Abstract

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development seeks to protect the planet from degradation, including through sustainable consumption and production, sustainably managing its natural resources and taking urgent action on climate change. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which are an urgent call for action by all countries in a global partnership. This study explores how sustainability practices are developed and promoted using a territorial/local approach. Manningtree, Essex, is the smallest town in England and home to PACE Manningtree, a charity that works to build local resilience against the effects of climate disruption and threats to the natural world. PACE stands for ‘practical actions for climate and the environment’ and encapsulates how the charity works with the local community to increase understanding and take positive actions to address climate change and biodiversity loss. Using case study research, the study explores how the Manningtree community pursues its sustainability goals, aiming to understand how a local/territorial approach can support and promote sustainability practices. The study seeks to answer these research questions: (1) What virtues can localisation bring to the development of responsible and sustainable practices? (2) How can a specialised environment/localisation ensure resilience in the face of challenges/barriers associated with the implementation of sustainability? Pursuing a qualitative perspective, the case study is compiled using secondary data (e.g., PACE Manningtree website materials) and primary data (interview data and photos taken in Manningtree) that are analysed using thematic analysis. The findings are of interest to a range of international audiences, including other towns and cities, and academia.