Sustainable Development Goals Indicators Research Articles

Selecting indicators for measuring progress towards sustainable development goals at the global, national and corporate levels

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) guide towards sustainability across a broad palette of aspects. Since their adoption by the United Nations in 2015, many organizations have started using them to relate their own sustainability performance. However, there exists no consensus nor science-based methods for performing such assessments, hence bringing the risk of cherry-picking and arbitrary target-setting among the 17 goals and potentially compromising the robustness, usefulness, and credibility of SDG assessment. To address this, we propose a framework that enables to systematically evaluate or select indicators for assessing and monitoring SDG performance at different scales. A critical review of sustainability indicator selection criteria was performed, forming the basis for recommendations of existing criteria. Two separate applications of the framework are operationalized, namely the evaluation of existing indicator sets and the selection of new indicators, respectively. The guide is tested and demonstrated on two different proof-of-concept cases representing the global level and the company level. The results demonstrate that the proposed framework allows decision-makers to systematically evaluate and select SDG indicators for different scopes, offering stronger scientifically founded indicator sets and reducing unintentional bias. Furthermore, the framework still provides the flexibility of tailoring indicators in the selection process, allowing the user to freely select the indicators to be tested. The framework and criteria are central inputs for the indicator selection phase and represent an essential step towards a full-fledged, consistent framework for SDG performance assessments.

A DEEP LEARNING APPROACH USING VERY-HIGH SPATIAL RESOLUTION GAOFEN-2 IMAGES TO SUPPORT THE UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL INDICATOR 11.7.1 ASSESSMENT

Abstract. Since the proposal of the "2030 Agenda", the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal indicator 11.7.1 aims to calculate the accessibility and quality of urban open spaces(UOS). An accurate and rapid assessment framework of UOS is of great significance for urban sustainable development. Previous research on UOS has mainly focused on the evolution patterns of UOS, with little research on assessments of their accessibility for different population structures (i.e., men vs. women, young vs. older). In this study, a U-Net deep learning network was used for training from 3072 annotated samples of urban green spaces(UGS) which was created based on Gaofen-2 remote sensing images. The trained model was used to identify UGS within five districts of Beijing at sub-meter level, incorporated with Open Street Map and area of interest data. A spatial analysis was conducted for accessibility of UOS, finding that most of the UOS in the central urban area of Beijing can be reached within 10 minutes, but access to the eastern and western edges is poorer (more than 30 minutes). Finally, using Worldpop data, the accessibility of UOS was statistically analyzed for different ages and genders. The results show that UOS accessibility rate for the elderly and children reaches over 90% (10 minutes accessibility).

Determinants and consequences of sustainable development goals disclosure: International evidence

The study examines the determinants and consequences of firm-level Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) disclosure using a sample of 6941 firm-year observations from 30 countries during 2016–2019. Based on 17 SDG indicators developed by the United Nations (UN), the study forms an SDG Disclosure Index. The findings reveal that approximately 48.40% of firms in the sample had active stakeholder engagement programs, 53.90% maintained a sustainability committee, and 62.60% issued standalone sustainability reports. The findings indicate that Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance, stakeholder engagement, and the issuance of standalone sustainability reports positively influence firm-level SDG disclosure. Moreover, the study finds a positive association between higher levels of SDG disclosure and increased firm value. Our findings are robust using a battery of robustness tests. Given the growing global focus on SDGs and the extent of SDG disclosure by firms, this study's findings hold significant implications for decision-makers and other stakeholders.

