Abstract
This article reports on Citizen Observatories’ (COs) potential to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reflecting on the experience of the GROW Observatory (GROW). The research aims to take the first steps in closing the gap in the literature on COs’ potential contributions to the SDG framework, beyond quantitative data contributions for indicator monitoring. Following an analysis of project activities and outcomes mapped against the SDG framework, the findings reveal GROW’s potential contributions across two dimensions: (i) Actions to advance the implementation of goals and targets through awareness raising and training; participatory methods; multi-stakeholder connections; and supporting citizens to move from data to action and (ii) Data contributions to SDG indicator monitoring through citizen-generated datasets. While earlier research has focused mostly on the latter (dimension ii), CO activities can impact numerous goals and targets, highlighting their potential to relate global SDGs to local level action, and vice versa. These findings align with the growing literature on COs’ ability to bring together policy makers, scientists and citizens, and support changes to environmental policy and practice. Furthermore, this research suggests groundwork activities that address the goal and target level can also enhance sustained data collection to contribute to indicator level monitoring. We conclude with future trends and recommendations for COs wishing to contribute to the SDGs.
Highlights
We cover the qualitative findings at the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) goal and target level, followed by the results on GROW’s quantitative data contributions to SDG indicator monitoring
The analysis presented in this paper, comparing specific variables of data in the SDG framework with data variables generated in GROW, did not consider data quality, representativity, accessibility, ownership and privacy restrictions, which poses another limitation to the actual contribution potential
While citizen science data for indicator monitoring can be an important contribution of Citizen Observatories’ (COs) to the SDGs, a narrow perception of COs as mere large-scale data contributors might undermine the wider potential and benefits of COs
Summary
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are seen as “a global blueprint for dignity, peace and prosperity for people and the planet, and in the future” [1]. The 17 SDGs address global challenges related to poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, prosperity, peace and justice. The Goals are interconnected, and global ambition is to achieve all of them by 2030. They include 169 targets and 244 indicators established by the UN General Assembly [2] to monitor progress. The UN classified each of the 244 indicators across three tiers that reflect the existence or lack of an agreed methodology to track progress [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
