scholarly journals New measures on contribution of corporations towards sustainability

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 715-726
Author(s):  
Ole Olsen ◽  
Claus Werner Andersen ◽  
Søren Schiønning Andersen
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Injuries ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Business Community ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Business Statistics ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Work Done

With the UN General Assembly’s adoption in September 2015 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be reached in 2030 a new, overarching and prominent policy framework was born. Following the adoption, the Danish government made Statistics Denmark (SD) the responsible authority for national SDG reporting. The strategy to fulfill this task has been to work closely with stakeholders in the business community, public authorities and NGO’s. SD has further worked to implement the SDG-framework on the business sector, in particular inspired by work done in UNCTAD about indicators for business entity reporting on economic, environmental, social and institutional issues. The work in SD has shown that it is possible to provide SDG-relevant information by type of industry using existing statistical data. Emission of CO2 and energy efficiency are examples from the environmental economic accounts. Social and business statistics can provide data on employment and wages broken down by gender, and also follow the development in occupational injuries, just to mention a few examples. However, existing data cannot provide information on how enterprises work with the SDGs. To cover this aspect, a survey among the largest private Danish enterprises was conducted in 2019. A third type of data source may be created by adding additional questions to existing surveys. The article is concluded by a discussion on the lessons learned so far and possible next steps are outlined.

scholarly journals Lessons learned from the national sanitation campaign in Njombe district, Tanzania

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 754-764 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Safari ◽  
Hussein Mohamed ◽  
Provident Dimoso ◽  
Winfrida Akyoo ◽  
Francis Odhiambo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Success Factors ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Political Leaders ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Household Level ◽  
District Council ◽  
Slow Progress ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The Village

Abstract Sanitation remains one of the Sustainable Development Goals, with slow progress. Tanzania has been implementing the National Sanitation Campaign through a Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach since 2012. Njombe District Council (DC) has been identified to be among the best performing councils in the implementation of the sanitation campaign. A qualitative study was conducted to document how the CLTS was carried out in Njombe DC, assess progress on CLTS implementation and define the success factors for CLTS implementation. Findings show that CLTS intervention has resulted in increased coverage of improved latrines at a household level from 7.5% before the intervention in 2011 to 99.8% in September 2018. In addition, households with functional hand washing facilities have increased from 5.1% before the intervention to 94% in September 2018. Involvement of political leaders and government officials from the council level to the lowest governmental unit offered important support for CLTS implementation. The best mix of sanitation education, regulation and enforcement was instrumental in raising community awareness, changing collective behavior, making people comply with the village sanitation laws, and the overall success in the sanitation campaign.

Part V Regional Perspectives on Global Ocean Governance, 16 The Role of the World Ocean Council and the Ocean Business Community in Global Ocean Governance

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holthus Paul
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
World Ocean ◽  
Institutional Development ◽  
Business Community ◽  
Global Ocean ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Ocean Governance ◽  
The World ◽  
Development Goals

This chapter discusses the role of the World Ocean Council (WOC) and the international ocean business community in global ocean governance (GOG). It first provides an overview of the institutional development and profile of the WOC before considering the work and role and work of the WOC on ocean governance with and for the ocean business community. It then examines the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in relation to ocean business and the WOC, as well as the size, complexity trends in the ocean economy and ocean business community, which are fundamental to understanding their importance to GOG. It also analyses GOG issues relevant to the ocean business community and WOC that the United Nations and its associated bodies must address and concludes with an assessment of the role of the ocean business community and WOC in the future of the GOG agenda.

scholarly journals How Is Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals Measured? Comparing Four Approaches for the EU

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 7675
Author(s):  
Guillaume Lafortune ◽  
Grayson Fuller ◽  
Guido Schmidt-Traub ◽  
Christian Kroll
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Member States ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Methodological Choices ◽  
Data Gaps ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The Eu

