Implementation Of Sustainable Development Goals Research Articles

Navigating governance with sticks, carrots, and sermons: Paving paths for sustainable development goals through local spatial planning

AbstractThe 2030 Agenda underscores the vital role of local authorities and civil society in implementing sustainable development goals (SDGs). Aligning with this agenda, the EU's spatial development framework imparts normative values, emphasizing sustainable territorial development, participatory governance, and multi‐level cooperation. This framework serves as a potential facilitator for spatial planning to ensure policy coherence in SDG implementation. Despite its potential, mainstreaming the 2030 Agenda through spatial planning encounters challenges, particularly navigating unresolved tensions between global SDG formulation and local ownership. These challenges are accentuated in countries with conformative planning systems and weak governance structures, requiring a specific methodological approach. To address these complexities, this study investigates the opportunities for leveraging SDGs within the multi‐level governance arena of spatial planning. Employing mixed quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods in a local planning context, the research explores key concerns arising from regional, national, and EU spatial development policies. The study delves into their potential leverage capacity for guiding and funding SDGs within a specific local context. Results suggest that using different policy mechanisms, spatial planning can better address the holistic nature of the 2030 Agenda. Although not all SDGs can be leveraged, a substantial part can be addressed whenever a broader multi‐level governance perspective is considered within local planning contexts.

Governance of Non-Profit Organizations in Developing Countries: Malaysia and Indonesia

Governance of Non-Profit Organizations in Developing Countries: Malaysia and Indonesia

The Impact of AI in Sustainable Development Goal Implementation: A Delphi Study

Artificial intelligence emerges as a powerful catalyst poised to reshape the global sustainability landscape by facilitating the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This comprehensive Delphi study meticulously probes the insights of domain experts, shedding light on the strategic utilization of AI to advance these critical sustainability objectives. Employing rigorous statistical techniques, encompassing measures of central tendency and interquartile deviation, this research scrutinizes consensus dynamics among experts and elucidates potential variations in their viewpoints. The findings resoundingly convey experts’ collective positive perspective regarding AI’s pivotal role in propelling the SDGs forward. Through two iterative rounds of extensive discussions, a compelling consensus crystallizes—AI indeed exerts an overall positive impact, exemplified by a robust mean score of 78.8%. Intriguingly, distinct SDGs manifest varied propensities toward AI intervention, with Goals 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, and 15 basking in the radiance of highly positive impacts. Goals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, and 12 exhibit positive impact scores, indicating a juncture ripe for positive advancements. Meanwhile, Goal 16 and Goal 17 languish with neutral scores, signifying a juncture demanding nuanced deliberations about AI’s impact on peace, justice, and strong institutions as well as on partnerships for the goals, respectively. This paper underscores AI as a formidable instrument poised to address humanity’s most pressing challenges while harmonizing seamlessly with the overarching SDG objectives. It gracefully dovetails into established practices across pivotal domains such as health, education, and resilient infrastructures, amplifying the collective global endeavor to navigate the path toward a more sustainable future.

Water Governance: Challenges and Prospects for the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal Six in Nigeria

The primary objective of this study is to review all Nigerian National Water and Sanitation Policies implemented since 1993. The aim is to assess their performance, efficiency, and alignment with the targets set forth in UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6). This review provides a contextual understanding of the challenges and opportunities for implementing SDG 6 in Nigeria. We conducted a critical appraisal and qualitative analysis of the 2016 Nigerian National Water Resources Policy, the most recently published policy, in relation to the targets of SDG 6. Our findings indicate that seven out of the eight SDG 6 targets are addressed in the policy. These include safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene, pollution reduction, water-use efficiency, trans-boundary cooperation, and protection of water-related ecosystems. However, the policy falls short in involving local communities in water and sanitation management, which is the eighth requirement of SDG 6. Specifically, only 28 states have a dedicated Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), and few local government areas have Water Supply and Sanitation Hygiene Departments (WASH) as required by SDG 6. Our assessment of the policy's implementation and practices is based on secondary data sources, notably from the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and the National Bureau of Statistics. We argue that by developing effective implementation strategies that involve local communities, the 2016 National Water Resources Policy can significantly contribute to achieving sustainable water and sanitation management for all Nigerians by 2030.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) Reporting in Provincial Regional Governments Indonesia

