Sustainable Development Goals Performance Research Articles

Pre-service Teachers’ Perceived Importance of and Performance on Sustainable Development Goals

This study aimed to examine the awareness and performance of pre-service teachers in Taiwan regarding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A mixed-methods research approach was employed, utilizing a questionnaire survey to obtain quantitative data on pre-service teachers’ perceived importance of and performance on SDGs. Qualitative data were supplemented through interviews with professors and pre-service teachers at a university that incorporated SDGs into its pre-service teacher education courses. The findings revealed that pre-service teachers perform best in “Quality Education” and “Gender Equality.” Men with STEM(Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields demonstrated higher levels of awareness of sustainable development, and pre-service teachers majoring in STEM fields outperformed those in non-STEM fields in SDGs performance. Pre-service teachers identified “Good Health & Well-being,”“Life below Water,” and “Life on Land” as the indicators in most urgent need of improvement. Integrating the SDGs into teacher education programs can assist pre-service teachers in enhancing their awareness and performance regarding various SDG indicators.

Achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals – innovation diffusion and business model innovations

Purpose The study aims to analyse the race towards green development and United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the cases of Huawei and Shell. Both companies are the leaders in their respective industries. Huawei is an example case study representing the information and communications technology (ICT) industry whereas Shell is an example case study representing the oil and gas industry. The research analyses of the races in achieving UN SDGs were undertaken based on the innovation diffusion framework with the use of machine learning algorithms trained to extract data on sustainability activities and initiatives. Design/methodology/approach The research analyses the two case studies of Huawei and Shell. The research was undertaken through the steps of training machine learning algorithms, industry benchmarking and evaluating the performance of the race. The analyses regarding the activities and initiatives of Huawei and Shell in contributing towards SDGs are based on the data in the past 10 years (Years 2010–2019) using machine learning to extract data on sustainability activities and initiatives. In the case of Huawei, 313 sustainability reports were fed to the unsupervised machine learning algorithms revealing 15,101 sustainability actions and initiatives related to UN SDGs in the ICT industry. In the case of Shell, 2,015 sustainability reports were fed to the unsupervised machine learning algorithms revealing 47,365 sustainability actions and initiatives related to UN SDGs in the oil and gas industry. Findings The analyses of findings revealed that Huawei and Shell performed very well in progressing towards the UN SDGs. Huawei had strong performance in the ICT industry with regard to SDGs No. 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12 and 16 while Shell had strong performance in the oil and gas industry with regard to SDGs No. 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 12 and 16. Both companies had placed a focus on achieving SDG 12 responsible consumption and production, SDG 7 affordable and clean energy and SDG 4 quality education. The synthesised business model innovations of Huawei and Shell had shown their environmental, social and governance strategies – Huawei’s 2030 vision for green development and Shell’s 2050 vision for net zero emissions. Practical implications The five pillars of people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership according to the UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development have shown the way a company operates to promote sustainable eco-systems. The extent to which both Huawei and Shell link corporate strategies to the UN SDGs has reflected their implementation progress. Furthermore, the business model innovations of Huawei and Shell provides a useful framework which can be applied to encourage other companies/organisations in various industries to undertake ESG activities in practice. Originality/value The main contribution of this research is the application of machine learning algorithms and the innovation diffusion model in analysing the SDGs performance. The study applies the innovation diffusion framework to explore strategic actions and initiatives of Huawei and Shell in transitioning towards sustainability. The use of machine learning algorithms has identified their sustainability approach in achieving the UN SDGs.

Developing a sustainable development goals index for OECD countries: An effectiveness-based hierarchical data envelopment analysis

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) consist of a set of multidimensional indicators comprising 17 goals and 169 targets from various perspectives. The use of a composite index is crucial for assessing the overall performance of each country in relation to the SDGs, given the extensive range of indicator measures involved. However, different weight schemes may lead to different results. Therefore, incorporating an objective weight is required to ensure the comparability and accuracy of the index. The main objective of this paper is to construct an SDG index for Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries using an effectiveness-based hierarchical data envelopment analysis (H-DEA) model and apply it to assess SDG effectiveness in OECD countries. The results of this study provide countries with more valuable insights based on the weights of the goals (indicators) that are endogenous to the dataset, assisting them in identifying priorities and strategies to improve future SDG performance.

