Environmental Sustainability: From Knowledge to Action Bridging Science, Policy, Technology, and Society for a Sustainable Future

Abstract

Abstract Environmental sustainability has emerged as one of the defining challenges of the twenty-first century due to accelerating climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental pollution, and the depletion of natural resources. Although scientific understanding of environmental issues has grown substantially, translating this knowledge into effective action remains a persistent global challenge, commonly described as the “knowledge–action gap.” This paper conducts a narrative and integrative review of recent literature (2018–2024) to examine the transition from environmental awareness to practical implementation, focusing on the roles of governance, technological innovation, education, community participation, corporate responsibility, and international cooperation. Following a systematic-style search of peer-reviewed and institutional sources, the review synthesises findings into an integrated conceptual framework linking six interdependent domains — policy and governance, technology and innovation, education and awareness, community participation, corporate responsibility, and international cooperation — to sustainable development outcomes. The study identifies persistent economic, political, social, and technological barriers to implementation and proposes a set of ten evidence-based recommendations for accelerating the transition from knowledge to action. The findings suggest that achieving environmental sustainability requires interdisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based policymaking, technological advancement, behavioural transformation, and long-term institutional commitment operating jointly rather than in isolation.