Purpose: This research aims to describe the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in provincial regional governments in Indonesia.   Method: The research uses secondary data from the Indonesian Central Statistics Agency with the main data being the Sustainable Development report. The research uses a descriptive quantitative approach with comparative analysis of sample averages with the achievement of sustainable development goals at the national level.   Results and conclusion:  The research results show that data on achieving sustainable development at the provincial level is very limited and there are six SDGs goals that do not have achievement data. Even though there are limited data, the available SDGs achievement data of eleven achievements shows that the average achievements of provincial regional governments are similar to the SDGs achievements at the national level.  This shows that the provincial government's policy regarding SDGs is in line with the central government. Measurement of SDGs achievements in provincial regional governments must be completed and is an obligation to be presented through the Central Statistics Agency's reporting in the future, considering that provincial regional governments' SDGs achievements are an inseparable part of national SDGs achievements.   Implications of the Research: The SDGs program at the provincial level must be improved and the formulation of measurement and implementation must be simplified so that provincial governments are able to prepare complete SDGs statistics.    Originality/value: This research reveals that the implementation of the SDGs program at the provincial level is in accordance with the implementation of the SDGs at the national level.

Features of the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals in the Regional Integration Systems of the EAEU Countries

Aim. To study the features of strategic planning and practical implementation of the concept of sustainable development of the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union, taking into account the Sustainable Development Goals in the context of the formation of a new architecture of the world structure and a change in the current world order.Tasks. Consider the essence and principles of the SDG implementation; identify the specifics of the integration of the SDGs into the national strategies of individual states of the post-Soviet space; analyze the features of the localization of SDGs at the regional level using the example of Eurasian integration; determine the role of the EAEU in the context of the formation of a multipolar world system and strengthening the its position as a macro-regional center of the power; justify the priorities for achieving the SDGs in the context of sustainable development of the EAEU.Methods. To achieve the set goals the following methodological approaches were used in the article. The constructivist approach makes it possible to determine the essence of sustainable development, its significance for society and the economy, as well as to analyze the regulatory and legal framework of the EAEU countries in this area. Comparative analysis made it possible to determine the relationship of SDGs with changed world architectures in retrospect and the current conditions. Empirical analysis makes it possible to assess the practical steps and efforts of the EAEU countries to achieve the SDGs, including the implementation of innovative projects and the rational use of the resource base.Results. Understanding and regulation of sustainable development in the EAEU is justified. The study made it possible to establish that the countries of the Union attach importance to sustainable development, but at the legislative level there remains a problem of insufficient consistency of regulatory legal acts on this topic. This highlights the need for a clearer and more concrete regulatory framework for sustainable development. The study allowed to analyze the impact of globalization on the world and regional structure. It is argued, that the EAEU, as a regional association, has a unique opportunity to gain a foothold as one of the macro-regions in the multipolar world system. This provides strategic advantages in the context of a change in the world order on the way to multipolarity.Conclusions. The study identified a number of priority tasks contributing to the achievement of the SDGs in the context of the sustainable development of the EAEU. The most important factors in this context are: food independence, energy sustainability, strengthening economic integration, infrastructure development, focus on hard innovation and digitalization.

