Multiple Criteria Decision Making for the Achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals: A Systematic Literature Review and a Research Agenda

Rodrigo Calili,Maria Fatima Almeida,Manuel Sousa

doi:10.3390/su13084129

Rodrigo Calili, Maria Fatima Almeida + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084129

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Abstract

Multiple-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods have been widely employed in various fields and disciplines, including decision problems regarding Sustainable Development (SD) issues. The main objective of this paper is to present a systematic literature review (SLR) on MCDM methods supporting decisions focusing on the achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in regional, national, or local contexts. In this regard, 143 published scientific articles from 2016 to 2020 were retrieved from the Scopus database, selected and reviewed. They were categorized according to the decision problem associated with SDGs issues, the MCDM methodological approach, including the use (or not) of fuzzy set theory, sensitivity analysis, and multistakeholder approaches, the context of MCDM applications, and the MCDM classification (if utility-based, compromise, multi-objective, outranking, or other MCDM methods). The widespread adoption of MCDM methods in complex contexts confirms that they can help decision-makers solve multidimensional problems associated with key issues within the 2030 Agenda framework. Besides, the state-of-art review provides an improved understanding of this research field and directions for building a research agenda for those interested in advancing the research on MCDM applications in issues associated with the 2030 Agenda framework.

Highlights

The 2030 Agenda comprises 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 global targets, all oriented to a systemic vision for a better and sustainable world
The results showed that AHP/ANP (AHP/Analytic Network Process) were the most used among the Multiple-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods, followed by TOPSIS-VIKOR (TOPSIS-VIekriterijumsko KOmpromisno Rangiranje), ELECTRE, PROMETHEE, and MAUT (Multi-Attribute Utility Theory)
Even though many MCDM methods are available, decision-makers have been facing difficulties in selecting the best MCDM methodological approach to elaborate relevant answers addressed to the posed decision questions [54]

Summary

Introduction

The 2030 Agenda comprises 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 global targets, all oriented to a systemic vision for a better and sustainable world. 2015, the SDGs were established by Heads of State and Government and High Representatives of 193 countries on a participatory basis [1]. The SDGs are a set of 17 interlinked goals designed to be a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all” [2]. They are: (i) “No Poverty”, (ii) “Zero Hunger”,. Following the stages of a generic policy-planning towards global targets achievement by 2030, the implementation of the 2030 Agenda framework started in 2016.

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