Participatory Modeling for Analyzing Interactions Between High‐Priority Sustainable Development Goals to Promote Local Sustainability

AbstractAchieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is challenging given the complex interactions between different SDGs and their spillover effects. We developed a system dynamics model—the Local Environmental and Socio‐Economic Model (LESEM)—to analyze and quantify context‐based SDG interactions at the local scale using a participatory model co‐design process with local stakeholders. The LESEM was developed for the Goulburn‐Murray Irrigation District in Victoria, Australia, to assist policymakers in analyzing local issues with a more integrated and holistic approach to sustainable development at the local scale. The process of participatory systems dynamics modeling facilitates integrated and strategic decision‐making and can help local policymakers identify and quantify potential trade‐offs and synergies that benefit multiple SDGs, which eventually leads local communities toward sustainability. We present an illustrative application of the model that quantifies SDG interactions across four high‐priority SDGs, namely clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), zero hunger (SDG 2), economic growth (SDG 8), and life on land (SDG 15). We illustrate the use of the model in assessing key SDG indicator trajectories under a business‐as‐usual (BAU) scenario from 2010 to 2050. Under the BAU, agri‐food production increased despite a decline in water resource availability, with gains driven by intensification and increased agricultural productivity. This boosted local prosperity and reduced the amount of agricultural land required to meet future agri‐food demand, thereby reducing pressures on terrestrial ecosystems and creating the space for ecological restoration and carbon storage in soils and biomass. However, agricultural intensification impacted water quality through increases in algal blooms and river salinity.

Improving field-scale crop actual evapotranspiration monitoring with Sentinel-3, Sentinel-2, and Landsat data fusion

One of the primary applications of satellite Land Surface Temperature (LST) observations lies in their utilization for modeling of actual evapotranspiration (ET) in agricultural crops, with the primary goals of monitoring and enhancing irrigation practices and improving crop water use productivity, as stipulated by Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicator 6.4.1. Evapotranspiration is a complex and dynamic process, both temporally and spatially, necessitating LST observations with high spatio-temporal resolution. Presently, none of the existing spaceborne thermal sensors can provide quasi-daily field-scale LST observations, prompting the development of methods for data fusion (thermal sharpening) of observations from various shortwave and thermal sensors to meet this spatio-temporal requirement. Previous research has demonstrated the effectiveness of combining shortwave-multispectral Sentinel-2 observations with thermal-infrared Sentinel-3 observations to derive daily, field-scale LST and ET estimates. However, these studies also highlighted limitations in capturing the distinct thermal contrast between cooler LST in irrigated agricultural areas and the hotter, adjacent dry regions. In this study, we aim to address this limitation by incorporating information on thermal spatial variability observed by Landsat satellites into the data fusion process, without being constrained by infrequent or cloudy Landsat thermal observations and while retaining the longwave radiance emission captured by the Sentinel-3 thermal sensor at its native resolution. Two approaches are evaluated, both individually and as a complementary combination, and validated against in situ LST measurements. The best performing approach, which leads to reduction in root mean square error of up to 1.5 K when compared to previous research, is subsequently used to estimate parcel-level actual evapotranspiration. The ET modeling process has also undergone various improvements regarding the gap-filling of input and output data, input datasets and code implementation. The resulting ET is validated using lysimeters and eddy covariance towers in Spain, Lebanon, Tunisia, and Senegal resulting in minimal overall bias (systematic underestimation of less than 0.07 mm/day) and a low root mean square error (down to 0.84 mm/day) when using fully global input datasets. The enhanced LST sharpening methodology is sensor agnostic and should remain relevant for the upcoming thermal missions while the accuracy of the modeled ET fluxes is encouraging for further utilization of observations from Sentinel satellites, and other Copernicus data, for monitoring SDG indicator 6.4.1.