STRATEGIC CONTROLLING TOOLS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF UKRAINIAN AGRICULTURAL COMPANIES

The subject of the study is the system of strategic control in an organisation, which is necessary for agri-food companies in the context of implementing the principles of sustainable development. Methodology. The following economic research methods were used in the study: monographic method (when studying scientific sources and reviewing thematic literature; studying the directions of sustainable development of business entities in the agri-food sector of Ukraine); scientific abstraction and generalisation (when studying various methodological approaches to determining the content of controlling); abstract and logical method (when determining the role and place of strategic controlling in the management system of agri-food companies, formulating conclusions based on the results of the study); methods of analysis and synthesis (when substantiating a set of tools for strategic controlling by elements of its system). The aim of the study is to supplement the methodological framework of the strategic controlling system for managing companies in the agri-food sector. Results. Controlling is an important management function, and its effectiveness determines the success of an organisation in achieving its goals and objectives. In modern conditions, strategic controlling can be combined with two main approaches – as a management philosophy and as a management function and mechanism. The system of strategic controlling is determined by a set of complex factors of the external and internal environment that determine the possibility of achieving the long-term goals and objectives. The implementation of sustainable development goals and objectives by agri-food companies creates new requirements for the strategic controlling system, the main of which are transparency, flexibility, inclusiveness, openness and efficiency. In order to successfully achieve the planned targets of sustainable development, the strategic controlling system should use a set of tools that is determined by the nature and effect of the relevant elements. It is proposed to use benchmarking, ABC-analysis, SWOT-analysis, PESTEL-analysis, methods of expert evaluation, CVP-analysis, financial analysis, network graphs and methods of expert forecasting as the main tools for strategic controlling of agri-food companies.

Between Global Expectations for Sustainability and Local Feasibility—A Comparative Analysis of Three Biosphere Reserves in Germany and France

As “learning places for sustainable development”, UNESCO biosphere reserves are specifically dedicated to sustainability. The Lima Action Plan of 2016 resolved to position the biosphere reserves more prominently as model regions in order to fulfill UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, the question remains how and to what extent this resolution has been implemented and the ideal of sustainability filled with life at the local level. Based on surveys of municipal actors and fifteen in-depth interviews with political decision-makers, this article compares three adjacent Western European biosphere reserves, the Palatinate Forest, Northern Vosges, and Bliesgau, with regard to local initiatives aimed at fulfilling the overall task of sustainable development. The results show—besides generalized statements on the relevance of sustainability—that municipal politics is only, to a limited extent, guided by the requirements of concrete SDGs. Nevertheless, many of the measures implemented do ultimately reflect these goals. Along with specific ecological and climatic projects, these comprise future-oriented settlement policies and educational activities undertaken by the biosphere reserves and their municipalities. In this context, improved communication with local councils and residents might well lead to more effectively structured implementation of SDGs.

Solar Energy in Indonesia: The Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals for Net Zero Emissions

Renewable energy transition from fossil to renewable energy is the focus of countries worldwide. Indonesia, as the largest country in ASEAN and has quite good economic growth, is also focusing on the issue of energy tourism. President Jokowi is trying to approach several countries with the same renewable energy commitment to realize Net Zero Emission (NZE). However, this research focuses more on solar energy related to the availability of sunlight in tropical climates such as Indonesia. Based on the concept used in this research, namely SDG pin 7, partnership in the field of solar energy continues to be carried out. The solar energy transition in Indonesia has yet to be fully realized. However, by 2026, it is hoped that it can be implemented despite several obstacles the government and stakeholders face. The method uses qualitative methods because the data is obtained from published scientific research on renewable energy and interviews with stakeholders. This research aims to continue to realize the transition from fossil energy to renewable energy to reach the NZE.

Implementation of sustainable development goals in higher education modalities: Literature review

Implementation of sustainable development goals in higher education modalities: Literature review

The Impact of Economic Security on Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Central and Eastern Europe – from the Financial Crisis to the COVID–19 Pandemic

The article’s main aim is to assess the impact of economic security on sustainable entrepreneurship in Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs), including Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia from 2008 to 2020. The paper’s novelty is the development of indicators of sustainable entrepreneurship and its three pillars: economic, social and environmental. Moreover, we assessed the impact of economic security on sustainable entrepreneurship and conducted a comparative analysis of its consequences on the economic, social and environmental components of entrepreneurship. We use the Pearson correlation coefficient, the Ordinary Least Square Method, and the SUR estimations for structural equations. The results of the analysis indicate that sustainable entrepreneurship and economic security in the analysed countries are growing. However, their dynamics are varied, and what is more, economic security has a statistically significant impact on sustainable entrepreneurship. The impact of economic security on sustainable entrepreneurship from 2008 to 2020 is highest in Slovakia, Bulgaria and Poland. The lowest is in Latvia, Romania and Czechia. We notice that pursuing a stable and responsible macroeconomic policy affects the implementation of sustainable development goals. It is important to create the best conditions for growth in the long term, which is a challenge because of the problem of finding optimal relationships between factors that determine economic security.

