Global Partnership For Sustainable Development Research Articles

Social, Economic and Competitiveness aspects of Green Innovation

Objective: The purpose of this study is to analyze how the adoption of green innovation practices by companies can affect the economic (Gross Domestic Product - GDP), social (Human Development Index - HDI) and competitiveness (Global Competitiveness Index - GCI) Development of Developed Countries (DC) and Emerging Countries (EC). Method: For the analysis, a three-level hierarchical regression model was used with repeated measures and estimated by Maximum Likelihood from a sample of 4061 publicly traded companies, 80% of which from the G7 countries and 20% from the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). Results: The results showed that in relation to GDP, all green innovation indicators negatively influenced economic development in both DC and EC. With regard to the HDI, green innovation practices such as environmental management and environmental investments positively influence social development in DCs and ECs, respectively. As for competitiveness, the results revealed that only green innovation practices related to environmental policies showed statistically significant results demonstrating a negative relationship with the GCI both in the DC and in the EC. Contributions: The study contributes with possible ways for companies and governments to set goals to achieve Sustainable Development Goals, SDG-8 to promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth, SDG-9 to promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation, and SDG-10 to strengthen and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

Editorial Notes

The International Sustainable Development Research Society (ISDRS) is a global network of academic and sustainable development experts. ISDRS will organise an annual conference to allow practitioners, researchers, academics, and students to network and share their latest research, case studies, experiences, and accomplishments within the context of sustainable development.Halfway through Agenda 2030, and amid the COVID-19 pandemic to endemic transition, people from every walk of life are experiencing changes in their lives. Governments worldwide are aligning their goals and targets to fit in the new ‘norms.’ Against this background, researchers were invited to share their work, which assesses the progress of SDGs, at the 29th ISDRS Conference from 11th to 13th July 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.The Malaysia conference took place in the mid of Agenda 2030, seven years and a half after SDGs was first launched in 2015, and seven years and a half more towards 2030. It goes without saying that the most appropriate theme for the 2023 conference was “Half-way through Agenda 2030: Assessing the 5Ps of SDGs (people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership)”. Below are the commitments made by country leaders worldwide to the 5P back in 2015: People We are determined to end poverty and hunger in all their forms and dimensions and to ensure that all human beings can fulfil their potential in dignity and equality and in a healthy environment. Planet We are determined to protect the planet from degradation, including through sustainable consumption and production, sustainably managing its natural resources and taking urgent action on climate change so that it can support the needs of the present and future generations. Prosperity We are determined to ensure that all human beings can enjoy prosperous and fulfilling lives and that economic, social and technological progress occurs in harmony with nature. Peace We are determined to foster peaceful, just and inclusive societies which are free from fear and violence. There can be no sustainable development without peace and no peace without sustainable development. Partnership We are determined to mobilise the means required to implement this Agenda through a revitalised Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, based on a spirit of strengthened global solidarity, focused in particular on the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable and with the participation of all countries, all stakeholders and all people. The Faculty of Law, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM (or the National University of Malaysia), was proud to be the main organiser of the 29th ISDRS Conference. Other co-organizers were IDEA Centre UKM, Institute of Fuel Cell UKM, Institute of Visual Informatic UKM, Institute of the Malay World and Civilization UKM, UKM-Graduate School of Business, Hadhari Institute UKM and UKM Strategy Center.