Prioritizing sustainable development goals in China based on a comprehensive assessment accounting for indicator interlinkages

Prioritizing areas and targets, coordinated with development gaps, is necessary to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the face of resource limitations resulting from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The SDG interlinkages further exacerbate the difficulty inherent in addressing these goals. However, previous studies failed to consider the indicator interlinkages in the process of aggregate performance assessments and thus cannot identify priorities based on indicator interlinkages and development gaps. This study integrated network analysis and the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method to convert indicator interlinkages into indicator weights and then assessed the aggregate performance of the SDGs. Subsequently, the prioritized provinces and indicators were identified at the subnational level of China based on the aggregate performance of the SDGs, SDG growth rate and indicator interlinkages. The per capita net income of rural residents (2.3.2), the proportion of people living below 50% of the median income (10.2.1), and the under-five mortality rate (3.2.1) were the most contributing indicators to the aggregate performance of the SDGs, while the common challenges dealt with SDG 16, SDG 6, SDG 7 and SDG 12. Moreover, accelerating the development of western provinces would make it possible to overcome the traditional imbalance status, while resource-driven provinces should be paid special attention due to their poor aggregate performance of the SDGs and their lower growth rate. Thus, a coordinating strategy is highly recommended for allocating resources to the priority targets and finally achieving the SDGs.

Assessing the Iran Health System in Making Progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): A Comparative Panel Data Analysis.

Sustainable development goals' (SDGs) analysis can be caused a better understanding of factors contributing to access to health services and help shape policies to attain health goals. This review aimed to measure and compare the SDGs between Iran and selected categories. This study was a comparative cross-sectional study. We identified indicators of health status based on the SDGs report 2019. The status of SDGs indicators was compared in Iran to four categories, including selected countries with similar social, economic, and health status, six regions of the WHO, the average of each income level group. SPSS 20 and Excel 2019 software were used for descriptive data analysis. The average life expectancy and healthy life expectancy were 75.7 years and 65.4 respectively in Iran. Iran's mortality rate in indicators named road traffic (32.1 per 100000 population), suicide (4.1 per 100000 population), and unintentional poisoning (1.2 per 100000 population) were higher than most of the categories. Iran's status in morbidity indicators had an approximately lower rate than all categories. Iran had full coverage in three immunization indicators like DTP3 immunization, MCV2 immunization, and PCV3 immunization, which was higher than all categories. Coverage of UHC in Iran (65%) was near to the global average (64%) and higher than the eastern Mediterranean Region (53%). Moreover, the prevalence of tobacco smoking (10.95%) and alcohol consumption (1%) were lower than global (6.4%) and the WHO regions (1.8%) average. Health status measurement is a trend that requires the collection, processing, analysis, and dissemination of data by a set of indicators. There are several weaknesses in reported data in the SDGs for some indicators, the data collection process should be noticed seriously by policymakers.

Study on the substitutability of nighttime light data for SDG indicators: a case study of Yunnan Province

Introdution: One crucial method to attain Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) involves timely adjustment of development policies, promoting the realization of SDGs through a time-series assessment of the degree of accomplishment. In practical applications, data acquisition is a significant constraint in evaluating the SDGs, not only in China but across the globe. Hence, expanding data channels and exploring the feasibility of various data sources for sustainable development assessment are effective strategies to tackle the challenge of data acquisition.Methods: In light of this issue, this study selected Nighttime Light Data, a remote sensing data source closely linked to human social activities, as an alternative data source. Using Yunnan Province as an example, 16 localized indicators of social, economic, and environmental types were chosen. These indicators were then subjected to a correlation analysis with the Total Nighttime Light Index (TNLI). The relationships between different types of indicators and TNLI were analyzed at both temporal and spatial scales, thus identifying the indicators for which TNLI could serve as a suitable substitute measure.Results: The study indicates that when the SDG indicators are classified into economic, social and environmental categories, the total value of nighttime light presents a significant correlation and substitutability with economic indicators; significantly correlated with some social indicators, it can reveal the weak links in the development of underdeveloped areas; it is not significantly correlated with environmental indicators, while a trend correlation exists, which can provide some reference values.Discussion: This study has demonstrated the feasibility of using Nighttime Light Data for sustainable development assessment. It provides a novel evaluation method for countries that, despite a lack of resources for conducting sustainable development assessments, have a greater need for such assessments due to their lower economic development. Furthermore, a multitude of assessment methods can be developed based on Nighttime Light Data.

