Climate Action-Based Policy Administration in India: Developments and Challenges

Sustainability has become an indispensable core consideration when nations formulate their development policies. This study delves into the dynamic correlations between ecosystem services (ESs) and localized Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a typical hilly region in southern China. Various ESs were computed using the InVEST model, while spatial econometric models were employed to assess ES responses to SDG targets at the county, sectoral, and overall spatial levels. The findings revealed the following. (1) From 2005 to 2020, there were differences in the development rates of various SDG targets in Ganzhou. Except for SDG 15, which declined, the development of the other targets showed an overall increasing trend. The development of the various SDG targets was relatively balanced, but SDG 9 and SDG 7 had the highest growth rates, ranging from 9.4% to 10.7% and 9.4% to 10.3%, respectively. The comprehensive SDG assessment index exhibited significant spatiotemporal variation, with a general trend of higher values in the north and lower values in the south. (2) The local ES showed a delayed response to SDG 1 and SDG 2, but there was a significant positive response to SDG 3, SDG 4, SDG 6, SDG 8, and SDG 9. However, responses to SDG 7, SDG 11, SDG 13, and SDG 15 showed regional differences. This study not only provides valuable insights for sustainable development in Ganzhou and other regions of China but also offers Chinese perspectives and experiences that may inform global efforts towards SDG implementation. This study fills the gap in existing research by constructing a localized SDG indicator system and quantifying each SDG indicator, further exploring the response of the ES to each SDG in the region. Looking ahead, we anticipate further research to deepen the understanding of the relationship between ESs and SDG targets on a broader geographical scale and over longer timeframes, aiming to provide a more robust scientific foundation for building a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature in the future.

The success of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) depends on solving the ‘nexus’ challenge: how can positive interactions between SDGs be optimised, and negative interactions minimised, in order to create co-benefits and reduce trade-offs? Due to their varying impacts on the SDGs, the economic activities undertaken by organisations present a key lever for operationalising this SDG-nexus. Yet the interactions between individual economic activities and the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development have not been systematically assessed, thus creating a vital operational bottleneck to achieving the SDGs. This paper conducts a systematic review of 876 articles published between 2005 and 2019 to study the nexus between individual economic activities, sustainable development in general, and the SDGs in specific. It finds that studies on agricultural, industrial, and manufacturing activities predominantly report negative impacts on environmental development, while literature on services activities highlight economic and social contributions. Overall, most economic activities are expected to positively impact industrialization, infrastructure, and innovation [SDG 9] and economic productivity [SDG 8], while many help meet basic needs [SDGs 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 11]. However, negative impacts are widespread, afflicting ecosystems [SDGs 14 and 15], climate change [SDG 13] and human health [SDG 3]. We synthesise positive and negative interactions between individual economic activities and SDG targets and discuss implications for: integrated (nexus) governance approaches to the SDGs; the role of the private sector in promoting sustainable development; and for improving statistical classifications to monitor economic activities’ SDG impacts.

The Paris Agreementʼs nationally determined contributions (NDCs) provide an excellent point of entry to simultaneously address climate change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study sets out to explore the connections between climate action plans (NDCs) and each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this study, we used four levels of visibility, that is, present, generic, implied and absent to provide a broad perspective of the extent to which South Africaʼs NDC is aligned with the targets of the SDGs. Our results revealed that South Africaʼs NDC has 12% present level of visibility to the SDG targets, with SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy and SDG 13 Climate Action showing the highest representation of present level of visibility. By contrast, the absent level of visibility NDC showed 53% in the SDG targets, with SDG 5 Gender Equity, SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and SDG 3 Good Health and Well‐Being, showing the highest representation of absent level of visibility. These results indicate that there is scope to improve the alignment of South Africaʼs NDCs with the SDG targets. To this end, we have identified areas that may benefit with further elaboration in the countryʼs second NDC.