Achievement of SDGS globally in biodiversity conservation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by using green energy and maintaining forest cover

The global partnership for sustainable development is well-positioned to combat climate change and its impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on climate, oceans, marine resources, forests, biodiversity, and land degradation. This study has assessed and evaluated the status of global forests and biodiversity, greenhouse emissions, and global energy perspectives, synthesizing track progress on goals 13 and 15 targets focusing on climate change trends, forest cover, and biodiversity status. Review and analysis of global forest resource and biodiversity assessment, GHG emission inventories, verification of CO2 measurement, statistical review of world energy and renewables contributions to reduction of GHG emissions, and applying quantitative data on environmental change to identify impact and implications showed that the targeted SDG goals are able to address the issues needed to build climate resilience: maintaining forests and biodiversity, achieving zero emissions, and adopting renewables. Forests, which cover 31% of the world's land surface, provide habitat, clean air and water, and help mitigate climate change. However, 13 million hectares are lost each year, resulting in the desertification of 3.6 billion hectares. The world's tree stock has decreased slightly due to a decrease in forest area, with 8% of 8,300 animal breeds extinct and 22% on the verge of extinction, highlighting the importance of sustainable ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation. Global GHG emissions are expected to rise slightly in 2021 to 8 GtCO2e, comparable to or exceeding 2019 levels, and global temperatures could rise over 1.5°C by 2030. Human activities, including greenhouse gas emissions, contribute to global warming, with surface temperatures rising 1.1°C between 2011 and 2020. Mitigation policies expand, but warming may exceed 1.5°C by 2030. The world faces challenges in achieving climate change goals, necessitating increased ambition and implementation. Integrating climate action and sustainable development using renewable energy sources like bioenergy, solar, geothermal, hydropower, and wind is the most effective approach.

Waqf and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG-17): A Maqasid Framework

The seventeenth Sustainable Development Goal encapsulates the topic on enhancing implementation tools and reviving the global partnership for sustainable development. Waqf, on the other hand, is an instrument of Islamic social finances that has a sustainable nature and is relevant to the SDGs; therefore, it has the potential to be utilized in the maintenance of partnerships to attain goals. This study aims to demonstrate the relevance of the waqf model to the SDGs by highlighting the waqf model applicable in Indonesia, which is in line with SDG 17 from a Maqasid Syariah perspective. The results indicate that the global cash waqf model is the appropriate funding to meet the seventeenth objective, which is the maintenance of international partnerships

Examining the relationship among critical success factors (CSFs) for delivery of sustainable public-private partnership projects

Purpose The sustainable development goal (SDG 17) is to strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development. Partnership is a key strategy for acquiring skills, information and private finance for developing critical infrastructure projects. Existing studies have mostly concentrated on identifying critical success factors (CSFs) for successfully delivering public–private partnerships (PPPs) projects, but the interrelationships among CSFs expected from stakeholders have garnered less attention. The purpose of this study is to examine the interconnections among CSFs of PPP projects while keeping the public in mind, as well as the influencing routes that contribute to success in the PPP implementation process. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a mixed-method approach that involves both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. The data for the study were collected through a well-structured questionnaire from the respondents who are directly or indirectly associated with the PPP project implementation process. The CSF’s framework was built using a literature study and expert interviews; nine hypotheses were developed and evaluated using structural equation modelling. Random and purposive sampling techniques were used for the respondents who were directly or indirectly associated with the PPP project implementation process. Findings The findings of this study reveal that the relationship between public and private partners is more adherent than collaborative, with unequal responsibilities, powers and resources distributed among the parties involved. The relevance of state rules, the PPP directive and policies in PPP implementation is supported by the positive connection between favourable environments (Fav_Env) and government attributes (Gov_Atr; the path coefficient is 0.405). Moreover, government attributes have a favourable influence on private company attributes (Pvt_Atr; the path coefficient is 0.198), showing that the state plays a substantial role in the private sector’s decision-making process in PPP. The long-term sustainability and success of a PPP project are dependent on the established interrelationships between CSFs. Practical implications The established interrelationships between CSFs will contribute to the long-term viability and success of a PPP project. Since PPP is still in its infancy in India, the study of CSFs in PPPs and their interrelationships will help policymakers and other stakeholders better understand the major individual factors impacting the success or failure of PPP initiatives. Originality/value Because PPP is still in its infancy in India, the study of CSFs in PPPs and their interrelationships will help policymakers and other stakeholders to better understand the major individual factors impacting the success or failure of PPP initiatives. A key implication of the study borders on providing a better understanding of the relationships between CSFs and public engagement. This is also critical for the long-term viability of PPPs and the enhancement of public service quality.