Research on environment and sustainable development education under the background of green ecology

Abstract The implementation of environmental and sustainable development goal (SDG) education helps to cultivate people's awareness of environmental protection and the concept of SDG, and is conducive to the protection and management of the environment. However, due to the weak awareness of education and lack of environmental protection knowledge in the environment and SDG education, environmental protection work has been affected. Therefore, this article proposed the implementation strategy of environment and SDG education from the perspective of green ecology. This research utilized datasets agricultural biomass accumulated from five cities of Guandong (i.e., Foshan [F], Heshan [H], Nanxiong [N], and Shantou [S]) province, China. Through experimental research, the utilization rate of agricultural waste and utilization ratio of straw was explored by using data envelopment analysis, and then, the environmental awareness of students and the environmental education level of teachers under the environmental and SDG education strategies of green ecological concept were combined. The results showed that the proportion of straw waste biomass utilization in S city was the highest among the four cities; the implementation strategy of environment and SDG education proposed in this article can enhance students’ awareness of environmental protection by 5.21% and improve environmental education level of teachers by 9.51%.

Using artificial intelligence to implement the UN sustainable development goals at higher education institutions

ABSTRACT Artificial intelligence (AI) can significantly contribute to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by offering innovative solutions and enhancing the efficiency of processes aimed at achieving these goals. There is a perceived need for studies which may look at these connections. Against this background, this paper reports on a study that investigated the connections between artificial intelligence and the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at higher education institutions. The paper deployed a multi-methods approach. The first one was a bibliometric analysis of publications in the topic. The second method used was an assessment of a set of case studies, that illustrate how artificial intelligence is being deployed among a sample of universities in support of efforts to implement the SDGs and a survey aimed at identifying current and future trends. The data gathered allow some trends to be identified. For instance, that there is a wide range of applications of AI to sustainability in High Education Institutions (HEI), to be chosen in terms of campus operations and greening, outreach and community engagement, research, teaching and learning, and university management. Also, the paper has identified successful examples of the deployment of AI in various sustainability contexts, illustrating what are the success factors for them. Moreover, the survey identified the fact that the use of AI is quite widely spread, and is likely to increase in coming years, due to a greater demand. Finally, AI also poses several challenges, such as authenticity and ethics in assessment (case studies), ‘lack of access to software/materials’, and ‘lack of information technology training for myself/my colleagues’ (survey). Overall, AI offers a powerful toolset to accelerate and enhance the implementation of the UN SDGs. By analysing vast datasets, predicting outcomes, optimising processes, and providing new insights, AI has the potential to address complex sustainability challenges across various sectors.

Fast-tracking action on the Sustainable Development Goals by enhancing national institutional arrangements.

