The collection of essays introduces the reader to basic concepts and important questions of Sustainable Development as well as of Ethics and the Theory and Governance of Science. Its contributors cover a variety of issues that relate to the question of what role science plays - or should play - in constructing and responding to challenges of sustainable development. The essays cover a broad field of disciplines. They provide an ambitious overview not only of conceptual debates in these subject areas but also of application-oriented reflections in fields such as water, knowledge of the Anthropocene as well as the role of the relationship between humans and animals. The breadth of this collection renders it both a pertinent introduction to the topic and a useful summary of current debates for readers familiar with the subject. This volume sets the stage for the new series of books entitled 'Ethics of Science in the Research for Sustainable Development'.With contributions from: Christina Alert, Livia Boscardin, Leonie Bossert, Ragnar Fjelland, Silvio Funtowicz, Matthias Kaiser, Johannes Lundershausen, Simon Meisch, Steffi Ober, Konrad Ott, Thomas Potthast, Jermone Ravetz, Marcus Rockoff, Lieske Voget-Kleschin, Rafael Ziegler