Adoption and Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in China—Agenda 2030

The present research is conducted on the Chinese corporate sector and raises the basic questions associated with the adoption and implementation of corporate disclosure practices such as SDGs. The sample for this research consisted of 100 Chinese companies, which are listed in the Shanghai Stock Exchange from 2016 to 2018. For this purpose, content analysis is developed. More specifically, a quantitative approach is applied to quantify and identify certain contents or words in the given text. Our results show that Chinese companies seem to be more focused on certain aspects of the UN SDGs at the cost of others, but the overall situation is, at best, not encouraging. The focus of attention of Chinese companies seems to be infrastructure development, industrial innovation, and economic growth, along with the provision of a dignified and respectable working environment, affordable and clean energy, and peace, justice, and strong institutions. The results can be used as guidelines by Chinese companies to determine the actual presence or absence of SDGs implementation inside the process of value creation as an integral part of their practices about corporate disclosure. The main contribution of this research relates to the analysis of the adoption and implementation efforts to report SDGs and the contribution of such reporting towards the fulfillment of the UN Agenda 2030. This can be of interest to researchers working on the given topic. It is of utmost importance for government policymakers and corporate decision-makers, who want to support companies that are contributing towards the achievement and adaptation of SDGs as part of their overall objectives.

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Public–private partnerships for sustainable infrastructure development in Ghana: a systematic review and recommendations

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment ◽

10.1108/sasbe-07-2021-0111 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Isaac Akomea-Frimpong ◽

Xiaohua Jin ◽

Robert Osei-Kyei ◽

Augustine Senanu Kukah

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Sustainable Development Goals ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Project Managers ◽

Infrastructure Development ◽

Infrastructure Projects ◽

Content Type ◽

Public Projects ◽

Climate Action ◽

Development Goals

PurposeThe contribution of the public–private partnership (PPP) model towards the achievement of the United Nation (UN)'s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been widely acknowledged. However, limited studies have shed light on the connection between PPPs and the achievement of these coveted goals in Ghana. In this study, the authors aimed at analysing and synthesising the existing literature on the use of PPP to achieve sustainability in infrastructure projects in the country.Design/methodology/approachA three-step approach was used to retrieve and review 60 selected articles aided by content analysis.FindingsThe analysis showed that all existing relevant publications on the application of the PPP model to attain UN’s SDGs in the country are organised around dominant themes, such as poverty alleviation, urban development, waste management and risk management. However, the review revealed little studies exist on pertinent issues relating to PPPs and sustainable development goals, such as climate action, critical resilience, sustainable finance and clean energy.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the study is limited to 60 articles in Ghana, the results reveal pertinent gaps for further research studies to achieve sustainable infrastructural development in Ghana and other countries.Practical implicationsHolistically, the outcome of this study will serve as a guide to project managers to understand essential issues on attaining sustainability on public projects.Originality/valueThis article contributes to the literature and practice on the significance of PPP in mainstreaming UN's SDGs in public infrastructure projects.

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Synergies and Trade-offs among Sustainable Development Goals: The Case of Spain

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su122410506 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (24) ◽

pp. 10506

Author(s):

Carlos de Miguel Ramos ◽

Rafael Laurenti

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Sustainable Development Goals ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Quality Education ◽

Positive Interactions ◽

Clean Water ◽

Water And Sanitation ◽

Agenda 2030 ◽

Trade Offs ◽

Development Goals

The United Nations plans have marked global sustainable development for more than two decades. Most of the developed and developing countries have adopted these plans to achieve the Agenda 2030, currently formed by the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The analysis of the interactions between the SDGs is a growing area in research and of interest for governments. However, studies on how positive correlations can improve deteriorated goals are scarce for countries to date. This study aims at filling this gap by finding and quantifying the synergies and trade-offs among the SDGs of Spain. During the years 2000–2019, almost 80% of the SDG targets had significant interactions, either positive (synergy) or negative (trade-off). SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 5 (gender Equality) and SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy) contained the largest number of positive interactions, more than 60% in all of them. SDG 3 (good health and wellbeing) was strongly linked with indicators from SDG 4 (quality education) and also SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation). Furthermore, indicators from SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy) shared a high correlation with the ones from SGD 12 (responsible consumption and production) and SDG 15 (life on land). SDG 1 (no poverty), 2 (zero hunger), 6 (clean water and sanitation), 8 (decent work and economic growth) and 11 (sustainable cities and communities) had the slowest evolution during the years 2000–2019, showing contractions in some instances. We developed a regression model to assess the influence that selected targets have had on a less evolved target (target 8.6—proportion of youth not in education, employment or training). We managed to clarify high influence from target 1.3 (unemployment compensations), target 8.4 (domestic material consumption) and target 10.5 (non-performing loans) on the dependent variable. Identifying numerical dependencies between the SDGs may help nations to develop a roadmap where targets work as cogwheel towards achieving the Agenda 2030.

