scholarly journals Neverland or Tomorrowland? Addressing (In)compatibility among the SDG Pillars in Europe

Author(s):  
Joana Costa ◽  
Diana Cancela ◽  
João Reis

The 2015–2030 agenda framed Sustainable Development as a Universal venture. This decision has a great historic significance as it encompasses building a better future for the whole of humanity, enrolling the millions who have been denied the chance to live a decent, dignified and fulfilling life and to achieve their potential. For the first time, an entire generation will have the chance to succeed in ending poverty while being the last to have a chance of saving the planet. The world will be a better place in 2030 if humanity succeeds in this journey. However, there is hovering skepticism around the feasibility of this accomplishment. The article aims to empirically test the (in)compatibilities among these objectives even for developed economies such as the European Union countries, demonstrating that unless solid bridges are built promoting innovative networks at a transnational level, welfare and prosperity among those ecosystems will be compromised. The results show that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) pillars have heterogeneous determinants, which are to some extent incompatible. Moreover, policy makers need to further reinforce multi-country compensations if the environment is to be preserved.

Author(s):  
José Miguel Rodríguez-Antón ◽  
Luis Rubio-Andrada ◽  
María Soledad Celemín-Pedroche ◽  
Soraya María Ruíz-Peñalver

AbstractThe European Union (EU) is trying to accelerate the transition from the current linear economy to a circular economy (CE). In fact, the CE is considered a tool to attain sustainable development goals (SDGs). In this sense, this paper aims at analysing the interaction between the CE and SDGs in the context of the new 2030 Agenda and the European CE strategy; thus contributing to the scarce empirical literature that links the potential of the European CE strategy to the achievement of the SDGs set by the 2030 Agenda. Three specific research questions have been formulated. First, could the objectives defined in the 2030 Agenda be considered homogeneous, and could they uniquely measure the concept of sustainability? Second, are there significant correlations between the implementation of a CE in the EU and the SDGs? Finally, is the behaviour of the 28 countries that make up the EU homogeneous in terms of the results of the initiatives aimed at the implementation of a CE? From these questions, nine hypotheses are put forward concerning the possible relationships between a CE implementation and the fulfilment of SDGs in the EU. Using a correlation analysis, an exploratory factor analysis, and a cluster analysis, it has been demonstrated that (a) SDGs do not univocally measure the concept of sustainability; (b) there are significant relationships between CE and SDGs in the EU; (c) the behaviour of these European countries is not homogeneous.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 2156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Firoiu ◽  
George H. Ionescu ◽  
Anca Băndoi ◽  
Nicoleta Mihaela Florea ◽  
Elena Jianu

Romania needs a change of the current development paradigm to face the challenges of the 21st century. As a member of the European Union, leaders in Romania are is interested in implementing the principles of sustainable development at a national level to reduce development gaps, to increase citizens’ well-being, and to preserve a clean environment. The purpose of this research is to determine the implementation status of the 2030 Agenda sustainable development goals (SDG) in Romania and to explore to what extent Romania will be able to reach, for the 2030 horizon, EU average values for the selected indicators. The research is based on 107 indicators that monitored the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Eurostat database (sustainable development indicators) was the source of data in terms of their availability and integrity. The research results showed that the implementation status of SDG is sub-optimal. In the case of 40 indicators out of the 107 analyzed, forecasts indicate the possibility of reaching the EU average values by 2030. However, the country can remain on the path to sustainable development only by involving all stakeholders and increasing concrete and well-targeted measures to improve SDG indicators.


Author(s):  
Axel Marx ◽  
Sukmawani Bela Pertiwi ◽  
Charline Depoorter ◽  
Michiel Hoornick ◽  
Tirta Nugraha Mursitama ◽  
...  

AbstractThis paper analyzes the current role of regional organizations in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We construct a conceptual model and distinguish four potential roles that regional organizations can play in the implementation of the SDGs: the translating role, supporting role, coordinating role and monitoring role. We apply this framework to the European Union and ASEAN. The case studies are analyzed on the basis of document analysis from primary and secondary sources, voluntary national reviews and interviews. We show that regional organizations play different roles in the implementation of the SDGs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Dickens ◽  
Vladimir Smakhtin ◽  
Matthew McCartney ◽  
Gordon O’Brien ◽  
Lula Dahir

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are high on the agenda for most countries of the world. In its publication of the SDGs, the UN has provided the goals and target descriptions that, if implemented at a country level, would lead towards a sustainable future. The IAEG (InterAgency Expert Group of the SDGs) was tasked with disseminating indicators and methods to countries that can be used to gather data describing the global progress towards sustainability. However, 2030 Agenda leaves it to countries to adopt the targets with each government setting its own national targets guided by the global level of ambition but taking into account national circumstances. At present, guidance on how to go about this is scant but it is clear that the responsibility is with countries to implement and that it is actions at a country level that will determine the success of the SDGs. Reporting on SDGs by country takes on two forms: i) global reporting using prescribed indicator methods and data; ii) National Voluntary Reviews where a country reports on its own progress in more detail but is also able to present data that are more appropriate for the country. For the latter, countries need to be able to adapt the global indicators to fit national priorities and context, thus the global description of an indicator could be reduced to describe only what is relevant to the country. Countries may also, for the National Voluntary Review, use indicators that are unique to the country but nevertheless contribute to measurement of progress towards the global SDG target. Importantly, for those indicators that relate to the security of natural resources security (e.g., water) indicators, there are no prescribed numerical targets/standards or benchmarks. Rather countries will need to set their own benchmarks or standards against which performance can be evaluated. This paper presents a procedure that would enable a country to describe national targets with associated benchmarks that are appropriate for the country. The procedure builds on precedent set in other countries but in particular on a procedure developed for the setting of Resource Quality Objectives in South Africa. The procedure focusses on those SDG targets that are natural resource-security focused, for example, extent of water-related ecosystems (6.6), desertification (15.3) and so forth, because the selection of indicator methods and benchmarks is based on the location of natural resources, their use and present state and how they fit into national strategies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7738
Author(s):  
Nicolás Gambetta ◽  
Fernando Azcárate-Llanes ◽  
Laura Sierra-García ◽  
María Antonia García-Benau