Transboundary water cooperation under SDG indicator 6.5.2: disaggregating data to provide additional insights at the aquifer level

Abstract The acceleration of transboundary water cooperation is essential to support water security and ensure mutual benefits of sustainable development. The way existing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) monitoring data is used to raise its importance further up political agendas and inform future reporting rounds is therefore crucial to acceleration. Using data extracted from national country reports of SDG indicator 6.5.2 on transboundary water cooperation, we showcase the level of cooperation, as reported, per aquifer to compliment the national approach currently followed by the official SDG framework. Our analysis uncovers a variety of insights and challenges to transboundary aquifer (TBA) cooperation that otherwise might be difficult to visualize through official national reports. Reported aquifer cooperation is often not harmonized across international borders. A lack of groundwater data and information is a major contributing factor to uncoordinated reporting, highlighting the importance of a sound scientific baseline. However, harmonization issues are also interlinked to a national-focused reporting process where Member States have the right to disagree over the status of their joint cooperation. These results can assist in improving future indicator coverage, both as an awareness raising tool for co-custodian agencies and by countries through direct interventions and coordination with neighbours.

Prevalence of Antimicrobial Resistance in Gram-Negative Bacteria Bloodstream Infections in Peru and Associated Outcomes: VIRAPERU Study.

Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance among gram-negative bacteria (GNB) is of critical importance, but data for Peru are not available. To fill this gap, a non-interventional hospital-based surveillance study was conducted in 15 hospitals across Peru from July 2017 to October 2019. Consecutive unique blood culture isolates of key GNB (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter spp.) recovered from hospitalized patients were collected for centralized antimicrobial susceptibility testing, along with linked epidemiological and clinical data. A total of 449 isolates were included in the analysis. Resistance to third-generation cephalosporins (3GCs) was present in 266 (59.2%) GNB isolates. Among E. coli (n = 199), 68.3% showed 3GC resistance (i.e., above the median ratio for low- and middle-income countries in 2020 for this sustainable development goal indicator). Carbapenem resistance was present in 74 (16.5%) GNB isolates, with wide variation among species (0% in E. coli, 11.0% in K. pneumoniae, 37.0% in P. aeruginosa, and 60.8% in Acinetobacter spp. isolates). Co-resistance to carbapenems and colistin was found in seven (1.6%) GNB isolates. Empiric treatment covered the causative GNB in 63.3% of 215 cases. The in-hospital case fatality ratio was 33.3% (92/276). Pseudomonas aeruginosa species and carbapenem resistance were associated with higher risk of in-hospital death. In conclusion, an important proportion of bloodstream infections in Peru are caused by highly resistant GNB and are associated with high in-hospital mortality.

Evaluation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Indicators in Wantilan, Subang Regency, 2021

Sustainable development goals (SDGs) are a global agenda as the successor of the millennium development goals (SDGs) with a broader, holistic, and universal vision. The SDGs contain 17 goals, 169 targets, and 289 indicators which are used as a reference for local governments in developing their territories. In measuring success at the rural level, a categorization is used in the form of the Indeks Desa Membangun (IDM), which is formed based on three indices, namely, the social resilience index, the economic resilience index, and the ecological or environmental index. Wantilan is one of the villages with IDM status as a developed village located in Subang Regency. The status of the IDM needs to be upgraded to become an independent village by taking into account local government policies that are also related to the SDGs indicators. In addition, the condition of Wantilan Village which experienced a transition from being an agricultural area to an industrial area requires an evaluation of the achievement of the SDGs indicators. There are 4 areas of discussion related to SDGs available on the Wantilan Village Dashboard, including employment and education. The results of this study indicate that the achievement of certain SDGs indicators, especially in the fields of education and employment, has not met the expected targets.
 Keywords: achievement, IDM, rural, SDGs, Wantilan

