Sustainable Development Indicators Research Articles

A Multi-Scale Evaluation Model of Sustainable Development Goal 11.7 for Problem-Solving at Different Levels

Sustainable Development Goal 11.7 (SDG 11.7) aims to promote the improvement of urban public spaces. However, the localization process of SDG 11.7 mainly relies on a bottom-up problem-solving approach, which fails to fully encompass the connotation of SDG 11.7. Additionally, existing evaluations primarily focus on a single scale, neglecting the impact of scale issues. These limitations can lead to imbalanced development or misallocation of responsibilities when guiding governments at different levels in promoting the sustainable development of public spaces. Therefore, this article introduces a multi-scale assessment model of SDG 11.7. It employs a top-down problem-solving approach to construct a sustainable development indicator framework, setting appropriate sustainable development indicators for various levels of government based on the connotation of SDG 11.7, and generates city-scale results by integrating three scales: apartment complexes, street blocks, and counties. Testing this model in Xi’an, China, revealed that it adequately captures four key aspects of SDG 11.7—safety, inclusiveness, accessibility, and greenness—through 11 indicators. The evaluation outcomes at the apartment complex, street block, and county levels effectively guide future development directions for various levels of government. Ultimately, the synthesis of these scales reveals the spatial pattern of SDG 11.7 at the city scale and identifies focal areas for development. Overall, this exploratory model demonstrates high accuracy and robustness, providing a comprehensive understanding of the essence of SDG 11.7. It also alleviates challenges posed by scale issues, offering decision support for monitoring SDG 11.7 across different levels of government in Chinese cities and promoting the process of sustainable development.

SDGs-centric approach to strategic planning of community development

The research of the community growth and the formation of strategies for their development in the context of an approach focused on achieving sus­tainable development goals have been conduc­ted. The problems of the sustainable community deve­lopment and their crucial understanding of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at all levels of management have been considered. The research is based on the hypothesis that taking into account the features of the Central Development Center approach to the strategic planning of the community development in Ukraine will lead to the improvement of sustainable development indicators at the current stage of the community growth and the sustainable development of Ukraine. Such research methods were used, as: assessment of qualitative, quantitative and social indicators, as well as methods of positional analysis, focus groups, diagnostic interviews, ex­pert assessments, measurement and comparison, system analysis and modeling. The basic concepts and components of sustainable development were analyzed. It has been proposed to define the features of the Central Development Center-cen­tered approach to the strategic planning of com­munity development. The role of intersectoral cooperation between local authorities, business and civil society in the context of achieving the SDGs was considered in detail. The article focuses on the integration of environmental, social and economic aspects into strategic planning, and ex­plores the problems and challenges faced by communities in implementing these approaches. The importance of building the institutional capa­city of communities for the effective imple­men­tation of the SDGs and their adaptation to the changing conditions of the post-war period was sepa­rately emphasized. Recommendations were given for improving the methods of monitoring and evaluating the SDGs achievement at the local level. It is substantiated that only in the presence of a high-quality strategy, joint efforts and mutual understanding of all stakeholders it is possible to achieve the goal of "rebuilding better than it was". It was emphasized that the reconstruction of the country should be carried out by joint efforts, on the basis of transparency, innovation and strategic vision. The leadership role of communities in the Ukrainian post-war reconstruction was defined, the significance of state regional policy and the Road Map adoption of decentralization, as well as the consideration of the need to achieve the sustainable development goals in communities, were revealed. The ranking of the sustainable deve­lop­ment goals for the communities of Vinnytsia was carried out

The Financial Challenges of Developing Countries for Climate Change Mitigation and Sustainable Development Under UN Agenda 2030