SDG 17 and global partnership for sustainable development: unraveling the rhetoric of collaboration

As the 2030 SDG Agenda unfolds, a growing body of the literature from various disciplines is analyzing how sustainable development can be a process for change to achieve a dynamic equilibrium between the economic, social, and environmental dimensions. This article aims to critically examine the evolution and implementation of the UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development, with a particular focus on its collaborative approach. It discusses the SDG 17 called “Partnerships for the Goals. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development”, devoting particular attention to how this SDG has been found in a blurred vision of collaboration. Actually, there has been much rhetoric about enhancing multi-stakeholder partnerships for sustainable development including the government, business sector, non-government organizations, academia, social partners, and civil society. However, reporting the difficulties and unmitigated success is not common. From the perspective of the theory of collaborative advantage, this paper examines the collaborative advantages and inertias of the process of collaborating and identifies important key elements to consider in SDG 17, such as power relations, trust, goal management, organizational cultures, and leadership.

Moving from Mirages to Miracles: Intellectual Property, Human Rights and the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

Moving from Mirages to Miracles: Intellectual Property, Human Rights and the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

Special Issue on “Process Design and Sustainable Development”

Thirty years ago, at the United Nations’ (UN) Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 178 countries adopted Agenda 21, a global partnership for sustainable development to improve human lives and protect the environment [...]

Human capital, foreign direct investment, and economic growth: Evidence from ECOWAS in a decomposed income level panel

The study explored the nexus of human capital development, foreign direct investment, and economic growth within the ECOWAS region while controlling carbon emission, urbanization, and renewable energy. To examine the dynamic link between economic growth, human capital, foreign direct investment, CO2 emissions, and urbanization in ECOWAS, the selected countries were clustered into Lower Middle-Income Countries and Low-Income Countries. Drawing on panel data from 1990 to 2017, the study suggests that the rate of human capital, foreign direct investment, CO2 emissions, and urbanization affect economic growth as LMIC and LIC. The effect weight, however, changed per sub-panel this implies that LMICs and LICs should focus on investing in human capital development through education and health to enhance their economic growth. Policies to reduce CO2 emissions by focusing on renewable energy usage. This is fundamental in achieving the United Nations’ sustainable development goal 4 which seeks to safeguard inclusive and equitable quality education and stimulate lifetime learning opportunities (human capital development) and 17 which seeks to reinforce the means of implementation and rejuvenate the global partnership for sustainable development (FDI).

Universally Accessible Public Spaces for All

At the occasion of the 10th session of the World Urban Forum in Abu Dhabi (2020), the World Blind Union (WBU) and City Space Architecture committed to develop and publish a special issue of The Journal of Public Space with a specific focus on universally accessible public spaces. This voluntary commitment was included in the Forum’s outcome declaration, the Abu Dhabi Declared Actions (2021), intended to support accelerating the implementation of the New Urban Agenda (NUA) and urban dimension of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during the Decade of Action. In particular this Special Issue is contributing to Goal 17 - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development, and its outcomes are focusing on Goal 11 - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.Today, more than half of the world’s population live in cities, 15 per cent of them being persons with disabilities. By 2050, 70 per cent of the world’s population will live in urban communities including over two billion persons with disabilities and older persons requiring inclusive and accessible infrastructure and services to live independently and participate on an equal basis in all aspects of society. Local and regional governments, and other key urban stakeholders, face immense pressure to adapt strategies, policies, and urban planning and design practices to fully respond to the rights and needs of all persons with disabilities and intersecting social groups.
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Integrating the Sustainable Development Goals into a Region’s Smart Specialisation Strategy through Corporate Responsibility

