Characterization of SDGs towards Coastal Management: Sustainability Performance and Cross-Linking Consequences

Abstract

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and associated targets focus on a wide range of global issues and can be useful in coastal challenges such as climate change and green economic growth. The aim of this study is to tailor the SDGs, as a universally recognized policy framework, to assess the sustainability performance for coastal flood protection management to enhance climate-resilient and adaptable coastal development. To operationalize this aim, the SDG Sustainability Impact Score (SDG-SIS) framework was developed. Based on system functionalities for the land–sea interface, 38 SDGs were identified in the SDG-SIS framework. Given the availability of public numeric data, only 12 SDG targets are connected with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The SDG-SIS framework was applied to two different sets of cases, including five coastline and five sand nourishment cases. This study shows that the geographical and socioeconomic characteristics of the two sets of cases should be considered in the selection of system functionalities as well as the consideration of SDG targets. Moreover, cross-linking cumulative consequences of SIS do not directly indicate the level of sustainability, but the individual SDG target data are essential to reveal the underlying details. This stresses the importance of prioritizing SDGs to serve as leverage for policymakers to optimize the climate resilience and adaptation of coastal management. The SDG-SIS framework enables the support of coastal policy by addressing long-term measures and providing a sustainable vision for future implementation.

A Framework to Evaluate the SDG Contribution of Fluvial Nature-Based Solutions

“…The type of environment under consideration typically differs; Kumar et al [10], Ruangpan et al [11], Calliari et al [14], and Nesshöver et al [15] do not focus on a single environment, in contrast to many other studies wherein a specific type of environment is the focus. The environments most studied are urban, large rivers (250-300 km), and coasts [11,13,[16][17][18][19][20][21].…”

“…Initially, studies such as those by ones of Artmann et al [22], Pakzad et al [23], Raymond et al [20] showed that NBSs interact across and within society, economy, and environment. Building on that, subsequent studies (e.g., [18,21,24]) examined the potential contributions of NBSs to the UN 2030 Agenda by examining the SDGs and/or their targets. Schipper et al [21] developed the Sustainability Impact Score (SIS) Assessment Framework, which uses a selection of SDGs and SDG targets to score the sustainability performance of coastal management projects.…”

“…Building on that, subsequent studies (e.g., [18,21,24]) examined the potential contributions of NBSs to the UN 2030 Agenda by examining the SDGs and/or their targets. Schipper et al [21] developed the Sustainability Impact Score (SIS) Assessment Framework, which uses a selection of SDGs and SDG targets to score the sustainability performance of coastal management projects. Whilst it is apparent that some of the recent frameworks address the SDGs and/or SDG targets from the UN 2030 Agenda, they omit consideration of the SDG indicators.…”

Environmental Services: A New Approach Toward Addressing Sustainable Development Goals in Sub-Saharan Africa

“…Several studies have identified the correspondence between SDGs and aspects of the environment (sensu lato), including climate and ecosystems (e.g., Walmsley, 2002;Cumming et al, 2017;Nhamo, 2017;Omisore, 2018;Dawson et al, 2019) but this recognition has not followed through into meaningful developmental strategies that use environmental measures as performance indicators (Nhemachena et al, 2018;Le Roux and Pretorius, 2019;Jiménez-Aceituno et al, 2020). There is therefore a disconnection between the driving factors behind sustainable development, and the performance indicators used for monitoring achievement of SDGs (e.g., Patole, 2018;Schipper et al, 2021). This is clearly an issue for correctly identifying, enacting and monitoring the success of sustainable development strategies (Knight, 2015).…”

Mathematical Model for Cargo Allocation Problem in Synchromodal Transportation

“…It is, therefore, necessary to take into account all the needs of stakeholders and ensure a better and more sustainable future for all. It is important to describe the conditions and barriers to the implementation of MDGs in freight supply chains, which reflect supply chain practices for research and performance evaluation in line with sustainable development goals [8,9].…”