The role of engineering geology in delivering the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Author(s):  
Richard Lagesse ◽  
Jennifer Hambling ◽  
Joel Gill ◽  
Marcus Dobbs ◽  
Cheryl Lim ◽  
...  

Engineering Geology has an important role to play in sustainable development. This is due to the unique perspective that Engineering Geologists have of the interfaces between: science and engineering; the natural and built environments; the past, present and future. This paper examines the role of Engineering Geology in delivering the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and demonstrates that there is a strong link between the knowledge, skills and activities of Engineering Geologists and the delivery of all 17 goals. The study includes a detailed evaluation of all 169 SDG targets and highlights the key impact areas where Engineering Geologists already contribute to sustainable development, as well as identifying opportunities for contributions to be strengthened. It is hoped that this paper will empower Engineering Geologists to confidently communicate the value of their role, act responsibly, and exert their influence to drive positive outcomes in terms of sustainable development in everything that they do.Thematic collection: This article is part of the Sustainability in Engineering Geology & Hydrogeology collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/sustainability-in-engineering-geology-and-hydrogeologySupplementary material:https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5778817

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabela Battistello Espindola ◽  
Maria Luisa Telarolli de Almeida Leite ◽  
Luis Paulo Batista da Silva

The global framework set forth by the United Nations 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) include water resources in their scope, which emphasizes how water assets and society well-being are closely intertwined and how crucial they are to achieving sustainable development. This paper explores the role of hydropolitics in that Post-2015 Development Agenda and uses Brazilian hydropolitics set to reach SDG6 as a case study.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
James P. Hess

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the macro-, meso- and micro-level approaches to building sustainability in Ghana's timber, cocoa and goldmining industries s Ghana works to align sustainability efforts with the sustainable development goals proposed by the United Nations. Design/methodology/approach Using qualitative content analysis, a synthesis of contemporary literature on Ghana's timber, cocoa and gold mining industries was conducted to provide a descriptive evaluation of sustainability efforts in those industries. Findings At the macro-level, Ghana continues to invest in infrastructure, privatize industries and develop an urban development agenda to encourage foreign direct investment (FDI); improved forest management and green building policies and reduction of galamsey are also implemented. At the meso-level, the timber industry encourages land reclamation and green building technologies; the cocoa industry works to replenish lost trees, develop supply-chain partnerships, and encourage certifications; the goldmining industry works to regulate informal mining and reduce galamsey and the use of toxins in exploration. At the micro-level, alignment has developed between the micro- and meso-levels in the timber and cocoa industries, whereas micro-level players in the timber industry are less successful, given its large, unregulated informal sector. Originality/value Existing literature is missing discussion on the alignment of macro-, meso- and micro-level approaches to sustainability in Ghana's timber, cocoa and gold mining industries with attention to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals as the premise for the work.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 597-607
Author(s):  
Juan Miguel Kandler Rodríguez

Purpose This paper aims to investigate, which sustainable development goals (SDGs) are most mentioned in the sustainability programs of two hospitality companies, Rancho Mastatal and Reserva Conchal, in Costa Rica. In so doing, it is possible to evaluate the level of integration of sustainability principles with hospitality practice. Design/methodology/approach This paper features a case study based mainly on secondary information sourced from the corporate websites of the two companies, augmented by published studies about specific aspects of the SDGs, hospitality and news articles about both companies. Finally, the hotel-specific information was analyzed using studies about SDG progress, and also related frameworks, proposed by the United Nations (UN) and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Findings Consistent with UNWTO studies, the two companies’ sustainable programs align the most with SDGs 11, 12 and 13. These are goals classified as difficult to achieve meaning that tourism has a pioneering and innovative role to play in this regard. Mastatal has fully implemented sustainability and Conchal demonstrates an advanced level of integration, using different types of technological solutions to increase sustainability. Finally, the advice is given for companies seeking to embrace the SDGs as a way of being innovative and better positioned in a highly competitive tourism market. Originality/value As SDG overviews exist for large global brands, this paper adds country-specific knowledge, that of Costa Rica a pioneer in tourism sustainability, of sustainable practices of a management company and also of an independent small company, broadening the scope of prior research.


2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-136
Author(s):  
Essam Mansour

The key purpose of this study is to investigate the potential role of Egyptian rural public libraries, being one of the social agents for development, towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals according to the United Nations Agenda for 2030. To meet the objectives and questions of the study, a multi-faceted research methodology was adopted and conducted in the period from September to November 2017. The study used a qualitative approach in terms of personal interview, discussion and observations of group meetings, and examination of documents to investigate the implementation of community development programmemes and services in 34 rural public libraries representing the four main administrative divisions comprising Egypt. The 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals have been discussed with ways in which Egyptian rural public libraries can include and meet them. Challenges facing libraries in the provision of information (poor infrastructure, inappropriate collections and related facilities and services, high levels of illiteracy, lack of funding and cooperation between related agencies, inappropriate training of library and information professionals, lack of studies and surveys, as well as analyses of information needs of rural communities) have also been emphasized. This study concluded that Egyptian rural public libraries have struggled to be part of the United Nations Agenda for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. They have tried as much as possible to integrate and adapt to the surrounding community in light of the common economic, political and social factors and conditions. Despite these challenges, these libraries showed a good response that is characterized as somewhat positive, though not sufficient, toward the achievement of these goals.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3328
Author(s):  
Gabriela Olmos Antillón ◽  
Håkan Tunón ◽  
Daiana de Oliveira ◽  
Michael Jones ◽  
Anna Wallenbeck ◽  
...  

