Table 1 Eight premises underlying the argumentation and framework proposed in this paper, separated into three categories (italics), as further explained in the main text, together with examples from the bioenergy sector

1. Human choices about our activities significantly impact life on Earth and there is a duty to care to transition towards more sustainable societies

Premise 1

Human choices about our activities may benefit or harm the life of other human beings and organisms on this planet

Premise 2

Sustainability is a worthy even as an aspirational goal and all humans have a duty to care about mitigation of sustainability risks with a special obligation for those with decision-making power and influence

2. Societal trust is needed to transition towards more sustainable societies and governance is a tool

Premise 3

Trust among decision makers and other citizens or stakeholders is a critical prerequisite to transition to sustainable societies

Premise 4

Sustainability governance is a tool to build societal trust through collaboration to reach agreement about what activities contribute towards more sustainable societies

Premise 5

The ability of a governance system to build legitimacy and trust is affected by its design features that also influence the system’s effectiveness in achieving its goals or transition towards them

3. Cooperation is needed to shape good sustainability governance systems

Premise 6

Willingness to cooperate is needed when sustainability governance is shaped because complete agreement and trust are aspirational rather than fully realizable goals, as is sustainability itself

Premise 7

A clear distinction between fact- and value-related disagreement is a prerequisite for constructive dialogue and reaching consensus on what activities that should be seen as sustainable, and under which conditions

Premise 8

Efficient communication requires agreement around definitions and terminology