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Decoupling of SDGs followed by re-coupling as sustainable development progresses

Author

Listed:
  • Xutong Wu

    (Beijing Normal University)

  • Bojie Fu

    (Beijing Normal University
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Shuai Wang

    (Beijing Normal University)

  • Shuang Song

    (Beijing Normal University)

  • Yingjie Li

    (Michigan State University
    Michigan State University)

  • Zhenci Xu

    (The University of Hong Kong)

  • Yongping Wei

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Jianguo Liu

    (Michigan State University)

Abstract

Understanding the complex interactions among the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is key to achieving all of the SDGs and ‘leaving no one behind’. However, research about dynamic changes of SDG interactions is limited, and how they change as sustainable development progresses remains elusive. Here, we used a correlational network approach and a global SDG database of 166 countries to analyse the evolution of SDG interactions along a progression of sustainable development measured by the SDG Index. SDG interactions showed nonlinear changes as the SDG Index increased: SDGs were both more positively and more negatively connected at low and high sustainable development levels, but they were clustered into more isolated positive connection groups at middle levels. The identification of a process of decoupling followed by re-coupling along the SDG Index strengthens our understanding of sustainable development and may help to suggest action priorities to achieve as many SDGs as possible by 2030.

Suggested Citation

  • Xutong Wu & Bojie Fu & Shuai Wang & Shuang Song & Yingjie Li & Zhenci Xu & Yongping Wei & Jianguo Liu, 2022. "Decoupling of SDGs followed by re-coupling as sustainable development progresses," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 5(5), pages 452-459, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:5:y:2022:i:5:d:10.1038_s41893-022-00868-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-022-00868-x
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    Cited by:

    1. Qiang Xing & Chaoyang Wu & Fang Chen & Jianguo Liu & Prajal Pradhan & Brett A. Bryan & Thomas Schaubroeck & L. Roman Carrasco & Alemu Gonsamo & Yunkai Li & Xiuzhi Chen & Xiangzheng Deng & Andrea Alban, 2024. "Intranational synergies and trade-offs reveal common and differentiated priorities of sustainable development goals in China," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Ogutu B. Osoro & Edward J. Oughton & Andrew R. Wilson & Akhil Rao, 2023. "Sustainability assessment of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite broadband megaconstellations," Papers 2309.02338, arXiv.org, revised Mar 2024.
    3. Min Cao & Min Chen & Junze Zhang & Prajal Pradhan & Huadong Guo & Bojie Fu & Yue Li & Yuying Bai & Lijiao Chang & Yu Chen & Zhongchang Sun & Zhenci Xu & Rui Zhu & Michael E. Meadows & Guonian Lü, 2023. "Spatio-temporal changes in the causal interactions among Sustainable Development Goals in China," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-9, December.
    4. Su, Dan & Cao, Yu & Wang, Jiayi & Fang, Xiaoqian & Wu, Qing, 2023. "Toward constructing an eco-account of cultivated land by quantifying the resources flow and eco-asset transfer in China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    5. Kun Peng & Kuishuang Feng & Bin Chen & Yuli Shan & Ning Zhang & Peng Wang & Kai Fang & Yanchao Bai & Xiaowei Zou & Wendong Wei & Xinyi Geng & Yiyi Zhang & Jiashuo Li, 2023. "The global power sector’s low-carbon transition may enhance sustainable development goal achievement," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
    6. Ying Pan & Ke Shi & Zhongxu Zhao & Yao Li & Junxi Wu, 2024. "The effects of China’s poverty eradication program on sustainability and inequality," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, December.
    7. Fangkai Zhao & Lei Yang & Haw Yen & Qingyu Feng & Min Li & Liding Chen, 2023. "Reducing risks of antibiotics to crop production requires land system intensification within thresholds," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.

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