Evidence-based policymaking must be rooted in sound data to inform policy priorities, budget allocations, and tracking of progress. This is especially true in the case of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as they provide the policy framework that all 193 UN member states have pledged to achieve by 2030. Good data and clear metrics are critical for each country to take stock of where it stands, devise pathways for achieving the goals, and track progress. Current assessments of the EU’s performance on the SDGs, however, tend to reach different findings and policy conclusions on where the priorities for further action lie, which can be confusing for researchers and policymakers. In order to demystify the drivers of such differences and make them transparent, this paper compares and contrasts the results obtained by four SDG monitoring approaches. We identify three main elements that are responsible for most of the differences: (i) the use of pre-defined targets for calculating baseline assessments and countries’ trajectories; (ii) the inclusion of measures that track not only domestic performance, but also the EU’s transboundary impacts on the rest of the world; and (iii) the use of non-official statistics to bridge data gaps, especially for biodiversity goals. This paper concludes that there is not one “correct” way of providing an assessment of whether the EU and EU member states are on track to achieve the goals, but we illustrate how the different results are the outcomes of certain methodological choices. More “forward-looking” policy trackers are needed to assess implementation efforts on key SDG transformations.

scholarly journals Virtual Capacity Building for International Research Collaborations in Times of COVID-19 and #Flygskam

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Richter ◽  
Elizabeth Gabe-Thomas ◽  
Carya Maharja ◽  
Thu Ha Nguyen ◽  
Quyen Van Nguyen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
International Travel ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Research Collaborations ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Travel Restrictions ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Collaboration And Communication ◽  
New Situation

In the wake of the current global pandemic, international travel is restricted. This poses substantial challenges for research relationships aiming to build capacity and foster co-creation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, where global collaboration and communication is paramount. This is especially challenging when it comes to interactive dialogues that go beyond the typical one-way structure of online learning. Considerations on structural, technical and behavioral levels are needed to not only deal with these challenges but rather to take advantage of the new situation. This commentary outlines the lessons learned from an internationally operating project, co-developed to cope with travel restrictions. We discuss implications for future reduction of international travel to reduce carbon in the context of climate change.

Lessons from the field for community engagement and accountability

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 261-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Berland
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
Community Engagement ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Process Of Care ◽  
System Transformation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose In Canada, community engagement and accountability are a political imperative, resulting in an omnipresent program with varied opportunities for public participation. The purpose of this paper is to promote leadership and commitment for health system transformation that truly benefits communities. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on the author’s experience with many engagement and accountability activities, applied in varied settings, for purposes such as evaluation, planning, policy making and system transformation. The specific context is generalized with international experiences and references. Findings The “lessons learned” are based on practical considerations with relevance for both novice and experienced practitioners: clarifying principles, processes and purposes at the outset; using effective leadership to achieve the desired impact; using a variety of methods to engage communities; clarifying engagement and accountability roles precisely; measuring things that are meaningful; and consulting with internal as well as external communities. Also, community leaders should recognize effort as well as results. Research limitations/implications Commitment to engagement and accountability is commendable – but is it enough? The paper concludes by looking beyond health system impacts to propose a broader systems perspective. If clinical governors want to use engagement and accountability to achieve “total value” for their communities, they will need to demonstrate as leaders that they are committed to long-term thinking and broad social goals. Originality/value Too much focus on the process of care may mask accountability for reporting outcomes or systemic impact. The sustainable development goals highlight the need for systems thinking and public expectations include corporate social responsibility. As shown in the examples cited, a deeper commitment to engagement and accountability requires looking beyond care delivery to social determinants and to systemic impacts of the health care industry itself.

scholarly journals Mapping interactions between the sustainable development goals: lessons learned and ways forward

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1489-1503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Måns Nilsson ◽  
Elinor Chisholm ◽  
David Griggs ◽  
Philippa Howden-Chapman ◽  
David McCollum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Development Goals

Assessing Sustainable Development Goals from the standpoint of equity for children

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Minujin ◽  
Mildred Ferrer
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Millennium Development Goals ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Multidimensional Poverty ◽  
Social Accountability ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Rights Of The Child ◽  
Development Goals

The article develops a discourse about equality for children and their recent evolution from adult-centred consideration to definition as a separate, critical constituency as stated in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with their child-focused goals and targets. Challenges implementing equality and fairness are discussed, from the World Summit for Children (WSC) in 1990 to the nearly simultaneous ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which gives children agency through its legally binding clauses, and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The article reviews past lessons learned and the post-2015 agenda debate, from which worldwide agreement evolved about multidimensional poverty and an equality roadmap. The article suggests social accountability processes to achieve lasting SDG targets. It provides a methodology for implementing social accountability actions, accompanied by examples to mobilise communities and encourage child and youth participation at the local level.