Financial Commitment to a Greener Future: Investigating Environmental Protection Spending and Its Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

This research examines the role of environmental protection expenditure (EPE) in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within seven Asian countries: China, Indonesia, Israel, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Focusing on SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land), the research assesses the impact of financial commitments on sustainable development outcomes. Using panel data analysis, the study evaluates the relationship between EPE and the selected SDGs while controlling for economic growth, foreign direct investment (FDI), income inequality, and trade as a percentage of GDP. Results show that increased environmental spending significantly improves clean water access, urban sustainability, responsible consumption, marine conservation, and terrestrial biodiversity. Countries with robust environmental protection frameworks and higher investments in green technologies demonstrate better SDG performance. South Korea's Green New Deal and China's renewable energy investments serve as successful models of integrating economic growth with environmental sustainability. Conversely, Indonesia and the Philippines face challenges in enforcing environmental regulations, underscoring the need for stronger governance. The study highlights the importance of strategic financial commitments to environmental protection in driving sustainable development. It provides insights for policymakers, businesses, and international organizations aiming to align economic activities with sustainability goals. Emphasizing effective governance, innovative financing, and public-private partnerships, the research contributes to the discourse on achieving a greener future for Asia

Prioritizing sustainable development goals in Africa: Perspectives from academia in Ghana and Uganda

United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals (SDGs) are interlinked targets for global development adopted in 2015 to be achieved by 2030. While UN prioritizes progress for those countries further behind, individual countries set their own priorities within SDGs based on their circumstances. The prioritization is a recognition that certain goals may hold greater significance than others. The paper examines how academic staff in selected African higher education institutions prioritize these goals using Q-sort technique in Ghana and Uganda, supplemented by a survey for the logical reasoning behind the ranking. The paper highlights that each country has distinct preferences for SDG actions influenced by their unique circumstances. Additionally, it suggests that countries’ periodic SDG performance may not solely result from national efforts but also from factors like natural events and luck.

Examining the unsustainable relationship between SDG performance, ecological footprint and international spillovers

For almost a decade, countries have been working to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Yet progress on the SDGs across countries, as well as across the 17 goals, has proven frustratingly slow. Even countries that have performed relatively well on the SDGs may have done so by causing negative externalities, such as environmental degradation, in other parts of the world. To determine if this is the case empirically, we developed and tested hypotheses concerning how a country’s SDG performance is associated with such externalities. We then ran a regression to examine correlations between indices measuring SDG progress, ecological footprints and international spillovers. We found that SDG progress is positively correlated with increased ecological footprints and spillovers. The results indicate that SDG progress remains closely associated with conventional measures of economic growth, and that negative environmental and social impacts of internationally-sourced consumption represent behavioural and structural barriers to meaningful progress on sustainability.

Reducing Poverty and Promoting Sustainable Development in Nigeria: An Examination of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Poverty remains a prevalent issue, primarily concentrated in rural area and tied to various well- known impediments such as government shortcomings, deprivation, inflation, and disease. Poverty continues to be a pervasive and critical challenge faced by diverse economics worldwide. This paper investigates the Impact of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development in Nigeria. The specific Objectives of this study include assessing the potential of (SUGs) In Nigeria, evaluating the SDGs performance in poverty reduction, examining the obstacles hindering SDG performance in poverty reduction and sustainable development in Nigeria, and proposing measures to fortify SDGs impact on poverty reduction and sustainable development. The finding indicates that the activities associated with the SDGs have not made significant strides in diminishing poverty or advancing sustainable development in Nigeria. The study concludes that the Nigerian government has not exerted sufficient effort to meet the targets outlined in the SDGs policy document in the country. Consequently, the study recommends that governments at all levels prioritize through and rural development in Nigeria.

China’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Malaysia: Impact on Malaysia’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

: Since its initiation, Malaysia has engaged in many BRI-related infrastructure and connectivity projects. These projects, which are mainly Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) from China, have mixed impacts on the three key dimensions enshrined in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - economy, society, and the environment. As FDI from China continues to be an important source of Malaysian economic growth, its contribution to the country’s SDG goals warrants further attention. The study examines China’s FDI impact on Malaysia’s SDG performance and finds that its presence positively influences index scores and global ranking performance. The impact on human capital is encouraging as moderate knowledge transfers and competition enhance workers’ skills. As for the environment, the impact is both positive and negative - gains from China’s investment in green technology but losses in environmental degradation. While the effect on political security and national security is generally positive, the social impact of China’s FDI cannot be determined due to data limitations. The study concludes that Malaysia should continue to engage with China to harness its positive impact toward achieving its SDGs.

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.