Six years remain to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite some progress, institutional effectiveness for SDG achievement has not been delivered at a national level. Identification and establishment of an institutional framework to operationalise the 2030 Agenda within national plans, giving science-based coordination of SDG implementation a central role, is urgently required to accelerate progress. This paper tackles this challenge. Drawing on literature analysis, it asks: 1) What are the deficiencies in institutional national arrangements that hinder SDG implementation? 2) How can existing institutional deficiencies in SDG implementation be addressed? and 3) How can institutional changes support fast-tracking of SDG implementation processes at national level? Findings show that country-specific horizontal institutional arrangements are usually advanced. However, national visions to improve mainstreaming across decision-making at different levels to enable whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches to SDG implementation are commonly under-developed. Deficiencies are due to poor systematic engagement of scientific and technical expertise in operational day-to-day communication, as well as in the design, validation, implementation, monitoring and reporting of domestic SDG-related multi-stakeholder actions. Vertical institutional arrangements are complex, and risk resource-consuming, uncoordinated implementation. Our analyses suggest countries may benefit from establishing a national, centralised independent scientific and technical coordinating body for SDG implementation at national level, within existing science-based institutional arrangements. Such a body would not be led by governmental processes but would provide technical support to government agencies. We argue that scientific and technical skills in data and information management and quality control are central to coordinated and evidence-informed support, and could help to accelerate national SDG implementation. Such a supporting body would also enable a more joined-up approach between stakeholders working in the areas of science and technology, government and practice, improving orchestrated science-based actions and their auditing across sectors and stakeholder communities at national and sub-national levels. It would further guide actions to reduce trade-offs within national sustainable development aspirations, and would facilitate consideration of diverse values in advancing towards a durable and just transformative future. Such efforts are vital given the rapidly closing window of time for SDG achievement.

EU Cooperation Programmes for Central Asia: New Challenges and Responses

This article aims to analyse EU cooperation programmes for Central Asia, placing emphasis on the importance of cross-regional cooperation in creating a favourable environment for business development and foreign investment, aligning those cooperation programmes with the UN Sustainable development agenda and the implementation of the universal Sustainable Development goals. The author highlights regional and local social and institutional characteristics focusing on EU-Central Asia cooperation. The article assesses the importance of cross-regional cooperation in creating a favourable environment for both business development and foreign investment, and provides analysis on EU-Kazakhstan cooperation. The author applies the monographic method, as well as the graphical method, secondary data analysis, and the qualitative method in the form of an expert interview. The author concludes that the relationship between the European Union and Central Asia is of global significance and their ties are likely to increase in strength in the future bearing in mind, notably, Russia’s and China’s interest in retaining Central Asian countries within their own sphere of political and economic influence. The author puts forward proposals that additional EU multidimension external programmes are paramount for the EU’s and Central Asia’s productive relations.

Evaluating the Sustainable Development Goals within Spatial Planning for Decision-Making: A Major Function-Oriented Zone Planning Strategy in China

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) serve as a reference point in the global policy-making process, with their quantitative evaluation at various scales integrating spatial planning still under exploration. Major Function Oriented Zone (MFOZ) planning in China emerges as an innovative strategy, focusing on ecosystem services to achieve sustainable development. This study takes MFOZ planning as an example, and assesses SDG implementation within the MFOZ framework, focusing on 288 cities. Then, this study analyzes the zoning types of SDG realization status through cluster analysis. Based on this, we explore the influencing factors of the SDGs from the perspective of socioeconomic and environmental characteristics, and ecosystem services, and propose target strategies. The research found that there are four zoning types according to the SDG realization status, including mixed-oriented with high consumption and output (24.3%), non-agriculture-oriented with low consumption and high output (12.5%), agriculture-oriented with low consumption and output (55.9%), and agriculture-oriented with high consumption and output (7.3%) cities. Most cities do not demonstrate high efficiency in resource consumption output, and the realization status of SDGs urgently needs to improve. Socio-economic development during urbanization challenges SDGs, while the traditional environmental measures have limited effects. Ecosystem services could help improve SDGs, including GDP growth rate, and reduce water resource development intensity and carbon emissions. Focusing solely on numerical values of SDGs, such as water efficiency, may harm ecosystem services and go against sustainable development. This research underscores the necessity of adapting SDG strategies to the unique contexts of cities and has practical significance for enabling more targeted and effective strategies for SDG implementation, integrating spatial planning, and aligning local efforts with global sustainability aspirations.

