Sustainability’s growth, year after year, continues to be staggering, becoming a reference point for those working on these issues. There are 65,433 papers in the Scopus database, of which 61,016 (93%) are articles. The year 2022 proposes 16,996 papers, 21% more than the previous year (14,053 papers). The comparison is even more significant compared to five (2372 papers in 2017) or ten years (167 papers in 2012) ago. In addition, the value for 2023 is already significant (5638 papers). These data are extrapolated from the Scopus database (up to 12 May 2023). The most involved subject areas are energy, environmental science, and social science. Concerning the keywords, the most proposed terms in published papers are sustainability (16,328), China (11,051), and sustainable development (8475). In particular, the country of reference of authors shows that China leads with 18,849 papers, followed by the United States (5685), Spain (5197), South Korea (5012), and Italy (4716). The international nature of the journal is highlighted by the other countries completing the Top 10: United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and Australia. The journal aims to provide answers to current problems [1,2] and, for that reason, has more than thirty sections. This Editorial has the idea of presenting a new section, Development Goals towards Sustainability, that aims to play an ambitious role in the research landscape (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability/sections/Development-Goals-towards-Sustainability). Member countries of the United Nations signed the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015, consisting of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These SDGs aim to protect the planet, eliminate poverty, and ensure peace and prosperity for all citizens. The literature highlights how sustainable development is a relevant necessity for humanity [3]. Achieving such an ambitious goal requires contributions from all countries [4]. The theme turns out to be decomposed into multiple dimensions and perspectives, and concerns different categories of stakeholders that can combine digitization with sustainability [5], support the integration of food security and sustainability in emerging economies [6], identify the connection point between technological progress and sustainable development [7], and use the resources that are available in order to optimize processes [8]. At the same time, the impact of female gender [9] and the contribution of youth [10] toward the SDGs need to be assessed. In addition, a better understanding of artistic artifacts integrates memories of the past with contemporary experiences and life. These are the premises for transforming cultural heritage management into an enabler of sustainable development by boosting regional economies through sustainable tourism practices [11]. Health-related sustainability issues play a key role, and several initiatives can be taken early in life. For example, gestational diabetes mellitus appears to be one of the main causes of perinatal mortality/morbidity [12]. A review highlights how improving eye health can support the achievement of several SDGs [13]. Challenges in planning policies, new business models, strategies, and tools to measure or evaluate sustainability and reduce the uncertainty of the implementation process require new analysis that cannot be limited to analysis of the environmental dimension of sustainability alone [14]. In this direction, indicators need to be developed to monitor the progress of sustainability goals [15]. The application and implementation of the SDGs require setting development priorities to be applied in different contexts, and quantitative approaches are proposed to integrate the different SDGs at both local [16] and global [17] levels. Finally, there are analyses that focus specifically on environmental [18], economic [19], and social [20] aspects. In this way, the literature highlights the relevance of a multi-level approach related to sustainability issues [21]. Bioeconomy, circular economy, and green economy are concepts geared toward promoting sustainability [22]. In addition, public procurement can foster circular models [23], flexible strategies are strategic to support firms [24], waste is a potential resource, in particular for developing countries [25], and we need to provide robustness to the results obtained through alternative scenarios [26]. The 17 SDGs to transform our world are as follows: SDG 1: No Poverty. SDG 2: Zero Hunger. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being. SDG 4: Quality Education. SDG 5: Gender Equality. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. SDG 10: Reduced Inequality. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. SDG 13: Climate Action. SDG 14: Life Below Water. SDG 15: Life on Land. SDG 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions. SDG 17: Partnerships to achieve the SDG.
Development Goals towards Sustainability
Di Vaio, A.;
2023-01-01
Abstract
Sustainability’s growth, year after year, continues to be staggering, becoming a reference point for those working on these issues. There are 65,433 papers in the Scopus database, of which 61,016 (93%) are articles. The year 2022 proposes 16,996 papers, 21% more than the previous year (14,053 papers). The comparison is even more significant compared to five (2372 papers in 2017) or ten years (167 papers in 2012) ago. In addition, the value for 2023 is already significant (5638 papers). These data are extrapolated from the Scopus database (up to 12 May 2023). The most involved subject areas are energy, environmental science, and social science. Concerning the keywords, the most proposed terms in published papers are sustainability (16,328), China (11,051), and sustainable development (8475). In particular, the country of reference of authors shows that China leads with 18,849 papers, followed by the United States (5685), Spain (5197), South Korea (5012), and Italy (4716). The international nature of the journal is highlighted by the other countries completing the Top 10: United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and Australia. The journal aims to provide answers to current problems [1,2] and, for that reason, has more than thirty sections. This Editorial has the idea of presenting a new section, Development Goals towards Sustainability, that aims to play an ambitious role in the research landscape (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability/sections/Development-Goals-towards-Sustainability). Member countries of the United Nations signed the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015, consisting of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These SDGs aim to protect the planet, eliminate poverty, and ensure peace and prosperity for all citizens. The literature highlights how sustainable development is a relevant necessity for humanity [3]. Achieving such an ambitious goal requires contributions from all countries [4]. The theme turns out to be decomposed into multiple dimensions and perspectives, and concerns different categories of stakeholders that can combine digitization with sustainability [5], support the integration of food security and sustainability in emerging economies [6], identify the connection point between technological progress and sustainable development [7], and use the resources that are available in order to optimize processes [8]. At the same time, the impact of female gender [9] and the contribution of youth [10] toward the SDGs need to be assessed. In addition, a better understanding of artistic artifacts integrates memories of the past with contemporary experiences and life. These are the premises for transforming cultural heritage management into an enabler of sustainable development by boosting regional economies through sustainable tourism practices [11]. Health-related sustainability issues play a key role, and several initiatives can be taken early in life. For example, gestational diabetes mellitus appears to be one of the main causes of perinatal mortality/morbidity [12]. A review highlights how improving eye health can support the achievement of several SDGs [13]. Challenges in planning policies, new business models, strategies, and tools to measure or evaluate sustainability and reduce the uncertainty of the implementation process require new analysis that cannot be limited to analysis of the environmental dimension of sustainability alone [14]. In this direction, indicators need to be developed to monitor the progress of sustainability goals [15]. The application and implementation of the SDGs require setting development priorities to be applied in different contexts, and quantitative approaches are proposed to integrate the different SDGs at both local [16] and global [17] levels. Finally, there are analyses that focus specifically on environmental [18], economic [19], and social [20] aspects. In this way, the literature highlights the relevance of a multi-level approach related to sustainability issues [21]. Bioeconomy, circular economy, and green economy are concepts geared toward promoting sustainability [22]. In addition, public procurement can foster circular models [23], flexible strategies are strategic to support firms [24], waste is a potential resource, in particular for developing countries [25], and we need to provide robustness to the results obtained through alternative scenarios [26]. The 17 SDGs to transform our world are as follows: SDG 1: No Poverty. SDG 2: Zero Hunger. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being. SDG 4: Quality Education. SDG 5: Gender Equality. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. SDG 10: Reduced Inequality. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. SDG 13: Climate Action. SDG 14: Life Below Water. SDG 15: Life on Land. SDG 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions. SDG 17: Partnerships to achieve the SDG.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