Collaborative Governance – Can it Achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) Towards Independent Villages in Strategic Border Areas

State borders are strategically important places. Because of this weakness, the border area as the country's front porch becomes a strategic issue. The border area of Indonesia, as the country's external face, is impressed if its management is based on a safety approach (safety belt method). Villages in Indonesia are still difficult to disentangle; it is frequently stated that he is lagging in development affairs, such that social, economic, infrastructure and other advances appear to be overlooked. The Village Sustainable Development Goals are a development concept that emphasizes ecologically responsible growth while also protecting local culture. The purpose of this research is to determine how the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are implemented in the border communities of the Rokan Hilir region. A qualitative technique is used in this investigation. To acquire a thorough grasp of the research problem, data was gathered using in-depth interviews, observation, and interactive photographic techniques. Purposive sampling was used to identify informants. After collecting the data, it is processed using an analytical technique with the N-Vivo 12 to explain, show, and place the data so that conclusions can be reached. Cooperation in the three components of the SDGs is required to achieve sustainability, which balances development on the economic, social, and environmental dimensions. The study's findings indicate that the Village Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in Teluk Pulai Village in the border area of Rokan Hilir District, have not been realized based on indicators of sustainability fulfillment. Apart from that, it can be seen from the unmet SDGs performance targets, which had an impact on the Village SDGs Score of 35.96 and the Developing Village Index (IDM) with a Developing status. The SDGs goals in the border area have not been realized, including a lack of village development plans, which solely focus on satisfying the requirements of the village community, thus the SDGs Village goals required by the community are not planned.

Who wins and who loses in global SDGs rankings? Clarifying the influence of the North‐South divide and foreign direct investment on spillover effects

AbstractThe Sustainable Development Report (SDR) provides comprehensive global rankings based on countries’ performance and efforts toward the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, the spillover effects reflecting how one country’s actions influence others remain underexplored, especially regarding their interplay with SDGs performance. This paper delves into the cross‐border adverse impacts on the environment and society arising from these spillovers, examining their correlation with SDGs rankings within the context of the North‐South divide and foreign direct investment (FDI). The analysis reveals a pronounced association between higher SDGs scores and amplified negative spillover effects. While this trend is predominant among advanced Northern countries, certain developing Southern nations also exhibit similar tendencies, potentially obstructing the SDGs of more vulnerable states. This paper argues that many countries achieve their SDGs by exploiting the ecological and social resources of others, suggesting a deviation from genuine sustainability and the core ethos of the 2030 Agenda: “Leave No One Behind.” To provide a clearer perspective on countries’ developmental trajectories, this paper proposes conceptual metrics and utilizes data visualization to re‐assess sustainability progression over time. It also introduces four developmental tendencies: exploitative, degraded, waning, and sustainable development. The findings emphasize that countries aiming to transition from exploitative or degraded development to sustainability must address consumerism, prioritize SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and counteract the degradation of SDG 13 (Climate Action). Crucially, a competitive mindset and a lack of international collaboration will hinder SDGs, underscoring the pressing need for collective action on environmental and social justice and equity.

Can blockchain technologies enhance environmental sustainable development goals performance in manufacturing firms? Potential mediation of green supply chain management practices

AbstractThe nexus between manufacturing firms and the green environment is unavoidable. It is merely due to the huge waste generation and greenhouse gas emissions resulting from large‐scale production and complex supply chain management processes involved in manufacturing firms. Continuation of the traditional business practices during Industry 4.0 made it impossible for the manufacturing firm to commit to green environmental practices and comply with environmental SDGs. At odd, it requires novel business strategies to ensure compliance of manufacturing firms with environmental sustainable development goals (SDGs). Blockchain is an ideal technology for delivering green environmental‐related information because it offers real‐time, shareable, and entirely transparent data kept on an immutable ledger that is accessible to members of a network. These green environmental‐related information received in real‐time through blockchain technology help in the transformation of the traditional supply chain management practices into a more green supply chain management practice. This green transformation ensures business compliance with environmental SDGs and that compliance is shared with multiple stakeholders through blockchain technology in real‐time, thus approving a positive mediating role of green supply chain management practices between blockchain technology and environmental SDGs performance. The proposed strategic framework through various propositions development will mainly offer policy insights toward (a) identifying novel antecedents of blockchain technology, (b) offering insights toward upgrading the traditional supply chain management framework into a green supply chain management framework, and (c) illuminating novel mediating role of green supply chain management practices between blockchain technology and environmental SDGs performance.