Assessing Sustainable Development Goals Implementation in Pasuruan’s Great Disability House

Sustainable development is a form of achieving social justice for every generation that aims to support economic growth based on social and environmental development. Pasuruan City as one of the cities in Pasuruan Regency which forms a sustainable development program by presenting Great Disability House which was established to facilitate persons with disabilities in Pasuruan City to receive various skills training. The purpose of this study was to determine the goals of sustainable development at Great Disability Home based on OJK (Authority Service Finance) sustainable indicators, and the role of Great Disability House in the sustainable development of Pasuruan City. To conduct research related to these objectives, researchers used a mix-method approach, namely a quantitative method on the results of direct interviews with Great Disability House in Pasuruan City, and a qualitative method with an indicators of sustainable development goals in Indonesia study approach. The results of the study show that indicators of sustainable development can be identified as follows: (1) ecologically sustainable, through creating salable products through recycling both organic and inorganic waste; (2) economic sustainability, through good product marketing through an online sales platform where the output is able to prosper the members of Great Disability House; (3) socio cultural sustainability, through handmade craft products that reflect the local culture of Pasuruan City (4) sustainable politics, defense and security, through the creation of various types of products that do not oppose elements of SARA (Ethnicity, Religion, Race, and Inter-group), elements of political campaign means and elements of plagiarism.

8.F. Workshop: SDG indicators: country scenarios and the way towards 2030

Abstract Background The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a global action plan aimed at achieving a better future for all. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are at the core of this Agenda, balancing the economic, social and ecological dimensions of sustainable development. The 17 SDGs were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a blueprint for reducing inequalities, eliminating extreme poverty, rehabilitating the natural environment, ensuring access to justice for all, improving health and well-being, and building global partnerships supporting sustainable development. From the beginning, data availability was widely discussed. Previous have covered the issue of SDG data gaps; we will concentrate on SDG 3, Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, though there are health-related indicators under other SDGs, e.g. 2.2.2 and 5.2.2. Developing SDG Indicators The UN General Assembly adopted the global indicator framework in 2017 with a set of 231 indicators, published in the UN SDG Reports, where countries are grouped according to geography. From the perspective of Europe, this makes sense, as i.e. neglected tropical diseases and births not attended by health personnel are uncommon. Indicators demonstrating social inequalities in health, or risk factors for non-communicable disease, such as insufficient physical activity and low fruit and vegetable consumption, are more relevant and demonstrate persistent threats to population health. In accordance with the UN's original mandate, some countries are therefore developing new local indicators. Addressing data gaps In the WHO European Region, the biggest challenge regarding SDG data is time lag. 6 of the 53 Member States (MS) in this region report mortality data from 2017 or earlier, and 39 MS have at least one year of missing mortality data, making it difficult to monitor demographic trends. Until MS are able to report timely and complete data, SDG reporting is unlikely to get better. Often flaws in the underlying health information systems (HISs) are the causes of the gaps. Major barriers to the optimal functioning of HISs are fragmentation of data sources, limited accessibility and unclear rules around use and reuse of data; barriers in the implementation of electronic health records; governance issues related to unclear responsibilities, including funding gaps and weak collaboration; legal gaps and misinterpretation of laws surrounding data protection, and limited number of skilled staff for implementation. These three abstracts show very different scenarios from three countries that illustrates how diverse the European Region is and how differently the countries work towards the SDGs, demonstrating what is currently happening in Europe regarding defining, collecting and reporting SDG indicators. Finally, WHO along with MS will offer some ideas for the best ways to optimize the years until the 2030 SDG achievement deadline. Key messages • Examples from three countries demonstrate challenges connected to SDG monitoring, including data gaps and reporting issues. • Flaws in HISs can lead to data gaps; WHO proposes some ways to alleviate this.

Strong Negative Association between Cesarean Delivery and Early Initiation of Breastfeeding Practices among Vietnamese Mothers-A Secondary Analysis of the Viet Nam Sustainable Development Goal Indicators on Children and Women Survey.

Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) involves feeding a newborn with the mother's breast milk within the first hour of delivery. The prevalence of EIBF in Vietnam has recently shown a downward trend. The present study aimed to demonstrate the current prevalence of EIBF practices and identify factors associated with EIBF among Vietnamese mothers with children under 24 months of age. This study was a secondary analysis of data from the Viet Nam Sustainable Development Goal Indicators on Children and Women (SDGCW) survey 2020-2021. The study participants included 1495 mothers extracted from the SDGCW dataset. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were performed. The prevalence of EIBF practice was 25.5% among all mothers, 31.9% among vaginal-delivery mothers groups, and 9.0% among cesarean-section mothers groups. Factors negatively associated with EIBF were younger age (0.18 times), cesarean delivery (0.25 times), and absence of skin-to-skin contact with newborns immediately after birth (0.43 times). The prevalence of EIBF among Vietnamese mothers was found to be substantially low, especially among those who underwent cesarean delivery. EIBF should be promoted among younger mothers and those who underwent cesarean delivery.

Sustainable Development Goals and bank profitability: International evidence

This article explores the impact of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals on bank profitability. The study considers multiple indicators of Sustainable Development Goals and bank profitability across 28 countries. The findings demonstrate that achieving specific Sustainable Development Goals leads to a significant improvement in bank profitability. More specifically, achieving good health and well-being leads to an increase in bank non-interest income. Providing clean water and sanitation for all also increases bank return on assets. On the other hand, taking strong action to combat climate change results in decreased bank return on assets. Additionally, attaining quality education and promoting affordable and clean energy sources lead to an increase in bank return on equity. The regional findings indicate that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals has varying impacts on bank profitability measures across banks in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

The SDG relevance-presence map of Hungarian SMEs - The relationship between the SDGs and the three pillar model

Hungary is currently in the early stage of its sustainable development endeavours, with notable strides being made since 2022. The study explores the attitudes of the Hungarian small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) towards the sustainable development goals (SDGs). To achieve this, a two-fold methodology is employed. Firstly, the study utilizes the literature research and the Eurostat database to assess the country's SDG indicators. Secondly, an SME questionnaire is designed to gather relevant information regarding the connected organizational attitudes. To visually illustrate the relevance and the presence of SDGs within Hungarian SMEs, an SDG relevance-presence map is developed, to serve as a crucial milestone for formulating strategies centred around sustainable development in this sector. Based on the results, the SDGs in the operation of SMEs are classified into three groups, which categorization can be clearly connected to the three-pillar model. The research not only elucidates the primary associations, but also provides valuable insights to both policy makers and the Hungarian government. Furthermore, these insights shed light on the elements within which concentrated efforts could yield the greatest improvements for the country. Despite the fact that our research was centred on Hungary, the study underscores the broader applicability of our findings.

Warding off freshwater salinization: Do current criteria measure up?

AbstractSalinization is a global threat to freshwater habitats that has been intensified by climate change. Monitoring, assessment and management of salinity is therefore essential. The first step is to set criteria that are sufficiently stringent to protect ecosystem health. However, many countries have not yet defined criteria, and there are substantial differences between criteria. This has been noted in the EU, where salinity is a required “supporting element” for ecological status in inland waters but also for implementation of UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicator 6.3.2. for “good ambient water quality” where different approaches and widely different threshold values were reported for salinity criteria. Much of this information has not been published and is difficult to access, hindering further efforts to address the problem. We first discuss the implications of salinization for freshwater ecological health. We go on to discuss the principles and guidelines on how salinity criteria to protect ecology should be established. Next, we review salinity criteria submitted as part of implementation of SDG indicator 6.3.2 and the EU Water Framework Directive. Finally, we discuss setting salinity thresholds in an already‐warming world and the challenges facing anyone trying to develop salinity criteria to protect freshwater ecosystems.This article is categorized under: Water and Life > Stresses and Pressures on Ecosystems Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness Science of Water > Water Quality