The study seeks to analyze the financial obstacles confronting poor nations in mitigating the effects of climate change and shifting towards sustainable development trajectories, as outlined in the 2030 Agenda. The paper examines Iraq to highlight difficulties and possibilities pertinent to its context, while the analysis and policy implications extend to several other nations in other areas with analogous concerns. The study employs a quantitative analytical methodology using secondary data on sustainable development indicators, emissions, mortality rates, and finance sources for a sample of 18 developing nations from 2010 to 2020, together with projected data for specific economic indicators extending to 2050. The findings indicate that emerging nations, particularly impoverished ones, would encounter the most significant dangers from climate change while not being accountable for its causation. Developing nations are experiencing escalating environmental concerns due to climate change, including floods, droughts, pollution, desertification, and declining water levels. Consequently, these nations must intensify their efforts to address these difficulties and develop measures to safeguard the environment and natural resources. Numerous developing nations depend significantly on the agricultural sector for revenue and employment, confronting emerging difficulties from climate change that result in diminished agricultural output and land degradation, impacting food security and the local economy. Climate change may adversely affect emerging nations' economies, leading to agricultural land degradation and heightened expenses for infrastructure reconstruction.

Monitoring and assessing of sustainable development in the urban area of Ouagadougou based on SDG 11.3.1 indicator and the city biodiversity index

Urban growth can induce changes in the use and transformation of urban land. In the context of rapid urbanization, monitoring key indicators of sustainable development is essential. The aim of this study was to monitor and assess the level of sustainable development in the city of Ouagadougou between 2002 and 2022, based on global indicators such as Sustainable Development Goal 11.3.1 indicator and the Singapore City Biodiversity Index. A remote sensing and Geographic Information System approach was used to acquire and analyze open-source geospatial data. The results show an increasing inefficiency in land use, with excessive consumption to population growth until 2013. Between 2013 and 2022, this trend declined, but urban biodiversity nevertheless decreased significantly, with a 40% loss of natural areas between 2002 and 2022. Fragmentation of natural areas, due to infrastructure development, has amplified this degradation, posing ecological risks to the city. This study underlines the importance of strengthening the ecological connectivity of urban spaces to improve their sustainability and resilience. It also recommends reorienting urban strategies by integrating nature-based solutions and placing biodiversity preservation at the heart of sustainable urban development policies.

Социально-этический маркетинг как инструмент реализации концепции устойчивого развития социально ответственной организации

The issues of using the concept of sustainable development in the management practice of modern enterprises and organizations focused on development and permanent strategic growth are updated. The indicators of sustainable development of an economic entity in the trinity of economic, social and environmental indicators are presented. It is determined that the concept of socio-ethical marketing implemented by the organization as a tool of a socially responsible organization maximally contributes to achieving the goals of a progressive modern concept. The analysis of the tools of social and ethical marketing of the EFKO Group of Companies (EFKO Group) of the Belgorod region, one of the largest food companies in the Russian Federation, a leader in the fat and oil industry market, guided in its activities by the principles inherent in the concept of sustainable development. The dynamics of the main indicators of the Group's economic activity against the background of permanent investments in the implementation of social and ethical activities is presented. The correlation of the value of social investments (expenses for social and ethical marketing) and the value of sales (revenue) of EFKO Group indicates a close relationship between the analyzed indicators. The profit forecast using the exponential smoothing method against the background of growing social investments and social and ethical activity of EFKO Group proves the expediency (including economic) of implementing social and ethical marketing and defines this toolkit as contributing to the growth of the organization's competitiveness not only through active marketing activities, but also through the formation and maintaining a positive image and business reputation of the company; strengthening the image of a socially oriented employer, which is confirmed by the results of independent comparative studies and assessment of the investment and credit attractiveness of companies in the market.

Unpacking the economic impact of tourism: A multidimensional approach to sustainable development

While the literature has extensively explored the advantages and drawbacks of tourism, as well as attempts to establish connections between growth/development and tourism, comprehensive studies addressing the sustainable development impact of tourism remain scarce. Addressing this gap, our investigation focuses on understanding the association between tourism and the achievement of sustainable development goals. Using a panel dataset encompassing 160 economies from 1995 to 2019, we explore the link between two distinct measures of tourism (tourist arrivals as a fraction of total population and tourism revenue as a percentage of total exports) and various indicators of sustainable development, encompassing health, economy, education, social progress, and the environment. Our findings reveal a significant interaction between tourism and sustainable development, with the relationship notably differing between developed and developing economies, particularly in light of GDP per capita. Our research addresses a critical gap in existing literature by focusing on the sustainable development implications of tourism, an area where comprehensive studies remain scarce. By analyzing the complex relationship between tourism and sustainable development across diverse economies, our study provides valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders seeking to navigate the challenges of balancing economic growth with environmental and social sustainability.

