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The Status of the Sustainable Development Goals: Achievements and Expectations

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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 May 2022) | Viewed by 30266

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Montserrat Zamorano

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Guest Editor

Department of Civil Engineering, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Interests: topics related to the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular the following: clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy; industry, innovation, and infrastructure; sustainable cities and communities (sustainable buildings construction); responsible consumption and production (waste management according to circular economy principles)
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Dr. Javier Ordóñez

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Guest Editor

Engineering Construction and Project Management, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Interests: topics related to the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular the following: clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy; industry, innovation, and infrastructure; sustainable cities and communities (sustainable buildings construction)

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Since its adoption in September 2015, the 2030 Agenda has laid the foundations for model of shared prosperity for a sustainable world in which all people can lead a peaceful and prosperous life freely and on a healthy planet. There is a less than a decade until we reach 2030, in the midst of a difficult pandemic that is laying bare the deep inequalities affecting not only our health, but also our quality of life and the economy of the countries, among other issues. It will depend on us whether this situation leads us to the point of no return or, on the contrary, whether it represents an incentive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the established date.

The Open Access journal Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417; CiteScore 2.458; IF 2.474) is currently running a Special Issue titled "The Status of the Sustainable Development Goals: Achievements and Expectations". It is devoted to publishing high quality papers that analyze the most significant and cutting-edge research of solutions that will contribute to the fulfilment of the SDGs. Contributions regarding people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnerships are expected.

We cordially invite you to submit a paper to this exciting Special Issue. It could be a full review or an original research article. Your papers will be highly advertised and widely circulated. Everyone will be able to easily access and read them, as this Special Issue will be freely available online. It would be a pleasure for us if you would agree to participate.

Dr. Montserrat Zamorano
Dr. Javier Ordóñez
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation
2030 Agenda

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

15 pages, 1031 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Analysis of Research on the SDGs: The Relationship between Climate Change, Poverty and Inequality

by María del Carmen Pérez-Peña, Mercedes Jiménez-García, Jose Ruiz-Chico and Antonio Rafael Peña-Sánchez

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(19), 8947; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11198947 - 26 Sep 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5320

Abstract

Since its adoption in September 2015, the 2030 Agenda has laid the foundations for a model of shared prosperity for a sustainable world. The current global pandemic highlights profound inequalities affecting our economies, health, and quality of life. For this reason, the aim of this study was to present the current state of scientific research related to inequality, poverty, and climate change, and to propose lines of improvement that can contribute to achieving three of the 17 SDGs (end poverty, SDG 1; reduce inequality, SDG 10; and climate action, SDG 13), proposed in the 2030 Agenda. For this purpose, we undertook a systematic literature review. The results show that the subject of poverty, inequality, and climate change has been little studied or articulated by researchers, and significant differences exist between the different areas studied. The highest number of publications (51.7%) is associated with topics related to sustainability—environment and economics. The remainder are distributed among 12 other research areas. Another relevant finding is that the effects of climate change are more pressing for more vulnerable populations, including impoverished women from rural areas and children from underdeveloped countries. This gender and social inequality has been rarely addressed in studies. Food security and energy poverty is another under-researched area. According to the results obtained in this work, we consider that the circular economy may improve these indicators, constituting a line of future research. Thus, one of the main objectives of this approach is to eliminate negative externalities, specifically the existing social inequalities within the current linear economy model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Status of the Sustainable Development Goals: Achievements and Expectations)

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18 pages, 4325 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analyzing the Scientific Evolution of the Sustainable Development Goals

by Carmen Díaz-López, Cathaysa Martín-Blanco, Juan Jesús De la Torre Bayo, Benito Rubio-Rivera and Montserrat Zamorano

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(18), 8286; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11188286 - 07 Sep 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3039

Abstract

Development must balance social, economic, and environmental sustainability; it is for this reason that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are integrated, in fact, action in one of them will affect outcomes in others. In consequence, research on the SDGs is broad, complex, and fragmented due to the great diversity of disciplines and approaches involved, making it difficult to obtain valuable and unbiased information for future studies. As a result, a comprehensive review of contributions could provide a comprehensive critical perspective. This article applies SciMAT software to analyze the evolution of this field of research through a systematic literature review of bibliographic records on the SDGs and a review based on bibliometric analysis of 10,272 selected records. Additionally, hidden themes and their development in this field from 1990 to 2020 have been identified to produce strategic diagrams, graphs of thematic evolution and performance indicators of the research field in different periods. The results obtained show a constantly evolving scientific field, from its initial focus on the millennium goals to the gradual inclusion of the current SDGs. They provide field experts with a comprehensive overview of the status quo and predict the dynamic directions of future research, serving as a basis for the development of new strategies for the implementation of the SDGs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Status of the Sustainable Development Goals: Achievements and Expectations)