scholarly journals An Empirical Investigation of the Mentor-Mentee Relationship Among Female Architects and Female Architectural Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (13) ◽  
pp. 168
Author(s):  
Adedeji Olushola Afolabi ◽  
Adedotun Akinola
Keyword(s):  
Women Professionals ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Mentoring Programs ◽  
Negative Experiences ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Research Survey ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Work Done

Women are highly underrepresented in the construction industry. In line with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the United Nations of gender quality and reducing inequalities, there is a need to think of innovative and sustainable frameworks to increase women's quota in the construction trade, especially in architecture. The study investigated the mentor-mentee relationship between female Architects and female Architectural students. The study utilized a research survey approach using a questionnaire data instrument. Using a purposive sampling technique, 84 research participants, consisting of female Architects and female Architecture students, participated in this study. The data collected are presented using bar charts, mean scores, principal component analysis (PCA), and categorical regression (CAT-REG). The study identified characteristics associated with good Mentors and good Mentees in the design profession. Mentees identified the main features that make a good mentor as the ability to teach, listen attentively, and communicate effectively. On the other hand, Mentors identified the qualities of a good mentee who communicates, is focused and demonstrates intelligence. The study showed that the significant negative experiences in a mentor-mentee relationship include a clash of personalities between the mentors and mentees, stealing credit for work done by both parties, and unrealistic expectations. Furthermore, these negative experiences result from poor attitude, wrong emotions, and loss of motivation. In conclusion, the study showed that proper implementation of Women mentoring programs among design professionals could lead to potential outcomes such as improved productivity, empowerment of inexperienced personnel, attracting likely female students, retaining women professionals, higher salaries, higher job satisfaction, and an increase in role models/mentors.

scholarly journals Multistakeholder Partnerships for the SDGs: Actors’ Views on UN Metagovernance

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 497-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne Beisheim ◽  
Nils Simon
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
2030 Agenda ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The United Nations ◽  
Multistakeholder Partnerships

Abstract In the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the United Nations assigned an important role to multistakeholder partnerships for implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. Since partnerships show a mixed success record, this article analyzes whether relevant actors in the UN context are inclined to translate lessons learned and the increased knowledge about partnerships’ conditions for success into an improved “UN metagovernance.” Criticizing the current institutional setup, most of the interviewed actors proposed that partnerships should be metagoverned by the UN through systemwide principles, rules, and procedures. There is, however, little consensus as to how that should be done. Drawing on assumptions from the literature and extensive empirical research, the article identifies patterns in actors’ perspectives on the issue.

scholarly journals Assessing the Achievement of the SDG Targets for Health and Well-Being at EU Level by 2030

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (14) ◽  
pp. 5829 ◽  
Author(s):  
George H. Ionescu ◽  
Daniela Firoiu ◽  
Anca Tănasie ◽  
Tudor Sorin ◽  
Ramona Pîrvu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Current Trend ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Data Set ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The One ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Work Done ◽  
Health And Well Being

In this period of extreme changes in our society, issues related to the health and well-being of citizens are considered essential for the future of a united and prosperous Europe. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at EU level by 2030 requires hard work done in a transformative way in order to implement a set of coherent, evidence-informed policies that address health, well-being and all their determinants throughout the course of life and across all sectors of government and society. The objective of this paper is to assess the stage of fulfillment of all SDG targets in relation to health and well-being at EU level, based on the current trend of each indicator, for each EU member country. Based on the Eurostat SDG data set for 2007–2018, the individual trends were forecast using the AAA (Holt-Winters) version of the exponential smoothing (ETS) algorithm. The research results are surprising, on the one hand showing the possibility that some targets will be reached, but also indicating that a large percentage of targets will not be reached if the current trend is continued, especially due to disruptive change generated by the current pandemic. There is a need to increase the involvement of all member states, but also ensure a deeper involvement at the level of EU institutions, to provide full support for meeting the targets proposed by the 2030 Agenda, ensuring prosperity and health for all European citizens, and becoming a model for all the states of the world.

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