Topic:
Who should decide what is ‘sustainable’ - scientists, policymakers, communities, or the market? 

Word limit: 600 words (maximum)

Task Requirements: 

This early discussion forum invites you to critically examine who should have the authority and responsibility to define and guide sustainability priorities, and how those decisions affect broader systems over time.

Should sustainability decisions be driven primarily by scientific expertise, political leadership, community values, or market forces? Or should these groups share responsibility? And if so, how?

As you develop your post, consider how decisions made by different groups might shape ecological, social, and economic systems at different temporal and spatial scales, and how feedbacks may influence future sustainability outcomes.

You are required to post at least one contribution to the discussion forum (maximum 600 words). Your post should:

Take a clear position, supported by relevant references. 

Integrate concepts from the unit lectures, readings and/or tutorial material. 
Use concise and respectful language.
Either initiate a new discussion thread or respond thoughtfully to an existing post.
If responding to others, extend or challenge ideas constructively using evidence to support your view.

Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 4: You may use AI extensively throughout your work either as you wish, or as specifically directed in your assessment. Focus on directing AI to achieve your goals while demonstrating your critical thinking.

AI Declaration:
You must include a brief AI use declaration at the end of your forum post. This should state whether and how you used generative AI tools to complete the task.
For example:
“I used ChatGPT to help generate an outline and refine the language in my forum post. All analysis and conclusions are my own.”
“I did not use generative AI in the preparation of this assessment.”

Assessment criteria: 

• The post demonstrates critical thinking and originality (40%)
• The post integrates concepts from the unit lectures, reading and/or tutorial material (30%)
• The post is supported by relevant references that are correctly cited (20%)
• The post is clear, uses appropriate language and is engaging (10%)

Using skills developed in the unit lectures and tutorials (problem framing, stakeholder mapping, systems mapping) you are required to describe (in approximately 1500 words, plus diagrams) the context for a given case study system and reflect on its sustainability challenges. This assessment provides the foundation for designing a Theory of Change for the case study system in Assessment 3. Detailed instructions and information on the case study will be provided on the unit Moodle. 

Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 4: You may use AI extensively throughout your work either as you wish, or as specifically directed in your assessment. Focus on directing AI to achieve your goals while demonstrating your critical thinking.

AI Declaration:
You must include a brief AI use declaration at the end of your forum post. This should state whether and how you used generative AI tools to complete the task.
For example:
“I used ChatGPT to help generate an outline and refine the language in my forum post. All analysis and conclusions are my own.”
“I did not use generative AI in the preparation of this assessment.”

• The context and problem framing demonstrates depth of analysis and clearly integrates economic, social and ecological dimensions (30%).
• The stakeholder analysis identifies relevant actors and provides clear insight into their roles, interests and influence (20%).
• The systems map and leverage point analysis show strong systems thinking, including accurate loops, well‑chosen variables, and clear justification of leverage points (35%).
• The reflection demonstrates awareness of knowledge gaps and cultural or behavioural barriers that may affect sustainability efforts (10%).
• The submission is well‑structured, clearly written, uses appropriate visuals, and includes correct academic referencing (5%).

For this assessment, you will be required to design a Theory of Change (ToC) for a case study system, mapping the pathway from the current context (analysed in Assessment 2) to a desired future vision. You will integrate systems thinking and strategic planning to propose interventions that support long-term sustainability. The ToC diagrams will be developed through group activities during class tutorials. However, this is NOT a group project and the ToC diagram is the only component of the assessment that can be shared. You are required to prepare individual assessments that will include the ToC along with your own narratives and reflections. Detailed instructions and information on the case study will be provided on the unit Moodle. 

Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 4: You may use AI extensively throughout your work either as you wish, or as specifically directed in your assessment. Focus on directing AI to achieve your goals while demonstrating your critical thinking.

AI Declaration:
You must include a brief AI use declaration at the end of your forum post. This should state whether and how you used generative AI tools to complete the task.
For example:
“I used ChatGPT to help generate an outline and refine the language in my forum post. All analysis and conclusions are my own.”
“I did not use generative AI in the preparation of this assessment.”

• The vision statement is clear, compelling and aligned with a sustainable future for the case study (15%).
• The Theory of Change diagram is complete, logical and clearly communicates inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes and impact (15%).
• The narrative explanation demonstrates depth of analysis, integrating interventions, indicators, assumptions, risks and systems thinking (40%).
• The critical reflection shows insight into how systems thinking informed the design and acknowledges remaining limitations or uncertainties (15%).
• The submission is well‑structured, clearly communicated, appropriately referenced and uses high‑quality visuals (15%)