A multi-criteria measurement and assessment of human capital development in EU-27 countries: A 10-year perspective

In today's global economy and across various types of organizations, human capital is a fundamental resource that determines their existence and development. This is particularly important in the context of ongoing climate-technological transformation processes based on innovative solutions. The role and importance of personal resources are well understood in the EU-27 countries, which base their future on competent human capital. This paper addresses this critical and timely topic by assessing human capital in the EU-27 countries over the period 2013–2022. The research aims to evaluate these countries' human capital potential, distinguishing between the "new EU-13" and the "old EU-14" countries, and to measure the effectiveness of its development during the study period. A crucial part of the research was to determine the impact of human capital on selected indicators of economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development. To achieve these objectives, an original research methodology was developed, employing the COPRAS method to determine the human capital assessment index and the equal weights and CRITIC methods to establish the weights of indicators characterizing the studied human capital. The impact assessment of this capital, along with innovation and unemployment on economic growth, was conducted using an econometric model. Meanwhile, correlations between the human capital assessment index and the indicators characterizing innovation, economic growth, and sustainability were analyzed using Spearman's non-parametric tests. The results show significant variation in human capital between the EU-27 countries and between the "old EU-14" and "new EU-13" groups. The Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden achieved the best results in terms of human capital development, while Greece, Romania, and Bulgaria had the weakest outcomes. In contrast, Cyprus, Malta, and Portugal recorded the greatest progress during the review period. These results offer extensive opportunities for multidimensional inference and can be used to assess the current state of the EU-27 economy. They should also inform the development of strategies for individual countries and the EU-27 as a whole.

Density as an indicator of sustainable urban development: insights from Helsinki?

ABSTRACT Densification has become a dominant strategy for sustainable urban development in recent decades, viewed as a main antidote to urban sprawl and essential for achieving a range of urban qualities from economic to ecological. Despite its prominence as an indicator and driver of sustainable development, measuring density in a meaningful way poses significant challenges. Arbitrary metrics often overlook the complexity of density and its associations, leading to potential unintended outcomes in density-driven planning. Using the Helsinki region as a case study, this article demonstrates the sensitivity of density measurements to minor changes in reference areas and calculation units, highlighting how different types of density can loosely relate to each other. Our findings underscore the importance of precise methodological choices in avoiding misguided planning decisions and policy advice that could compromise sustainability goals, revealing the complex dynamics of infill and edge growth often obscured in regional density measures.

Методические подходы к анализу и оценке устойчивого развития регионов Российской Федерации

The purpose of the study is to test a methodology for assessing sustainability as a factor in the sustainable development of the economy of the regions of the Russian Federation (macro-economies), based on the calculation of integral indicators of sustainable development. Objects of research: The Russian Federation and its regions: Kemerovo (Kuzbass), Novosibirsk and Omsk. The indicators characterizing the sustainable development of the region are summarized into groups characterizing the economic, social, environmental, territorial, demographic and technological aspects of the development of the regions and the country. The research was based on statistical data, government reports and analytical studies. As a result of the study, data characterizing the weaknesses and strengths of the economies of the regions under consideration were obtained, which made it possible to develop proposals for achieving more sustainable development.

THE CURRENT STATE OF AGRICULTURAL LAND USE IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

This article discusses the rational use of agricultural land, taking into account structural and resource indicators for sustainable development. The effectiveness of land use in farms with different forms of land ownership depends on increasing labor productivity, strengthening the economy regime, increasing the intensification of production, using internal reserves and opportunities for agricultural production and, especially, rational use of land. The basis for the formation of sustainable land use should be strict observance of the established relationships between disturbed and undisturbed territories. Undisturbed territories should be considered as a stabilizing factor neutralizing anthropogenic impacts on the landscape. In this regard, the tasks of preserving productive agricultural land, optimizing arable land and acreage in terms of quantitative and qualitative characteristics of land are becoming a priority. The solution of these tasks is connected with the improvement of technologies for maintaining and increasing the bioproductivity of agricultural lands, the development of technologies for rational land management, land use and land protection, the creation of effective organizational and legal mechanisms for managing agricultural lands, as well as the development of state monitoring of agricultural lands. In order to approach the practice of determining the efficiency of land use, it is necessary to focus in more detail on its factors according to the selected functional subsystems and types of efficiency.