Monitoring the Performance of Sustainable Development Goals in the Italian Regions

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a shared agenda among countries but also a rallying point for forward-looking policy dialogue. Analysis and monitoring of the SDGs are decisive steps in evaluating possible corrective actions. This paper aims to reach two research objectives: (i) providing methodological insights for the application of multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) in the evaluation of the SDGs and (ii) emphasizing the relevance of monitoring the outcomes of the SDGs by evaluating the Italian regions. For the first objective, an online survey among twenty academics is used, while for the second, an MCDA is proposed that compares the temporal performance of a sustainability score for each Italian region. The results, based on 27 targets, show that in 2021 the northern regions showed better performance, with the province of Trento topping the list. This is followed by Valle d’Aosta and the province of Bolzano, confirming the trio that emerged in the previous year. A very interesting fact is the growth of the central regions, which overall tend to reach a value close to that of the northern regions. In particular, Toscana, Marche and Lazio stand out for a good performance. It is also confirmed that the southern regions occupy the last places in the ranking with the only exception of Abruzzo. The implications of this paper suggest collaboration between different regions in order to achieve a social community in which resources and skills can be enhanced.

The monitoring and evaluation challenges of the sustainable development goals: An assessment in three European countries

AbstractWhile discourse about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has primarily focused on ‘whether the goals’ are achieved, there remains limited understanding of how developed countries organize their monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems, which play a crucial role in tracking progress towards the SDGs. In this contribution, we unpack the M&E frameworks of Belgium, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. To do so, we have devised an analytical heuristic that combines insights from the literature on policy performance measurement and measurement infrastructures with the more specific literature on SDG governance. Through document analysis and elite interviews conducted in 2021, our findings highlight similarity in underdeveloped M&E frameworks, rather than significant variation across the three case studies. The results do not suggest a linkage between SDG performance and the development of M&E frameworks.

Progress towards Sustainable Development Goals in the Belt and Road Initiative countries

Studies have shown that monitoring the progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provides a basis for evaluation of efforts in sustainable development and formulation of policy recommendations. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) may have profound implications for the sustainable development of the involved countries. However, the performance of these countries with respect to the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of SDGs is yet to be explored. In this paper, we addressed this gap by analysing the progress towards SDGs during 2000–2019 on both the BRI and national scales by accounting for the social, economic, and environmental SDGs. We found that the BRI SDG index (SDGI), calculated by summing up the results from the three dimensions, increased from 43.5 in 2000 to 60.2 in 2019. Meanwhile, more than 90% of the BRI nations were at least halfway towards reaching the best performance of SDGs as of 2019. Of the 65 BRI nations, European countries generally performed better, while Central and West Asian countries performed relatively poorly according to the SDGI. Overall, the BRI showed high, medium, and low scores in achieving the economic, social, and environmental SDGs, respectively. In addition, the three dimensions have shown significant synergistic relationships over the past 20 years, although the synergies are weakening. Our research described the progress of BRI towards the SDGs, revealing that more attention should be paid to the environmental dimension, particularly to SDG 15 (life on land), as it received the lowest score and had the steepest downward trend of all SDGs. Considering the spatial heterogeneity among the BRI nations, we proposed a geospatial division and management plan as a potential measure to achieve SDGs.

Three main dimensions reflected by national SDG performance

Unraveling the complexity of the 17 interacting sustainable development goals (SDGs) is crucial for their achievement. Empirically revealing the dimensions of the SDGs helps generalize the dominant features of SDGs and better understand their drivers. Here, using a database of 166 countries' progress toward achieving each individual SDG, we found that about 70% of the variability of national SDG performance can be captured by three dimensions: socioeconomic development at the expense of resource and climate, the environment, and development at the expense of equality. Moreover, these dimensions are mainly affected by the economy; as gross domestic product (GDP) per capita increases, the first dimension increases monotonically, the environment dimension decreases and then increases, and the inequality dimension increases and then decreases. Our findings indicate a dim prospect of eventually achieving all SDGs because of the conflicts between economic growth and resource and climate goals under the current development paradigm, highlighting the importance of sustainable transformation.

