Reasons for the slowdown in the global transition to a sustainable development model

The article analyzes the deceleration of the global transition toward a sustainable development model — a process that, in Russian academic and public discourse, is often addressed in a rather superficial or speculative manner. The study seeks to provide a scientifically grounded assessment of two key questions: (1) what is the current state of this transition, and does it exhibit signs of deceleration or stagnation, as evidenced by quantitative indicators; and (2) what are the principal causes and factors underlying this slowdown? To address the first question, the paper examines the dynamics of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index and trends in responsible investment. The results indicate that since 2019, the global transition to a sustainable development model has indeed slowed, although there is no empirical basis to suggest its complete cessation. In response to the second question, the article identifies and classifies global factors contributing to the slowdown into three major groups: (1) short- and mediumterm global processes; (2) the emergence of new “growth problems” replacing the earlier “formation problems” without corresponding policy adaptation; and (3) inherent contradictions within the sustainable development paradigm itself. The findings provide a foundation for forecasting the future trajectory of the sustainable development model at both global and national levels. Further progress will depend on comparing current inhibitory factors with those that previously spurred the expansion of sustainable finance — a key mechanism in advancing the new model — and on assessing emerging economic, technological, and behavioral drivers capable of reinvigorating the global transition toward sustainability.