This book provides the reader with a state-of-the-art view of research on sustainable development. Its emphasis lies on the transformative dimension of this research: sustainable development can only be realized through a far-reaching transformation of the situation humankind finds itself in at the beginning of the third millennium. The contributions are written by leading world experts in the conceptualisation and actual practice of sustainable development. The book provides a timely overview of ideas and methods as well as a variety of original learning examples on the most innovative approaches on sustainability science.