This paper evaluates how bioeconomy activities, stated in the concepts of the European Union, Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development, and the German government, potentially affect the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The aim of the bioeconomy is to substitute the use of fossil resources by renewable resources, while the SDGs set targets for a holistic sustainable global development. A literature‐based influence analysis on empirical studies is employed to derive three bioeconomy scenarios (business as usual, bioeconomy, and sustainable bioeconomy) and to quantify their effects on the individual SDG targets. It is shown that the bioeconomy scenario has positive as well as negative effects on the SDG targets. While targets for cleaner industrial production are strongly supported, socioeconomic targets are subject to mixed effects and environmental targets significantly hurt. This paper outlines which SDGs need special attention when implementing a bioeconomy according to the above‐mentioned concepts. The results add to the debate on SDG trade‐offs and on the substitutability of SDG targets. Without regulations, policies, and investments ensuring sustainability, or in case the substitutability of SDG targets is not allowed, the bioeconomy concepts have the potential to jeopardize the achievement of several SDGs. In contrast, the sustainable bioeconomy scenario assumes strong sustainability measures that reveal the extensive potential of the bioeconomy to support the achievement of the SDGs.

Objective: This study aims to analyze the contribution of Regional Development Banks (BPDs) to Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) and poverty reduction in Indonesia during the 2014–2023 period, with a focus on the role of third-party funds (DPK) and loan disbursement as financial intermediation mechanisms. The study is framed within the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Theoretical Framework: Grounded in the theory of financial intermediation and regional economic development, this study employs both supply-leading and demand-following approaches. Concepts of financial assets and macroeconomic indicators are used to explain the relationships among financial intermediation, economic performance, and poverty outcomes. Method: Using a quantitative approach, panel data from 34 provinces were analyzed through regression to assess the influence of DPK, total assets, and total loan on GRDP and poverty levels. Data were sourced from the Indonesia Financial Services Authority (OJK), Statistics Indonesia (BPS), and BPDs financial reports (2014–2023). Results and Discussion: The findings indicate that DPK positively influences loan distribution, while total assets show no significant effect. BPD loans have a positive impact on regional economic growth and contribute to poverty reduction. Economic growth also plyas a significant role in decreasing poverty, hihglighting the strategic role of BPDs in promoting inclusive and sustainable regional development in line with SDG targets. Research Implications: This study supports the institutional strengthening and digital transformation of BPDs to enhance financial efficiency, inclusion, and their contribution to sustainable development. The results offer policy insights for aligning regional banking practices with Indonesia’s national development agenda and the global SDGs framework. Originality/Value: This research presents comprehensive empirical evidence from all Indonesian provinces, revealing the causal relationships between BPD performance, economic growth, and poverty alleviation. By situating these findings within the SDGs context, the study contributes to the discourse on the role of subnational financial institutions in sustainable regional development.

Access to sufficient amounts of energy is a prerequisite for the development of human well-being. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) recognize the interconnectedness of climate change, energy access and development. However, not all SDG targets are quantified, leaving room for ambiguity in fulfilling, for example, the goal of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all (SDG7). We show how specific sustainable development targets for health indicators are strongly correlated with electricity consumption levels in the poorest of countries. Clear thresholds in per capita electricity consumption of a few hundred kWh per year are identified by analyzing SDG indicator data as a function of per capita country electricity consumption. Those thresholds are strongly correlated with meeting of SDG 3 targets-below the identified thresholds, countries do not meet the SDG targets, while above the threshold there is a clear relationship between increasing consumption of electricity and improvement of SDG indicators. Electricity consumption of 400 kWh per capita is significantly higher than projections made by international agencies for future energy access, but only 5%–10% that of OECD countries. At the very least, the presence of thresholds and historical data patterns requires an understanding of how SDG targets would be met in the absence of this threshold level of electricity access.