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Optimally Clocking the Low Carbon Energy Mile to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals: Evidence from Dundee’s Electric Vehicle Strategy

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14040842 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 842

Author(s):

Ayodele Asekomeh ◽

Obindah Gershon ◽

Smith I. Azubuike

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Green Infrastructure ◽

Sustainable Development Goals ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Low Carbon ◽

The Sustainable Development ◽

Agenda 2030 ◽

United Nations General ◽

Climate Action ◽

Development Goals

Dundee City has been successful in installing green infrastructure for charging electric vehicles (EVs). This intervention matches the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of affordable clean energy (SDG 7), sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11) and climate action (SDG 13) of the United Nations General Assembly Agenda 2030 (Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development). Local authorities can align interventions with SDGs according to needs. The purpose of this paper is to consider whether Dundee’s EV strategy represents the most viable and equitable intervention that could be adopted given the city’s context. We adopt a positive review and value argumentation approach to determine the extent to which the strategy satisfies the criteria of “level of urgency”, “systemic impact” and “policy gaps”, which have been employed in the extant literature as the basis for a multi-criteria analysis (MCA). We eclectically review elements of the strategy against the city’s peculiar physical and socio-economic environment, as well as argue their fit against these criteria. We interpret these criteria based on the complementarity and benefits of the strategy from the lenses of SDG 7, SDG 11 and SDG 13. Additionally, we consider the alignment of the EV strategy with the other SDGs. The criteria also allow us to evaluate the strategy based on the localisation principles of equity, acceptability and affordability of the intervention. Our review shows that the EV strategy represents a sustainable and community life-enhancing intervention that aligns with some key SDGs. However, the outcome raises concerns about the equitability of the strategy. Smaller, similar or bigger cities could utilise this approach. However, we recommend the evaluation of local priorities to improve alignment with the SDGs and the provision of clear justifications for selecting an intervention from a range of responses.

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The Health Rights of Children

The Oxford Handbook of Children's Rights Law ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190097608.013.19 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 366-385

Author(s):

Ursula Kilkelly

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Children's Rights ◽

Children’S Rights ◽

Agenda 2030 ◽

Rights Of The Child ◽

Development Agenda ◽

Development Goals ◽

Health Rights ◽

Missed Opportunity ◽

Specific Health

Article 24 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) recognizes the child’s right to health and health care. Despite its importance, surprisingly little international advocacy focuses exclusively on child’s health. The Committee on the Rights of the Child has addressed health and health care issues in many of its General Comments, but it has been surprisingly slow to adopt a General Comment dedicated to Article 24. There has also been an apparent disconnect between children’s rights law and the global development agenda. While the UN Sustainable Development Goals address many of children’s specific health needs, they do not mention the CRC and are not framed in rights terms. Although progress continues in advancing Agenda 2030, it is not clear whether greater progress would have been possible were these goals expressed as a matter of children’s rights. Overall, this process appears to be a missed opportunity to advance the child’s rights to health.

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Semi-Systematic Literature Review on Sustainability and Sustainable Development in Higher Education Institutions

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13147683 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (14) ◽

pp. 7683

Author(s):

Amila Omazic ◽

Bernd Markus Zunk

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Sustainable Development ◽

Literature Review ◽

Systematic Literature Review ◽

Higher Education Institutions ◽

Main Research ◽

Agenda 2030 ◽

Research Themes ◽

Development Goals

Public sector organizations, primarily higher education institutions (HEIs), are facing greater levels of responsibility since adopting and committing to the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development (SD) and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). HEIs are expected to provide guidance for various stakeholders on this matter, but also to implement this agenda and the SDGs in their institutions. Although the role of these organizations has been recognized, the fields and issues that HEIs should address on their path towards sustainability and SD are still unclear. To provide further clarity, a semi-systematic literature review on sustainability and SD in HEIs was conducted to identify both the key concepts and main research themes that represent sustainability and SD in HEIs and to identify research gaps. This review increases our knowledge of this topic and enhances our understanding of sustainability and SD in the context of HEIs.

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Effects of Production of Woody Pellets in the Southeastern United States on the Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13020821 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 821

Author(s):

Keith L. Kline ◽

Virginia H. Dale ◽

Erin Rose ◽

Bruce Tonn

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Supply Chain ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Southeastern United States ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Low Carbon ◽

Decent Work ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Responsible Consumption ◽

Development Goals

Wood-based pellets are produced in the southeastern United States (SE US) and shipped to Europe for the generation of heat and power. Effects of pellet production on selected Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) are evaluated using industry information, available energy consumption data, and published research findings. Challenges associated with identifying relevant SDG goals and targets for this particular bioenergy supply chain and potential deleterious impacts are also discussed. We find that production of woody pellets in the SE US and shipments to displace coal for energy in Europe generate positive effects on affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), industry innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), and life on land (SDG 15). Primary strengths of the pellet supply chain in the SE US are the provisioning of employment in depressed rural areas and the displacement of fossil fuels. Weaknesses are associated with potential impacts on air, water, and biodiversity that arise if the resource base and harvest activities are improperly managed. The SE US pellet supply chain provides an opportunity for transition to low-carbon industries and innovations while incentivizing better resource management.