The mutually beneficial relationships between improving animal welfare (AW) and achieving the United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals (SDGs) were further explored and compared to previous work. This was done in the context of a doctoral training course where students selected at least six SDGs and reasoned around their impact on AW and vice versa. Then, students rated the strength of the SDG—AW links. Lastly, students engaged in an assessment exercise. Students reported an overall mutually beneficial relationship between AW and all SDGs, yet with significant differences in strength for SDGs 4, 11, 10, 12 and 13 to that previously found by experts. Students considered SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production the most promising way to integrate AW targets. This study further supports the positive role of AW in the success of the UN’s strategy. Still, the magnitude of the anticipated impacts is modified by stakeholder, context and experience.


Author(s):  
Carmen Sum ◽  
Yui Yip Lau ◽  
Cristina Dragomir

In the context of ferry industry, fair transport is a new concept and under-researched in the academic research and industrial practitioners. The ferry operators overlook responsible ferry, happy employees, and quality services are crucial to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The role of fair transport is still ambiguous and unawareness of the society. Also, the government bodies, policymakers, and international organizations implement ineffective measures to support the idea of fair transport in a ferry industry. The paper mainly review the current ferry industry context for the new fair transport concept, and investigate the key roles of ferry operators and international organizations in the fair transport.      


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 552-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umesh Mukhi ◽  
Camilla Quental

Purpose The 17 United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) represent a powerful guide to foster actions to achieve a more sustainable planet. This paper aims to analyze the challenges and opportunities of SDGs based on an interview conducted with climate scientist Dr Carlos Nobre. In this interview, Nobre addresses the opportunities and challenges of the SDGs. More broadly, the aim is to raise awareness among scholars, policymakers and citizens about what is considered to be the most important societal questions of the times. Design/methodology/approach The authors analyze the interview conducted with this prominent and experienced climate scientist through academic lenses of interpretive approach. Further, the authors are bringing important reflections from this interview and linking it to Rasche et al.’s (2017) model, which cut across different levels and take into consideration the individual, organizational and societal levels in the relationship for SDG. Findings The interview reveals that all SDGs are interlinked and are of equal importance. However, the authors discuss three important challenges and opportunities addressed by Dr Nobre regarding the implementation of the SDGs. These are education, climate change and peace. Originality/value To better understand the challenges and opportunities of SDGs and how to act on them as citizens and management scholars, the authors believe that it is imperative to consider the viewpoint of climate scientists who, through their knowledge on earth science, have been contributing globally to the United Nations SDGs agenda at global and local levels. In this paper, the authors analyze the challenges and opportunities of SDGs based on an interview conducted with climate scientist Dr Carlos Nobre. In this interview, Nobre addresses the opportunities and challenges of the SDGs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3062
Author(s):  
Ajay Kumar ◽  
Sushil Kumar ◽  
Komal ◽  
Nirala Ramchiary ◽  
Pardeep Singh

The sustainable development goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 goals with 169 targets. The Agenda 2030 of the United Nations envisages a holistic approach to achieve these goals by focusing on humankind and the planet. In this review, we analyzed the scientific literature and technical reports of international bodies such as the United Nations and Food and Agriculture Organization relating to traditional ethnobotanical knowledge (TEK). The literature on TEK was mapped with the targets of the SDGs to determine the role of traditional knowledge in the realization of selected goals and targets. Our extensive and systematic reviewing of available literatures suggests that, of the 17 goals, at least seven goals are associated with TEK. To achieve these seven goals, a thorough understanding is required to disentangle the intricacies involving TEK, indigenous people holding TEK, and their future role in achieving the SDGs. Our review points towards the role of TEK in achieving goals linked to poverty, health and wellbeing, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life on land, and partnerships. In summary, we argue that achieving the intended outcomes of the SDGs and the targets requires concerted efforts of all relevant stakeholders, including indigenous communities, common citizens, scientists, policy makers, and world leaders.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 353-358
Author(s):  
Vikneswaran Nair ◽  
Michelle McLeod

Purpose This paper aims to critically review the contribution made by this theme issue in responding to the strategic question: “How can Caribbean tourism investment, business and operations align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals?” Design/methodology/approach A critical content analysis of the papers selected for the theme issue was undertaken to learn about the best practices and experiences from countries in the Caribbean. The rationale for the issue was explored using a set of questions to determine the selected material. Findings This summary paper highlights the most significant outcomes from the theme issue in terms of the contributions to knowledge and/or professional practice and also the implications for management action and applied research arising from the outcomes and best practices in some of the countries in the Caribbean. Case studies discussed include relevant experiences derived from application of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Aruba, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize Grenada, Cuba, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, The Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago. Research limitations/implications This paper outlines the challenges and new approaches that are needed to manage tourism investment, business and operations in line with the UN’s SDGs that are now well established in other countries and regions. Originality/value The paper explores the extent to which the lessons and innovative approaches discussed in this theme issue could be replicated and applied in small island developing states that are trying to comply with the UN SDG 2030 target.


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