The success of the 2030 Agenda hinges on mobilization at the local level. The localization of sustainable development goals (SDGs) and their targets involves adapting them to local contexts. This case study of Quebec City, Canada, illustrates how the use of a systemic sustainability analysis tool can help integrate SDGs in the building of a sustainable development strategy at the local level. Our approach focuses on the use of an SDG target prioritization grid (SDGT-PG) and begins with the mobilization and training of a group of officers representing various city services. We first used an original text-mining framework to evaluate SDG integration within existing strategic documents published by the city. The result provides a portrait of existing contributions to SDG targets and identifies potential synergies and trade-offs between services and existing policies. A citywide prioritization workshop was held to assess the relative importance of SDG targets for the city. Priorities were then identified by combining the importance of the targets as viewed by stakeholders, the current level of achievement of SDG targets as determined by the analysis of existing documents, and the jurisdiction and responsibilities given to Quebec City in regard to federal and provincial legislation. We identified the main focus areas and related SDG targets. Furthermore, we observed whether actions needed to be consolidated or new actions needed to be implemented. The identification of synergies and trade-offs within the city service actions provides information on the links to be made between the different municipal services and calls for partnerships with other organizations. The use of the SDGT-PG allows the vertical and horizontal integration of the SDG targets and demonstrates how participation and inclusion facilitate stakeholders’ appropriation of the applied sustainable development strategy.

Achieving the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) results in many ecological, social, and economic consequences that are inter-related. Understanding relationships between sustainability goals and determining their interactions can help prioritize effective and efficient policy options. This paper presents a framework that integrates existing knowledge from literature and expert opinions to rapidly assess the relationships between one SDG goal and another. Specifically, given the important role of the oceans in the world's social-ecological systems, this study focuses on how SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and the targets within that goal, contributes to other SDG goals. This framework differentiates relationships based on compatibility (co-benefit, trade-off, neutral), the optional nature of achieving one goal in attaining another, and whether these relationships are context dependent. The results from applying this framework indicate that oceans SDG targets are related to all other SDG goals, with two ocean targets (of seven in total) most related across all other SDG goals. Firstly, the ocean SDG target to increase economic benefits to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and least developed countries for sustainable marine uses has positive relationships across all SDGs. Secondly, the ocean SDG target to eliminate overfishing, illegal and destructive fishing practices is a necessary pre-condition for achieving the largest number of other SDG targets. This study highlights the importance of the oceans in achieving sustainable development. The rapid assessment framework can be applied to other SDGs to comprehensively map out the subset of targets that are also pivotal in achieving sustainable development.

Waste management plays an important role in sustainable development. The innovative management of waste results in minimizing the adverse effects of climate change, and social and economic sustainability. The creation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations in 2015 was an important step toward environmental sustainability, whereby the 17 goals focus on strengthening the means of implementing and revitalizing the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development. This research paper applies a systematic literature review using the PRISMA methodology to analyze different published research papers and research reports mainly focused on waste management and its relationship with the SDGs. This paper extensively discusses the context of waste management, SDGs, waste indicators in SDGs, and the relationship between SDGs and waste management. This paper also widely discusses the aspects of waste management regarding SDGs. The results are further divided into two sub-categories, including descriptive results, which elaborate the different approaches that are used to review the literature for this paper, and thematic results, which include the key results and discussions of different aspects of this paper. The analysis of different published research papers and research reports mainly focuses on waste management and its relationship with the SDGs. This study presents a discussion of (1) the detailed context of waste management about SDGs, (2) the waste indicators in SDGs and (3) the relationship between waste management and SDGs. This study suggests future possible areas of research by extending the regional boundaries, increasing the number of papers, focusing on more specific SDG goals and targets and studying case studies based on the specific targets and indicators.

NCD Countdown 2030: worldwide trends in non-communicable disease mortality and progress towards Sustainable Development Goal target 3.4

Linking the bioeconomy to the 2030 sustainable development agenda: Can SDG indicators be used to monitor progress towards a sustainable bioeconomy?

