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What Does SDG Monitoring Practice Tell Us? An Analysis of 120 Voluntary Local Reviews

Author

Listed:
  • Iraklis Stamos

    (European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 41092 Seville, Spain)

  • Luis Vivas

    (European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 41092 Seville, Spain)

  • Iria Enrique Regueira

    (European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 41092 Seville, Spain)

  • Cecilia Bertozzi

    (European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 41092 Seville, Spain)

Abstract

This paper examines how local governments monitor the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through voluntary local reviews (VLRs), focusing on localised practices from 2016 to 2024. Given the crucial role of local authorities in SDG implementation, the research aims to analyse differences in monitoring approaches and indicator usage across various types of local governments worldwide. The analysis involved 120 VLRs, using both quantitative methods to assess the number of indicators per goal and semantic clustering techniques to explore thematic patterns. Results show that cities are the most active in SDG localisation, especially for goals aligned with urban governance, such as Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities) and Goal 4 (Quality Education). Some goals, such as Goal 15 (Life on Land) and Goal 17 (Partnerships), are less frequently monitored, reflecting challenges in translating national objectives to local contexts. Semantic clustering highlighted both strong alignments and gaps in SDG indicator usage, particularly for overlapping goals. The paper underscores the need for more tailored, context-specific indicators for local authorities to effectively monitor SDGs, while highlighting the leadership role that cities play in this process.

Suggested Citation

  • Iraklis Stamos & Luis Vivas & Iria Enrique Regueira & Cecilia Bertozzi, 2024. "What Does SDG Monitoring Practice Tell Us? An Analysis of 120 Voluntary Local Reviews," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-26, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:23:p:10649-:d:1536887
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andrea Ciambra & Iraklis Stamos & Alice Siragusa, 2023. "Localizing and Monitoring Climate Neutrality through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Framework: The Case of Madrid," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-17, March.
    2. Rémy Rioux & Matthieu Trichet, & Jean-David Naudet, 2024. "The 18th SDG? Democracy, Development and International Assistance," Working Paper 9b4d28b7-d9a0-4ccf-a205-3, Agence française de développement.
    3. Shipra Narang Suri & Martino Miraglia & Andrea Ferrannini, 2021. "Voluntary Local Reviews as Drivers for SDG Localisation and Sustainable Human Development," Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(4), pages 725-736, October.
    4. Louis Meuleman, 2021. "Public Administration and Governance for the SDGs: Navigating between Change and Stability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-22, May.
    5. Hametner, Markus, 2022. "Economics without ecology: How the SDGs fail to align socioeconomic development with environmental sustainability," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    6. Serena Clark & Malcolm MacLachlan & Kevin Marshall & Niall Morahan & Claire Carroll & Karen Hand & Neasa Boyle & Katriona O’Sullivan, 2022. "Including Digital Connection in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: A Systems Thinking Approach for Achieving the SDGs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-13, February.
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