Assuming accuracy, pretending influence? Risks of measuring, monitoring and reporting sustainable development goals

Abstract

From the local to global level, indicators and reports are produced and published to support the transition towards sustainable development. Building from two European-level science–policy workshops, this perspective essay discusses the types of risks involved with such sustainability reporting. The analysis is rooted in the framework of the UN 2030 Agenda and sustainable development goals (SDG). As a globally adopted framework, it provides an example of how risks are either recognised and framed, or non-recognised. Well recognised risks include data availability for SDGs and siloed preparation of indicators, while risks receiving less attention are ritualistic reporting lacking a critical evaluation of the limitations of the SDG framework itself. These different risks are likely to reinforce each other. A specific risk is a too narrow focus on one-way communication aiming to inform individual policy decisions. Risks related to SDGs are best managed with iterative, integrative and interactive knowledge production fostering holistic understanding.

Sustainable Development Goals and risks: The Yin and the Yang of the paths towards sustainability

“…Grounding on the expertise of the PEER 3 network, we conducted a review of scientific, technical and institutional literature related to risk and sustainability issues. It was supplemented by inputs obtained from two workshops (Lyytima ¨ki et al 2022) that had participants from the policymaking sector, as well as from the finance, insurance and natural resource management sectors. We focussed on the conceptualisation, acceptance and operationalisation of risks currently existing in research and international guidelines and on their uses in practice for environmental risk mitigation and governance.…”

SDGs at the halfway point: How the 17 global goals address risks and wicked problems

“…As highlighted by the articles presented above, the success of SDG implementation is not so much to be identified from the actions aimed at implementing individual SDGs or targets, but more from integrative actions purposefully, or incidentally, directing attention to win-win solutions and avoidance of trade-offs between SDGs (see e.g. Dorber et al 2023;Lyytima ¨ki et al 2023).…”

“…Furthermore, there can be challenges in communicating the SDGs between national and local level (Armenteras et al 2023). This also underlines the importance of engaging a larger audience in the SDGs (Dorber et al 2023;Lyytima ¨ki et al 2023).…”

“…Dealing with such risks is becoming more topical as the target year of the SDGs is approaching. This points towards the need for an explicit joint agenda for risks and SDGs Lyytima ¨ki et al 2023).…”