Regionalizing the Sustainable Development Goals for Island Societies: Lessons From Iceland and Newfoundland

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a framework that makes the concept of “sustainable development” more actionable. The nature of island societies — where political jurisdictions overlap in complex ways with land and oceanic ecologies — makes the question of who is responsible for SDG implementation and governance particularly important. We compare SDG interpretations and perceptions of SDG governance in Iceland and Newfoundland using survey and focus group data with stakeholders from government, business, labour, civil society, academia, and youth. Our research questions are as follows: How do research participants view the SDGs in relation to ensuring sustainable futures for their respective island societies? How do research participants view the roles of government and other institutions in implementing sustainability? Answering these questions gives insight into a third theoretically valuable question: Is it the state versus subnational jurisdiction distinction, or is it the common small polity/island dynamics of these cases that is important for understanding the interpretations of the SDGs and their implementation? The interpretations of regionalizing and localizing the SDGs are similar across our two cases, which lends support to a small polity/islandness view of how the SDGs are translated for island societies.

Environmental outlook of ASEAN-5 through the lens of green bonds, environmental technologies and financialization

Sustainable development goals call for urgent action with an aim to spur socio-economic growth along with the protection of the environment and resources. However, these goals are difficult to be achieved when finances are not mobilized to mitigate harmful resources. In return, numerous green bond manifestations appeared in the market, which are viewed as a bridge to have successful implementation of sustainable development goals. Therefore, the study is aimed to explore the relevance of green bonds, financialization, and sustainable environmental change mitigation technologies for environmental change in ASEAN economies. The initial outcomes confirm the long-run cointegration association between study variables and also explore the slope heterogeneity and cross-sectional dependencies. To explore the causal connections between the study variables, the current study employs CS-ARDL technique. The study finds significant contributions of sustainable environmental change mitigation technologies and green bonds in the reduction of pollution, hence improving climate quality. The short-run infers similar results with relatively lower magnitudes of coefficients as compared to the long-run. Negative error correction terms are used to confirm the stability of the model, which implies sustained convergence towards “steady-state equilibrium” in case of expected deviations. The results offer practical implications and recommendations.

Performance of Women-led Political Parties in Lesotho’s 2022 National Elections

Since the dawn of multi-party democracy in Lesotho in 1993, few political parties have been formed and led by women, and they are not doing well. The main political parties lack the political will and commitment to nominate women as leaders. In the elections of 7 October 2022, none of the main political parties were led by women  and none of them won a single constituency. While many women-led parties could not make it into parliament, a few women leaders got into parliament through Proportional Representation (PR). Four women-led political parties contested the election, all of them performing dismally. It is important to explore why women-led political parties did not perform well, as Lesotho has signed and ratified international protocols on women’s empowerment and equality in politics, among others, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution 1325, the African Union (AU) Maputo Protocol, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) protocol on gender and development. All these urge member states to ensure meaningful participation of women in politics and elections, specifically as leaders. We assess the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 5) on gender equality and women empowerment to measure the progress Lesotho has made and the challenges yet to be addressed. This article explores factors that contributed to this poor performance and analyses the reasons for the poor performance by reviewing relevant documents regarding the performance of women-led political parties in Lesotho’s 2022 national elections.

Relevance of Inclusive Finance with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Perspective of Maqashid Sharia

This research aims to find out the right financing scheme so that the implementation of SDGs is more optimal and beneficial for small communities. inclusive financial contributions (zakat, infak and alms) in realizing SDGs and their relevance in realizing SDGs from a sharia maqashid perspective. This study uses a combination of qualitative-quantitative methods and approaches. Quantitative data analysis used is a method of tabulation, composing coding and score of variables. While qualitative data analysis includes the stage of data reduction, presentation and withdrawal of conclusions The results of this study show that the implementation of SDGs is carried out by a joint financing scheme through government and non-government budgets, one of which is through the distribution of zakat. The contribution of zakat in the implementation of SDGs has been carried out by the National Zakat Agency (Baznas) in the form of independence programs, religious education, health and social care. The relevance of zakat in realizing SDGs with Sharia Maqashid is shown in aid programs organized by Baznas such as the Program (1) eliminating poverty, (2) ending hunger, (3) good health and well-being, (4) quality education, and (5) clean water and sanitation relevant to the SDGs Program.