The University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD), Somanya, Eastern Region, has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing sustainable development through research and academic engagement by hosting an International Virtual Seminar on the integration of Environmental Justice (EJ) and Social Sustainability (SS) as pathways to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Organised by the School of Sustainable Development (SSD), the seminar forms part of UESD’s ongoing efforts to create platforms for intellectual exchange, foster evidence-based policymaking, and deepen global conversations on environmental sustainability and social development. It also reinforces the University’s mandate to produce knowledge and innovative solutions that contribute to sustainable development in Ghana, Africa, and beyond.
At the 12th International virtual seminar, the resource person was Kwaku Abrefa Busia, Assistant Professor and Post Doctoral Fellow, Department of Sociology and Social Policy, Lingnan University, Tuenmun, Hong Kong. Delivering his presentation, Dr. Busia explained that although the SDGs were developed as a comprehensive global framework, research and policy implementation frequently address environmental, social, and economic issues in isolation. He noted that this fragmented approach often limits the effectiveness of sustainable development interventions.
He said, Environmental Justice seeks to ensure the fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens through distributive justice, procedural justice, and the recognition of marginalised communities. Social Sustainability, he added, promotes long-term societal well-being by advancing equity, inclusion, participation, access to resources and social cohesion.
Dr. Busia emphasised that integrating the two concepts provides a stronger framework for addressing environmental degradation and social inequalities simultaneously, thereby creating more inclusive and sustainable development outcomes. He challenged researchers, policymakers, and development practitioners to adopt more integrated approaches to addressing environmental and social challenges rather than treating them as separate issues. Using practical case studies from urban planning, informal mining, farmer cooperatives, and climate action initiatives, Dr. Busia illustrated how unequal access to green spaces, environmental pollution, occupational health risks, and limited livelihood opportunities continue to affect vulnerable communities. He demonstrated how coordinated policies that combine Environmental Justice and Social Sustainability can help build resilient communities while promoting environmental protection.