<h3></h3> The UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on decent work and economic growth dovetails with recently published work to develop a comprehensive approach to assess the burden of work-related injury, disease, and distress. Overall, decent work is work that has a low burden of morbidity, mortality, disability, cost, and psychosocial impacts. Generally, this burden has been incompletely portrayed and underestimated. To address this underestimation a comprehensive framework for burden has been developed. The framework includes four elements: utilising multiple domains, including the individual worker, the worker's family, the community in which the workplace is located, the employer, and society as a whole; taking a broader view of the work–relatedness of disease; assessing the impact of the entire working–life continuum; and applying the comprehensive concept of 'well–being' as an indicator in addressing contemporary change in the nature of work, the workforce, and the work place. Measuring the burden in these elements and their composite may serve as benchmarks to gauge progress on meeting SDG targets for decent work. For this to be practical there needs to research on developing and measuring these individual elements of burden and determining the means to integrate them. This may involve looking beyond the traditional sources of surveillance data. Various concepts in the proposed burden elements are resonant with the SDG goals and targets. For example, underemployment and unemployment which appear to have similar health effects are resonant with the target of full and productive employment. Similarly, full and productive employment should be considered across the whole working-life continuum. Taking a comprehensive view of burden and applying it to the SDG targets is worth considering and this presentation will establish that proposition. <h3>Disclaimer</h3> The opinions in this presentation are those of the author and not necessarily of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

This study examines the role of maqashid al-sharia–based zakat accounting in supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the National Zakat Agency of North Sumatra Province. Using a descriptive qualitative approach and an interpretive paradigm, the research explores the implementation of PSAK 109, the integration of maqashid al-sharia values, and the contribution of zakat programs to SDG targets. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, direct observations, and analysis of financial statements and program reports issued by National Zakat Agency. The findings reveal that National Zakat Agency North Sumatra has applied zakat accounting in accordance with PSAK 109 to ensure transparency and accountability, although the measurement of maqashid-oriented social impact has not yet been fully quantified. Core maqashid values such as hifz al-mal, hifz al-nafs, and hifz al-aql are reflected in the institution’s flagship programs, including Sumatera Utara Makmur, Sumatera Utara Sehat, and Sumatera Utara Cerdas, which contribute directly to SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The study highlights that zakat accounting serves not only as a financial reporting mechanism but also as an instrument for promoting social and spiritual development aligned with maqashid al-sharia. Nonetheless, challenges remain in developing measurable indicators, strengthening human resource capacity in sharia-based accounting, and aligning maqashid values with SDG targets. The study recommends the development of a Maqashid–SDGs Index and enhanced competency building to strengthen the role of zakat in sustainable development. Overall, the findings reinforce the potential of zakat accounting as a model of Islamic sustainable accounting oriented toward societal welfare and long-term impact

Re-defining Sustainability: Living in Harmony with Life on Earth

PurposeThis paper aims to assess how cocoa supply chain companies disclose sustainable development goals (SDGs) information in their sustainability reports. This assessment highlights strategic aspects of sustainable supply chain management and reveals leveraging sustainability points in the cocoa industry.Design/methodology/approachThe two-step qualitative approach relies on text-mining company reports and subsequent content analysis that identifies the topics disclosed and relates them to SDG targets.FindingsThis study distinguishes 18 SDG targets connected to cocoa traders and 30 SDG targets to chocolate manufacturers. The following topics represent the main nexuses of connections: decent labour promotion and gender equity (social), empowering local communities and supply chain monitoring (economic) and agroforestry and climate action (environmental).Practical implicationsBy highlighting the interconnections between the SDGs targeted by companies in the cocoa supply chain, this paper sheds light on the strategic SDGs for this industry and their relationships, which can help to improve sustainability disclosure and transparency. One interesting input for companies is the improvement of climate crisis prevention, focusing on non-renewable sources minimisation, carbon footprint and clear indicators of ecologic materiality.Social implicationsThis study contributes to policymakers to enhance governance and accountability of global supply chains that are submitted to different regulation regimes.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous study has framed the cocoa industry from a broader SDG perspective. The interconnections identified reveal the key goals of the cocoa supply chain and point to strategic sustainability choices for companies in an important global industry.