Sustainable education index and copper trade interconnections

The trend in copper trade raises significant concerns regarding global mineral resource sustainability. This study investigates how sustainable education impacts copper trade in China, analyzing data from 1990 to 2021. Findings reveal that a 1% increase in the Sustainable Development Index leads to a reduction in copper trade: exports decrease by 0.14%–0.27% and imports by 0.35%–0.57%, highlighting the negative influence of sustainable education on trade. GDP growth positively affects copper trade, while the official exchange rate impacts exports and imports differently due to currency fluctuations. Urbanization boosts both exports and imports, driven by infrastructure expansion. Additionally, loans to the private sector specifically enhance copper imports. To foster sustainable copper trade, China should invest in sustainable education, promote gender equality in education, encourage green economic growth, implement an effective carbon tax, and provide green loans for the copper sector.

The Influence of Policy Investment on the Sustainable Development of Universities in Underdeveloped Regions: An Empirical Analysis of China’s Higher Education Landscape

The regional disparity in higher education development is critical for the sustainable advancement of the national education system. To address this issue, the Chinese government has implemented targeted support policies for higher education in underdeveloped regions, with the “Ministry-Province Co-construction Policy” serving as a notable example. This study investigates the impact of such policies on the development of universities in China’s underdeveloped central and western regions. First, the study analyzes policy documents to identify six primary policy pathways through high-frequency word extraction, social semantic analysis, and path integration. These policy pathways are quantified using representative indicators, which constitute the independent variables of the study. Second, by employing the framework of modern university functions, the study develops a sustainable development indicator system for higher education institutions. The performance scores for the sustainable development of 14 universities, derived using the entropy method, serve as the dependent variables. The study subsequently measures the effects of individual and combined policy pathways through two equations. The results indicate that some pathways are more effective than others. While all combined policy pathways yield positive effects, an excessive number of combinations can lead to diminishing returns. Finally, the study elucidates the measurement results, emphasizing that effective pathways highlight the essential roles of faculty, research, and teaching. Conversely, less effective pathways stem from inadequate inputs or slow responses. Although combined policy pathways generally exert positive impacts, an overabundance of combinations can dilute these benefits. The study suggests that administrative support for higher education in underdeveloped regions is advantageous. It underscores the necessity of distinguishing between more and less effective input methods, concentrating on resource allocation, and ensuring universities’ autonomy in utilizing support resources to achieve sustainable development in higher education within these regions.

Energy security indicators for sustainable energy development: Application to electricity sector in the context of state economic decisions

Energy security indicators for sustainable energy development: Application to electricity sector in the context of state economic decisions

Green credit’s impact on pollution and economic development: A study from Vietnam

Vietnam is actively pursuing sustainable economic development while transitioning to a greener economy, facing challenges in balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability. The evaluation of current sustainable development efforts and the identification of effective green financial tools are critical for Vietnam's progress. This study introduces the Sustainable Economic Development (SED) Index, a comprehensive measure of sustainable economic development quality across Vietnam's 63 provinces from 2015 to 2022. Using a range of analytical techniques, we explore the relationships between green credit, environmental pollution, and sustainable economic development during this period. Our findings indicate rapid growth in sustainable economic development until 2019, followed by a deceleration due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war. Green credit emerges as a pivotal factor in supporting sustainable economic growth, managing climate risks, and mitigating environmental pollution, particularly during times of uncertainty. Additionally, we observe spatial spillover effects, where the benefits of green credit and the challenges of environmental pollution transcend provincial boundaries. The study recommends promoting green credit policies, fostering regional cooperation, and enhancing local competitiveness, digital transformation, and social equality to advance Vietnam's journey toward sustainable economic development.

