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Neverland or Tomorrowland? Addressing (In)compatibility among the SDG Pillars in Europe

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  • Joana Costa

    (DEGEIT—Department of Economics, Management, Industrial Engineering and Tourism, Campus Universitario de Santiago, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
    GOVCOPP—Research Unit on Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policies, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
    INESCTEC—Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science, R. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal)

  • Diana Cancela

    (DEGEIT—Department of Economics, Management, Industrial Engineering and Tourism, Campus Universitario de Santiago, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • João Reis

    (GOVCOPP—Research Unit on Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policies, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
    Industrial Engineering and Management, Faculty of Engineering, Campo Grande, Lusófona University and EIGeS, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal)

Abstract

The 2015–2030 agenda framed Sustainable Development as a Universal venture. This decision has a great historic significance as it encompasses building a better future for the whole of humanity, enrolling the millions who have been denied the chance to live a decent, dignified and fulfilling life and to achieve their potential. For the first time, an entire generation will have the chance to succeed in ending poverty while being the last to have a chance of saving the planet. The world will be a better place in 2030 if humanity succeeds in this journey. However, there is hovering skepticism around the feasibility of this accomplishment. The article aims to empirically test the (in)compatibilities among these objectives even for developed economies such as the European Union countries, demonstrating that unless solid bridges are built promoting innovative networks at a transnational level, welfare and prosperity among those ecosystems will be compromised. The results show that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) pillars have heterogeneous determinants, which are to some extent incompatible. Moreover, policy makers need to further reinforce multi-country compensations if the environment is to be preserved.

Suggested Citation

  • Joana Costa & Diana Cancela & João Reis, 2021. "Neverland or Tomorrowland? Addressing (In)compatibility among the SDG Pillars in Europe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-18, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:22:p:11858-:d:677383
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    References listed on IDEAS

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