different components that mutually reinforce the desirable outcomes from sustainability and peace initiatives. This special feature of Sustainability Science aims to contribute to a better understanding of these components by highlighting the emerging discourses on the peace–sustainability nexus and the issues surrounding it. It includes articles that provide insights to better address issues at the nexus of peace and sustainability. Key takeaways for scientists and policy makers are that systemic approaches are needed to capture the multiple dynamic interactions between peace and sustainability; addressing issues at the intersection of peace and sustainability requires interactions between a wide range of stakeholders within and across various local, regional, national, and global scales; and international scientific collaboration is essential for comprehensive understanding of the interactions between peace and sustainability. We hope that this special feature will contribute to a better understanding of the complexities of the peace–sustainability nexus and provide insights into developing more effective solutions and strategies for making progress towards creating more peaceful and sustainable communities in the future.