The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the accompanying 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been widely adopted in EU policies, such as the European Green Deal, and Member States, highlight the need for responsible and sustainable investments by the business sector. The present paper argues that in the EU framework where development policies are sufficiently decentralised at the level of Regions, the materialization of “shared value” from business towards the achievement of SDGs can be accomplished via close cooperation between regional governance authorities and the business sector itself, in the spirit of SDG 17 (“Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development”). In this framework, EU Regions shall support the identification of regional industries and/or market segments that guarantee innovation potentials and regional comparative advantages. This entrepreneurial discovery process, in the context of Regional Smart Specialisation Strategies, shall be followed by private investments, exploiting the relevant business opportunities and creating “shared value” towards the achievement of SDGs.

Sustainable Development as a Cornerstone of Cities’ Engagement with International Law

Sustainable development may safely be regarded as a cornerstone of cities’ engagement with international law, an engagement which is certainly bound to increase in the time of COVID-19. This article revisits the historical trajectory of cities’ and local governments’ participation in sustainable development processes. It particularly focuses on the contemporary involvement of cities and their transnational networks in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and associated Sustainable Development Goals. Subsidiarity and public participation are fully discussed as conceptual underpinnings of cities’ growing role in the pursuit of sustainability. The article concludes that, as long as cities continue to demonstrate leadership and innovation in advancing cutting- edge solutions to problems of sustainability as a result of mechanisms that secure the meaningful participation of the communities of people concerned, their place in the global partnership for sustainable development will inevitably become ever more prominent.

More than seven decades of Acta Tropica: Partnership to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

The inaugural issue of Acta Tropica has been published in 1944, at a time of utmost international isolation and uncertainty due to World War II. Now, more than seven decades later, Acta Tropica is a trusted outlet to communicate and disseminate scientific advances in the fields of parasitology and tropical medicine. As a scholarly, peer-reviewed journal, Acta Tropica contributes to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, that is “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all of all ages”. This article explores how Acta Tropica has evolved over time. Our analysis is based on a systematic review of keywords derived from all issues published in a specific year, arbitrarily selected at decadal snapshots (1950, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020). Results indicate a decrease in interdisciplinarity in favour of more specialised expertise in various fields of infectious diseases research and public health with a particular emphasis on low- and middle-income countries. Yet, by examining first and last authors’ institutional affiliations and classifying countries by the Human Development Index (HDI), we find that most authors are affiliated with institutions in high- and very high-HDI countries. Over time, the mean number of authors on a paper has increased severalfold (from 1.35 in 1950 to 7.51 in 2020). Taken together, Acta Tropica has become increasingly globally anchored and contributes not only to SDG 3, but increasingly also to SDG 17, that is “Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development”.

Effects of Double Taxation Agreements between Tanzania and India on the Foreign Direct Investments

Abstract The paper analyzed policy effects of Double Taxation Agreements (DTA) between Tanzania and India. The study employed desk study and mini-field research survey purposely to obtain primary data and qualitative information from the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), High Commission of India and Indian companies. The paper found that Tanzania has no comprehensive national taxation policy which incorporates DTAs. The current treaties do not protect the government revenue losses. The loopholes include the denial of taxing the gains made by investors selling assets. However, the contribution of Tanzania-India DTAs in Foreign Direct Investment, (FDIs) flow in Tanzania has been significant positive. Indian FDIs have positive effects on Tanzanian employment. Moreover, the investments from India have brought massive capital flows and new technologies into the country. Tanzania-India DTA is more potential for sustainable national development. The study recommends the need to review and formulate New National Investment Policy 2019 that effectively integrate into sustainable fiscal and sector policies. Tanzania has to review all DTAs with aim of minimizing government revenue losses and to renegotiate all existing DTAs adopting UN Model Tanzania. It has to rationalize favoured bilateral treaties to signal their commitments to stable, correct, and often favourable treatment of foreign investors. Tanzania has to implement the Goal #17 of Sustainable Development Goal as that of “Partnering for Development” as a strategy to strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

Post-COVID Sustainable Economic Development

Crises show all the vulnerability and unsustainability of modern economic systems, imposing the need to ask ourselves what really is important, what wealth actually is. At the same time, they are an opportunity to critically review economic systems, ideologies, economic indicators of quality of life and dogmatically set ideas which have negative impacts on society, culture and the environment. In this sense, the current pandemic is an opportunity to take action and make a change, to shift the focus to socio-economic models focused on people, environment and strengthening of global partnership for sustainable development.