Sustainable Spatial Development of Multifunctional Villages: A Case Study of Eastern Poland

The decline in the role of agriculture as the basis for the livelihood of rural residents has led to the development of new directions for rural transformation. In Poland, the concept of multifunctional development has gained the most popularity. However, it does not have a defined spatial development model. There has also been no research into how the development of non-agricultural functions affects spatial development and to what extent this development is sustainable. Therefore, the aim of this study is to show and compare the changes that have taken place over the last 40–50 years in the spatial arrangements of development in traditional agricultural villages and in villages with different non-agricultural functions (tourist, industrial, and service functions). At the same time, we want to indicate which of these functions have contributed to the development of the most sustainable spatial arrangements. To this end, we selected three indicators of sustainable development of rural space: compactness of buildings, continuation of traditional rural layouts, and availability of services, and then carried out an analysis of changes in these indicators on the basis of archival and current cartographic materials and data on service facilities. We conducted the research for four municipalities in eastern Poland (50 villages). The results indicate the predominance of negative spatial phenomena such as the deterioration of the accessibility of services and spatial development contrary to historical spatial layouts. There is a spillover of development in the form of discontinuous, chaotic clusters of buildings often having the character of suburbia and, consequently, the disappearance of village centres, worsening walkability, and blurring of village boundaries. The only positive change is an increase in the compactness of buildings—mainly in villages that previously had a dispersed character. It is difficult to identify village functions that would unequivocally favour spatial sustainability. The service villages showed slight advantages in terms of social (availability of services) and environmental (compactness of buildings) factors. In contrast, the development of agricultural villages was more favourable in cultural terms (traditional village layouts). In all aspects, negative changes were recorded in industrial villages and (the worst results) in tourist villages. However, the trends were similar in all municipalities, which draws attention primarily to the lack of a rational spatial policy related to multifunctional village development.

The understanding of the agriculturally shaped environment: from the theoretical construct to an applied indicator of sustainable development

Sustainable development of the resource ‘land’ is increasingly being discussed with a focus on rural areas. Understanding is key to solving land use conflicts. It can lead to joint solutions and can thus enable sustainable development at a practical level. It goes beyond environmental consciousness, which is related to general issues, and instead aims to address concrete challenges in the context of sustainable development at an applicable level. ‘Understanding’ with regard to land use conflicts has not yet been defined in the literature. Based on this motivation, it is the aim of this study to create the construct of ‘understanding’ conceptually, to validate it empirically with structural equation modelling, and to demonstrate that understanding might be an important prerequisite for sustainable development. In this case, the focus is not on a general kind of understanding, but rather on specific aspects of understanding in relation to the agriculturally shaped environment in rural areas. The empirical data for the paper were collected by means of a large-scale population survey in Western Pomerania, Germany, a rural peripheral region characterized by typical land-use conflicts in predominantly rural areas. A tripartite division of the construct into cognitive, emotional, and opinion levels was derived theoretically. The construct is supported empirically and that it can be applied as an SDG indicator. Thus, the refined construct of understanding the agriculturally shaped environment can make a substantial contribution towards closing the knowledge/attitude-behavior gap.

Методичний підхід до оцінювання соціальної відповідальності підприємства в умовах інноваційності бізнесу