Temporal Characteristics and Sources of PM2.5 in Porto Velho of Amazon Region in Brazil from 2020 to 2022

Our study analyzed PM2.5 concentrations in Porto Velho, Rondônia, during the April 2020 and October 2022 wildfire seasons. This study aimed to evaluate the temporal characteristics of PM2.5 and the influence of long-distance pollution sources. Using PurpleAir data, we found that the average PM2.5 concentration was 17.7 ± 24.0 µg m−3, with significant spikes in August. PM2.5 concentrations decreased during the day but rose from nighttime to morning. The PM2.5 concentration was observed to be distributed at a high level of 36.3 ± 31.1 µg m−3 in slow westerly winds. Moreover, even in the dominant northerly wind conditions, a similarly high concentration of PM2.5 was detected, measuring at 33.2 ± 28.3 µg m−3. Air masses mainly originated from northeastern, southeastern, and southern regions, passing through Paraguay and Bolivia. Furthermore, PM2.5 in Porto Velho was influenced by Brazil’s northern and Central-West areas. To meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Indicator 11.6.2 for clean air, it is recommended that wildfires in Porto Velho’s northern and western regions be reduced, and more robust deforestation policies are needed in areas with long-distance pollution sources.

The contributions of citizen science to SDG monitoring and reporting on marine plastics

The accumulation of plastic litter in marine environments is a major environmental challenge along with the difficulties in their measurement because of the massive size of the oceans and vast circulation of plastic litter, which is being addressed as part of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Citizen science, public participation in scientific research and knowledge production, represents a potential source of data for SDG monitoring and reporting of marine plastic litter, yet there has been no evidence of its use to date. Here, we show how Ghana has become the first country to integrate existing citizen science data on marine plastic litter in their official monitoring and reporting of SDG indicator 14.1.1b for the years 2016–2020, which has also helped to bridge local data collection efforts with global monitoring processes and policy agendas by leveraging the SDG framework. The results have been used in Ghana’s 2022 Voluntary National Review of the SDGs, and reported on the UN SDG Global Database, as well as helping to inform relevant policies in Ghana. In addition, here, we present a pathway that can be adopted by the relevant government authorities in other countries that have an interest in following a similar citizen science data validation and reporting process for this indicator and potentially others.

Land degradation neutrality: Testing the indicator in a temperate agricultural landscape

Land degradation directly affects around 25% of land globally, undermining progress on most of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly target 15.3. To assess land degradation, SDG indicator 15.3.1 combines sub-indicators of productivity, soil carbon and land cover. Over 100 countries have set Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets. Here, we demonstrate application of the indicator for a well-established agricultural landscape using the case study of Great Britain. We explore detection of degradation in such landscapes by: 1) transparently evaluating land cover transitions; 2) comparing assessments using global and national data; 3) identifying misleading trends; and 4) including extra sub-indicators for additional forms of degradation. Our results demonstrate significant impacts on the indicator both from the land cover transition evaluation and choice or availability of data. Critically, we identify a misleading improvement trend due to a trade-off between improvement detected by the productivity sub-indicator, and 30-year soil carbon loss trends in croplands (11% from 1978 to 2007). This carbon loss trend would not be identified without additional data from Countryside Survey (CS). Thus, without incorporating field survey data we risk overlooking the degradation of regulating and supporting ecosystem services (linked to soil carbon), in favour of signals from improving provisioning services (productivity sub-indicator). Relative importance of these services will vary between socioeconomic contexts. Including extra sub-indicators for erosion or critical load exceedance, as additional forms of degradation, produced a switch from net area improving (9%) to net area degraded (58%). CS data also identified additional degradation for soil health, including 44% arable soils exceeding bulk density thresholds and 35% of CS squares exceeding contamination thresholds for metals.