Critical Data Challenges in Measuring the Performance of Sustainable Development Goals: Solutions and the Role of Big-Data Analytics

Critical Data Challenges in Measuring the Performance of Sustainable Development Goals: Solutions and the Role of Big-Data Analytics

A 5 pillars approach to the sustainable development goals performance and reporting in Portuguese higher education institutions. Proposal for an applied framework

PurposeThe implementation and reporting of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) is one of the emerging challenges for higher education institutions (HEIs), but the lack of well-defined reporting structures and topics for this sector makes it difficult to map and evaluate HEI performance in relation to 2030 Agenda. This study aims to assess the SDG performance and reporting by the 13 HEIs that integrate the Times Higher Education Impact Ranking (THE_IR), from the perspective of the five pillars of the 2030 Agenda in the Portuguese context, where research on this topic is quite scarce.Design/methodology/approachConsidering the THE_IR methodology, an SDG reporting assessment framework with 85 key topics has been developed to search for in the institutional reports of the 13 studied HEIs. For each topic, depending on the number of institutions that disclose it, a reporting index (RI) has been calculated, which was used to compare the level of reporting between the different SDGs and pillars.FindingsConcerning HEIs’ SDG performance in the THE_IR, the People pillar was the one with the most HEIs ranked, followed by the Prosperity pillar. The Planet pillar was less highlighted. SDG reporting varied widely among Portuguese HEIs. The SDG RI presented a mean value of 43.1%. The Kruskal–Wallis test revealed that the RI for the Planet pillar (RI = 23.6%) was statistically and significantly lower than those for the People and Prosperity pillars (RI = 48.6% and 53.5%, respectively). The results thus demonstrated some conformity of the SDG reporting with Portuguese HEI performance in THE_IR. Aside from Goal 5, the SDGs 4 and 3 stood out in the first four positions of the HEIs in the THE_IR. Goals 3 and 4 were also the most disclosed in institutional reports.Originality/valueThis study proposed and applied a new SDG reporting assessment framework for HEIs, contributing to better evaluation of the inclusion of important SDG-related topics in their institutional reports.

Demystifying the relationship between ESG and SDG performance: Study of emerging economies

Companies and investors in emerging markets have started paying attention to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) issues. There has been a growing demand for aligning ESG disclosure of companies to UN SDGs (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals), so understanding how the firm-level ESG affects the country-level SDG is very important for evaluating the advances in ESG and SDG implementation in emerging markets. This study examines the linkage between firm-level ESG disclosures and their relationship with country-level SDG scores over ten years for three emerging countries: India, China, and Brazil. The analysis of 1,500 top-listed firms in these countries reveals an increasing trend of firms going for ESG disclosures and increased ESG scores over the years in the three markets. Out of the total sample, almost 75% of firms make ESG disclosures in Brazil, followed by 54% in India and 32% in China. Additionally, companies in all these countries tend to emphasize governance-related disclosures more, with Brazil having higher ESG disclosures than India and China. The correlation and causality tests indicate a significant positive correlation between mean ESG scores and country-specific SDG scores. The Dumitrescu-Hurlin panel causality tests provide stronger linkages between firm-specific Environment scores and SDG scores, indicating that a firm’s environment disclosures translate into higher SDG scores. However, the same is not valid for Social and Governance factors. These findings have important implications given the global attention on the linkages between ESG disclosure and SDG score. AcknowledgmentsThe financial and infrastructure support provided by FORE School of Management, New Delhi in completing this paper is gratefully acknowledged.

Institutional pressures and accountability processes in pursuit of sustainable development goals: Insights from Ghanaian indigenous oil companies

AbstractThis paper aims at exploring the institutional pressures and accountability processes in pursuit of sustainable development goals (SDGs) in indigenous oil companies in Ghana. Applying a qualitative research strategy, semi‐structured interviews with 20 company managers and other industry stakeholders were used to collect in‐depth and rich empirical data. In pursuit of the SDG agenda, the indigenous oil companies appear to be sensitive to both internal and external stakeholder pressure. However, the coercive pressures from regulators did not always result in the companies implementing actual change. Instead, coercive pressures from non‐governmental actors have taken on the role of ‘regulator’ of organisational practices. Also, internal forces of change were mainly the foreign partner's audit pressure and management commitment to enhance company reputation. Beyond the institutional pressures to incorporate SDGs into business practices, the finding adds fresh perspectives to the three logical steps of SDG accountability processes used by the companies to track their contribution to SDG implementation and reporting, namely: data collection, SDG performance measurement, and communication of SDG outcomes. Finally, the study discovers that the companies are making little progress towards the achievement of the SDGs because of financial limitations, rigid organisational environments that prevent change, and a lack of a standardised institutional framework. The findings suggest that in order for an organisation to gain legitimacy, its SDG agenda must incorporate the concerns of non‐governmental actors and local communities into its corporate decision‐making. Failure to meet the needs of these essential stakeholders may jeopardise the legitimacy of organisation which will threaten its survival.