The article is devoted to developing a methodological approach to assessing the social responsibility of an enterprise in the context of business innovation. It is noted that corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a dynamic process of innovation that transforms social needs into new business opportunities. CSR can be considered a set of states that reflect the constant renewal and improvement of an enterprise’s social practices. In the context of innovative business, social responsibility acts as a strategic direction of development that allows an enterprise to achieve economic goals and solve urgent social problems that contribute to creating a sustainable competitive advantage through satisfying social needs. It is proved that CSR acts as an evolutionary characteristic of a business entity that requires systematic monitoring to determine the adequacy of its manifestations and is integrated into the system of indicators of sustainable development of enterprises, covering economic, environmental, and social aspects of the functioning of the enterprise, and is reflected in the results of regular dialogue with external stakeholders. As an integral part of strategic management, SVP is subject to constant updating and adaptation to changes in the external environment, and the procedure for determining its level is proposed to be carried out according to the appropriate algorithm, which allows making final decisions on a set of measures to increase the level of SVP. An object-subject approach to the mechanism for forming information support for social responsibility of transport enterprises in the context of business innovation is substantiated, which allows considering this approach as the interaction of various elements of the system, determining the main subjects and their functions, identifying objects of information support, determining mechanisms for interaction between subjects and objects, ensuring effective communication between all stakeholders on issues of social responsibility and using the information obtained to make informed decisions on the further development of social responsibility of enterprises. Conclusions. The proposed methodological approach to assessing the social responsibility of enterprises is an integral part of modern business (especially in the context of its innovativeness), as it allows for an objective assessment of the social responsibility of enterprises regardless of their size, creates a basis for comparison, which helps enterprises identify their strengths and weaknesses in the social sphere, develop effective strategies for ensuring a high level of competitiveness, which contributes to the sustainable development of enterprises. Keywords: enterprise, social responsibility, stakeholders, approach, business innovativeness.

The contribution of macroeconomic indicators to the attainment of economic development objectives in some western ASIAN countries

This study looks at how macroeconomic variables affect poverty, unemployment, and economic growth in seven Western Asian nations. We used 18 years of data (2003-2020) using a generalized moment analysis method, although experience has varied significantly in different countries as well as between different regions. The development and effective implementation of policies to accelerate employment growth are essential to success on a continent that still has an exceptionally high rate of poverty. These policies will allow us to address the persistent problems of unemployment and poverty. In developing an appropriate policy, countries need to take into account the universal acceleration of trends towards closer integration of the world economy and the rapid pace of liberalization as national economies move increasingly towards a market economy. According to our findings, poverty, unemployment, and economic growth are all significantly impacted by sustainable development indices. During the study period, investment and the activity rate were two of the primary factors influencing economic growth. Western Asian countries should improve the quality of their institutions and their capacity to adapt and acquire new skills. Trade and globalization should not be considered in isolation. Additional policies are needed to reinforce its impact on economic growth.

The moderating role of governance on the nexus of financial crime and sustainable development

AbstractThis study aims to highlight the connection between good governance and financial crime to achieve optimal sustainable development for society. Governance issues are integral to a sustainable economy, as sustainability cannot be considered without strong measures to combat financial crime. The theoretical foundation of this relationship posits that enhanced institutional quality and laws reduce opportunities to circumvent environmental regulations, thereby improving the ecological footprint. This paper examines the moderating role of governance on the impact of four types of crime—corruption, shadow economy, money laundering, and cybercrime—on sustainable development indicators such as the Human Development Index, Environmental Performance Index, carbon dioxide emissions and greenhouse gas emissions. The sample includes 185 countries, analysed over the period from 2015 to 2022. Methodologies used range from the Pooled OLS method for panel data with interactions to panel threshold regression modelling. Our findings provide strong evidence of the mediating role of good governance in mitigating the negative impact of financial crime on sustainable development, potentially reducing it by up to half. This study offers insights into how improving governance can manage the environmental effects of financial crimes, thereby enhancing sustainable development and reducing financial and economic crime.

Operational risk management, financial sector stability and sustainable development in West Africa

Achieving sustainable development in West Africa is vital for integrating environmental, social and economic well-being in the region. This study examines the impact of operational risk management and financial sector’s stability on sustainable development in West Africa, focusing on countries that are members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) from 2015 to 2022. Data from the World Development Indicators (WDI) and country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) were analyzed using the systems GMM to control for endogeneity. The study found conflicting results for financial sector stability’s impact on adjusted net savings and the sustainable development index. While financial sector stability had a negative effect on adjusted net savings, it had a positive impact on the sustainable development index. Additionally, environmental taxes were found to contribute to sustainable development by promoting efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. In conclusion, addressing operational risks, ensuring financial sector stability and promoting sustainable development can help achieve SDGs 8, 9, and 11, creating a stable, inclusive, and resilient economic environment conducive to long-term growth and sustainability in West Africa.