This study analyses the impact of Spanish financial institutions’ risk profile on their contribution to the 2030 Agenda. Financial institutions play a significant role in ensuring financial inclusion and sustainable economic growth and usually incorporate environmental and social considerations into their risk management systems. The results show that financial institutions with less capital risk, with lower management efficiency and with higher market risk usually make higher contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to their sustainability reports. The novel aspect of the present study is that it identifies the risk profile of financial institutions that incorporate sustainability into their business operations and measure the impact generated in the environment and in society. The study findings have important implications for shareholders, investors and analysts, according to the view that sustainability reporting is a vehicle that financial institutions use to express their commitment to the 2030 Agenda and to higher quality corporate reporting.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
José Miguel Rodríguez-Antón

No one has the slightest doubt about the enormous potential that the African continent has as a tourist destination. The diversity of cultures, the great biodiversity that it possesses, the multiple artistic manifestations that it offers and the beauty of the seas that surround it are key pieces in continuing to promote its capacity as a tourist attraction, which is approximately 60 million tourists per year who generate seven percent of exports and employment. However, in order for Africa to take off, it is necessary that a number of conditions related to security, health, education, eradication of poverty, reduction of inequalities, peace and justice and quality of its waters, among others, are intimately related to the Sustainable Development Goals defined in the 2030 Agenda. In this context, we maintain that the implementation of the Circular Economy in Africa will be a key tool in this process of improving the sustainability of this continent in its three aspects, economic, social and environmental, and raising its level of tourism competitiveness.


2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 1309-1336
Author(s):  
Vlad Turcea

The present paper aims to highlight the discrepancies between two countries of the European Union, Romania and Denmark, in the perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals. As Denmark is seen as a primer European and Global nation in achieving the United Nations' targets, Romania can use this example as a guideline on how to act and to obtain the most notable results. The article proposes some key principles that Romanians could follow in order to successfully fulfill the 2030 Action Plan having, as an example, the strategies and indicators reached by Denmark. The current work paper is structured as a review of the two reports that voluntarily summarize the situation of the Sustainable Development Goals in each state, followed by a statistical analysis of investment behavior and concluded with an analysis of the most notable differences between the states based on the dataset published by Eurostat.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-69
Author(s):  
Sang Ayu Made Regitha Megaartha

The  The World Environment Conference in Stockholm in 1972 became clear evidence that environmental problems began to be a concern of various countries around the world, including Indonesia. Humans can not continue to exploit environment for resources and landfills. Environmental project management includes sustainable development aimed at improving the welfare of the community, conserving available natural resources, and ensuring the sustainability of the life of the surrounding environment. This concept is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals which are peace and prosperity for humans and earth, for now and in the future. Indonesia is not the only country that cares about the environment in accordance with the goals of the SGDs. Philippines divides project-affected communities into direct and indirect affected communities. United Kingdom has The European Union (EU) biodiversity strategy which aims to maintain and restore ecosystems. Denmark has The Innovation Network for Environmental Technology (Inno-MT) which is a partnership that supports projects related to waste, air, water and soil. This study aims to understand the principles of sustainable development related to environmental project management and its implementation in Indonesia. In addition, the researcher lists the actions taken by other countries regarding environmental project management to get a wider perspective.   Konferensi Lingkungan Hidup Sedunia di Stockholm tahun 1972 menjadi bukti nyata permasalahan lingkungan mulai menjadi perhatian dari berbagai negara di seluruh dunia, termasuk Indonesia. Manusia tidak dapat terus mengeksploitasi lingkungan untuk sumber daya dan tempat pembuangan limbah. Manajemen proyek lingkungan mencakup pembangunan  berkelanjutan yang bertujuan meningkatkan kesejahteraan  masyarakat,  melestarikan  sumber daya alam  yang tersedia, dan  menjamin   keberlangsungan   kehidupan   lingkungan   disekitarnya. Konsep ini sejalan dengan tujuan Sustainable Development Goals yaitu perdamaian dan kemakmuran bagi manusia dan bumi, baik saat ini maupun di masa mendatang. Indonesia bukan satu-satunya negara yang peduli mengenai lingkungan sesuai dengan tujuan SGDs. Negara-negara yang menandatangani PBB juga melakukan hal yang sama. Filipina membagi masyarakat terdampak proyek menjadi masyarakat terkena dampak langsung dan tidak langsung.  Inggris memiliki The Eurpean Union (EU) biodiversity strategy yang bertujuan untuk mempertahankan dan memulihkan ekosistem. Denmark memiliki The Innovation Network for Environmental Technology (Inno-MT) yaitu kemitraan yang mendukung proyek yang berhubungan dengan limbah, udara, air dan tanah. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk  memahami prinsip-prinsip yang digunakan  dalam rangka pembangunan berkelanjutan yang berkaitan dengan manajemen proyek lingkungan dan pengimplementasiannya di Indonesia. Selain itu, peneliti mencantumkan tindakan-tindakan yang dilakukan oleh negara lain terkait manajemen proyek lingkungan untuk mendapatkan sudut pandang yang lebih luas


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