Imperatives for Pastoral Livelihood Sustainability in the Mara Ecosystem, Kenya

The seventeen (17) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) form a firm foundation for livelihoods and ecologi-cal sustainability in biodiversity conservation. Of the 17 SDGs, five of them focus on promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns (SDG 12), promotion of actions at all levels to deal with climate change (SDG 13), protecting and restoring all terrestrial ecosystems to end biodiversity loss (SDG 15), achieving peaceful and inclusive societies, the rule of law, effective and capable institutions (SDG 16) and strengthening and enhancing the means of implementation and global partnership for sustainable development (SDG 17) form the bond within which other SDGs coalesce with the goal of attaining sustainability of planetary ecosystems. The Kenyan and Tanzanian constitutions also are aligned to the achievement of livelihood sustainability. The fragmentation of the Mau-Mara ecosystem and consequent loss of wildlife habitat, the occurrence of droughts due to fluctuating rainfall patterns, loss of woody vegetation, commercial agricultural land use, population growth, increase in human settlement, and associated poaching are some of the factors responsible for shrinking wildlife resources in the Mara. Climate change poses a serious challenge for the Mara due to its adverse effects on temperature and rainfall patterns. Several recommendations have been suggested in this paper regarding different ways of addressing these human-wildlife conflicts. They include growing wildlife as a cash crop with a bonus to the local community and collaboration with the private sector to enhance the free movement of livestock while also freeing space within wildlife corridors, among others. This paper attempts to examine how the Maasai pastoral livelihoods are changing and the strategies adopted to cope with climate change and competing land uses in the Mara ecosystem. Suggestions are also made on some practical solutions that could contribute to sustainable pastoral livelihood systems in the area if implemented. This paper relies on literature search and review of various research works carried out in the Mara-Serengeti to highlight key issues involving livelihoods’ sustainability in the Mara ecosystem. The research revealed the threat posed by climate change and underlined the need for adaptation ensure livelihood sustainability.

Innovation Ecosystem framework directed to Sustainable Development Goal #17 partnerships implementation

AbstractPartnerships are demanded to implement a more integrated approach to sustainable development problems. The complex character of sustainability requires the participation of many societal spheres to resolve them. Sustainable Development Goal #17 “Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development” recognizes multi‐stakeholder partnerships as important vehicles for mobilizing and sharing knowledge, expertise, technologies, and financial resources to support the achievement of the SDGs in all countries. Innovation Ecosystems (IE) are dynamic purposive multi‐stakeholders' networks with complex relationships built on trust, co‐creation of value, and exchange of complementary technologies or competencies. Few studies investigated the IEs relating to sustainability and specially within the SDGs. This study provides a descriptive analysis of the relationship between IE and the SDGs, concerning the question about how the IE framework can orient the SDG #17 partnership implementation. The methodology is based on the literature review and analysis of documents from the United Nations, available at the UN Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform ‐ 2021. Four core drivers were identified and discussed: Geographical Governance, Collaboration, Knowledge Transmission, and Value co‐creation. Considering the IE lens, the SDGs can be addressed as the purpose engaging the Major Groups, which are the key contributors in terms of being part of the challenges and solutions. There is a need to prepare stakeholders to be ecosystem conscious and aware of the demanded innovations. Future research should include describing methods to measure IE performance considering the SDGs and empirical studies to analyze the ecosystem roles and relations of the Major Groups.