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Ordering Artificial Intelligence Based Recommendations to Tackle the SDGs with a Decision-Making Model Based on Surveys

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13116038 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 6038

Author(s):

Sergio Alonso ◽

Rosana Montes ◽

Daniel Molina ◽

Iván Palomares ◽

Eugenio Martínez-Cámara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Artificial Intelligence ◽

Decision Making ◽

Sustainable Development Goals ◽

Modern Society ◽

Agenda 2030 ◽

Model Based ◽

Development Goals ◽

Sustainability Challenges ◽

New Research ◽

Decision Making Model

The United Nations Agenda 2030 established 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a guideline to guarantee a sustainable worldwide development. Recent advances in artificial intelligence and other digital technologies have already changed several areas of modern society, and they could be very useful to reach these sustainable goals. In this paper we propose a novel decision making model based on surveys that ranks recommendations on the use of different artificial intelligence and related technologies to achieve the SDGs. According to the surveys, our decision making method is able to determine which of these technologies are worth investing in to lead new research to successfully tackle with sustainability challenges.

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Inequalities in the Exercise and Continuity in Building Engineering in Spain. Factor Analysis Including Gender Perspective

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13105514 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (10) ◽

pp. 5514

Author(s):

Irantzu Recalde-Esnoz ◽

Daniel Ferrández ◽

Carlos Morón ◽

Guadalupe Dorado

Keyword(s):

Data Mining ◽

Factor Analysis ◽

Gender Inequality ◽

Sustainable Development Goals ◽

The Sustainable Development ◽

Agenda 2030 ◽

Technical Architecture ◽

Development Goals ◽

Building Engineering ◽

New Jobs

The building sector is one of the most relevant at world level in view of the percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) concerned, as well as the number of new jobs created. Nevertheless, it is a completely male-dominated industry. Different institutions and organisms, such as the Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, struggle to reduce gender inequality in different environments, including the working one. Aligned with these goals, this study provides the data exploited from the first survey regarding gender inequality within the professionals of the building engineering field in the Spanish population as a whole. This survey was developed in 2018 by the Spanish General Council of Technical Architecture and it was sent to its members. The sample involved 1353 cases. For this data mining, bivariate analyses were conducted in order to subsequently carry out a factor analysis and the socio–demographic composition of the dimensions found. Results exposed statistically meaningful differences in the eyes of women and men about those factors which facilitate practice and continuity in the profession. The most relevant conclusions drawn from the factor analysis reflect the existence of three factors: (1) work competences, (2) social capital and (3) physical appearance and being a man, dimensions in which women and men’s opinion was unevenly distributed.

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Objectives, Keys and Results in the Water Networks to Reach the Sustainable Development Goals

Water ◽

10.3390/w13091268 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (9) ◽

pp. 1268

Author(s):

Angel Valentin Mercedes Garcia ◽

Petra Amparo López-Jiménez ◽

Francisco-Javier Sánchez-Romero ◽

Modesto Pérez-Sánchez

Keyword(s):

Energy Recovery ◽

Water Distribution ◽

Sustainable Development Goals ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Environmental Indicators ◽

Pressurized Water ◽

The Sustainable Development ◽

Pumping Stations ◽

The World ◽

Development Goals

The world is continuously searching for ways to improve how water is used for energy. As the population increases, so do the needs for natural resources and, in turn, the needs for energy. This research sought to show how the world has tried to achieve more sustainable forms of pressurized water distribution and to show the results that have been obtained. In this sense, technologies have been used for the production of clean energy, energy recovery instead of dissipation, reprogramming of pumping stations and hybrid systems. In many cases, much lower water and energy requirements are achieved and, in turn, greenhouse gas emissions related to water use are reduced. Sixty-one different water systems were analyzed considering different energy, economic and environmental indicators. The different operation range of these indicators were defined according to sustainable indicators.

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Reinterpreting the SDGs: Taking Animals into Direct Consideration

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13020843 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 843

Author(s):

Olle Torpman ◽

Helena Röcklinsberg

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

United Nations ◽

Sustainable Development Goals ◽

Good Health ◽

Clean Water ◽

Water And Sanitation ◽

Agenda 2030 ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

Development Goals ◽

Zero Hunger

The United Nations Agenda 2030 contains 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs). These goals are formulated in anthropocentric terms, meaning that they are to be achieved for the sake of humans. As such, the SDGs are neglecting the interests and welfare of non-human animals. Our aim in this paper was to ethically evaluate the assumptions that underlie the current anthropocentric stance of the SDGs. We argue that there are no good reasons to uphold these assumptions, and that the SDGs should therefore be reconsidered so that they take non-human animals into direct consideration. This has some interesting implications for how we should understand and fulfil the pursuit of sustainability in general. Most noticeably, several SDGs—such as those regarding zero hunger (SDG 2), good health and wellbeing (SDG 3), clean water and sanitation (SDG 6)—should be achieved for animals as well. Moreover, the measures we undertake in order to achieve the SDGs for humans must also take into direct account their effects on non-human animals.

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