Prioritisation and Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals: An International and Metropolitan Approach

Purpose: The aim of the research is to conduct a comparative analysis of the approaches used for SDGs implementation at the regional level in metropolises. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted at the UN General Assembly under Resolution 70/1, cover a wide range of challenges faced by both developing and developed countries. Therefore, the identification and generalisation of national approaches to the implementation of SDGs at the regional level. This study includes a theoretical background of the topic, which focuses on sustainability in cities and urban and metropolitan areas. Sa well as a practical comparison of three metropolitan areas, two in the Poland metropolis GZM and Gdańsk-Gdynia-Sopot Metropolitan Area, and one in Germany, the Ruhr Metropolitan Area. The empirical portion of the study was conducted on the basis of survey questions using a computer-assisted website interview method with three selected research samples totalling 2900 respondents. Design/Methodology/Approach: In the course of the research, criteria for characterising the main goals of the SDGs during the implementation processes at the national and metropolitan levels were proposed, approaches to SDGs institutionalisation within the framework of national policy were compared, substantive priorities of central governments and regional authorities were compared, and specifics of SDGs localisation and implementation at the metropolitan level were revealed. Findings: This is one of the first and largest surveys related to both the implementation and prioritisation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and labour market inclusiveness. This study presents a comparative approach and practical recommendations for metropolitan authorities and other stakeholders as well as directions for further in-depth research. Practical Implications: As a result, differences in the formal institutional practices and structures used, the choice of priority SDGs for localisation and implementation, and the possibilities of resource support for managerial decisions made at the national and metropolitan levels were revealed. Since the countries under study are at the initial process stage of the localisation and implementation of the SDGs at the regional level, the conclusions obtained by the authors may be useful for improving the effectiveness of the work in this direction.