Revitalizing the Global Alliances for Sustainable Development: Analyzing the Viability of Sustainable Development Goal 17—A Multi-Actor Governance Approach

The seventeenth Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations, Partnerships for the Goals, aims to strengthen the means of the implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development. The successful implantation of the UN’s seventeenth Sustainable Development Goal will aid the execution and achievement of the other sixteen goals. This article explores the importance and viability of Sustainable Development Goal 17, using a case study based in Valencia, Spain. The study presents an illustrative stakeholder situation, where we see that there are conflicting interests among conservationists, fishermen, municipality representatives, and others. Data collection was done using desk-based research and semi-structured interviews. The interview process was performed between October 2018 and October 2019. In total, 21 different stakeholders were interviewed. For the data analyses, a stakeholder register, Power–Interest Matrices, and a stakeholder map were used, and, to complement the latter, narratives were developed. The different analyses showed that most project stakeholders supported the project, while there was really only one stakeholder, the fishermen themselves, who were reticent about participating. However, it was shown over time that, by developing a common vision with them, the fishermen came on board the project and collaborated with the scientists. Stakeholder engagement analyses are especially useful in the application of Sustainable Development Goals at the project level. Although this case study is specifically applicable to a marine conservation context, it may be extrapolated and applied to any other Sustainable Development Goals’ context.

Achieving Environmental Policy Objectives through the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals. The Case for European Union Countries

One of the key challenges for climate policies is the identification of strategies that will effectively support the implementation of environmental goals. Environmental policies are connected with other development policies carried out by governments. In order to comprehensively shape environmental policy, it is important to understand the interactions between sustainable development goals (SDGs) as well as their impact on environmental goals. Employing econometric modeling based on the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) method and full-factorial analysis, the authors identify a number of statistically significant relationships between the implementation of sustainable development goals and the environmental variable represented by greenhouse gas emissions. Analysis reveals that implementation of particular sustainable development goals, namely SDG4 (Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities) and SDG17 (Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development), explicitly facilitate the achievement of environmental policies. In addition, other SDGs exert an indirect influence on environmental goals through their reinforcing interactions with SDG4 and SDG17 variables. These are: SDG1 (End poverty), SDG3 (Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being), SDG8 (Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, and productive employment) and SDG15 (Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests and halt biodiversity loss). These findings have important implications for proper identification of effective government policy instruments which indirectly support the achievement of environmental goals.

The Evolution of Trust Within a Global Health Partnership With the Private Sector: An Inductive Framework.

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) in global health are increasingly common to support sustainable development and strengthen health systems in low- and middle-income countries. Since the release of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 culminating in a discrete goal "to revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development," public health scholars have sought to understand what makes PPPs successful in different contexts. While trust has long been identified as a key component of successful strategic alliances in the private sector, less is known about how trust emerges between public- and private- sector partners, particularly in global health. Therefore, we investigated how trust between partners evolved in the context of Project Last Mile (PLM), a global health partnership that translates the business acumen of The Coca-Cola Company to strengthen public health systems across Africa. This study draws upon secondary analysis of qualitative data generated as part of the longitudinal, mixed-methods evaluation of PLM across country settings. Seventy-seven interviews with a purposeful sample of key stakeholders were conducted in Mozambique, South Africa and eSwatini between August 2016 and July 2018. Trained qualitative interviewers followed a standard discussion guide, and audio-recorded interviews with participants' consent. In this secondary analysis, we analyzed qualitative data to understand how trust between partners was cultivated across settings. We drew upon stakeholder experiences to inform an inductive framework for how trust develops over time. Our analysis revealed five domains that were foundational to building trust: (1) reputational context, (2) team composition, (3) tangible outputs, (4) shared values, and (5) effective communication. The framework may be useful for private and public sector entities seeking to establish and sustain trust within their global health partnerships.