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18 pages, 3257 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Does the Mass Public Transport System Cover the Social Transport Needs? Targeting SDG 11.2 in Guadalajara, Mexico

by Gabriela Ochoa-Covarrubias, Alejandro Luis Grindlay and Carmen Lizarraga

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(16), 7709; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11167709 - 21 Aug 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2605

Abstract

This paper analyses how SITEUR, the Mass Public Transport System (MPTS) in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area (GMA), covers transport social needs, contributing to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 11.2. In order to facilitate this, an Index of Mass Transport Provision (IMTP) was measured through proximity, frequency, and capacity. Then, an Index of Social Transport Needs (ISTN) was calculated by means of transport disadvantage indicators. Finally, the Index of Social Transport Needs Covered (ICSTN) was calculated. The calculations used geographic information systems and principal component analysis in 1834 geographic sections. Findings highlight that 50.3% of the inhabitants have a very high level of social transport needs, while only 6.8% of the population have very low social transport needs. Results show that SITEUR promotes advancement in public transport systems within the GMA relative to quality, security, and reliability and it also contributes to tackling social exclusion in the GMA. A proposal related to transport systems integration is included, to address an important aspect of social exclusion in the city. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Status of the Sustainable Development Goals: Achievements and Expectations)

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12 pages, 1185 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainability and EU Road Transport Carbon Emissions from Consumption of Diesel and Gasoline in 2000 and 2018

by Arshad Bhat and Javier Ordóñez Garcia

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(16), 7601; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11167601 - 19 Aug 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2240

Abstract

To accomplish the 1.5 °C and 2 °C climate change targets, the European Union (EU) has set up several policy initiatives. Within the EU, the carbon emissions of the road transport sector from the consumption of diesel and gasoline are constantly rising. (1) Background: due to road transport policies, diesel and gasoline use within the EU is increasing the amount of carbon in the atmosphere and adding to climate risks. (2) Methods: sustainability analysis used was based on the method recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (3) Results: to meet its road transport requirements, the EU produces an estimated 0.237–0.245 billion tonnes of carbon per year from its total consumption of diesel and gasoline. (4) Conclusion: if there is no significant reduction in diesel and gasoline carbon emissions, there is a real risk that the EU’s carbon budget commitment could lapse and that climate change targets will not be met. Sustainability analysis of energy consumption in road transport sector shows the optimum solution is the direct electrification of road transport. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Status of the Sustainable Development Goals: Achievements and Expectations)

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30 pages, 64066 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Life Cycle Assessment of Bridges Using Bayesian Networks and Fuzzy Mathematics

by Zhi-Wu Zhou, Julián Alcalá, Moacir Kripka and Víctor Yepes

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(11), 4916; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11114916 - 27 May 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2734

Abstract

At present, reducing the impact of the construction industry on the environment is the key to achieving sustainable development. Countries all over the world are using software systems for bridge environmental impact assessment. However, due to the complexity and discreteness of environmental factors in the construction industry, they are difficult to update and determine quickly, and there is a phenomenon of data missing in the database. Most of the lost data are optimized by Monte Carlo simulation, which greatly reduces the reliability and accuracy of the research results. This paper uses Bayesian advanced fuzzy mathematics theory to solve this problem. In the research, a Bayesian fuzzy mathematics evaluation and a multi-level sensitivity priority discrimination model are established, and the weights and membership degrees of influencing factors were defined to achieve comprehensive coverage of influencing factors. With the support of theoretical modelling, software analysis and fuzzy mathematics theory are used to comprehensively evaluate all the influencing factors of the five influencing stages in the entire life cycle of the bridge structure. The results show that the material manufacturing, maintenance, and operation of the bridge still produce environmental pollution; the main source of the emissions exceeds 53% of the total emissions. The effective impact factor reaches 3.01. At the end of the article, a big data sensitivity model was established. Through big data innovation and optimization analysis, traffic pollution emissions were reduced by 330 tonnes. Modeling of the comprehensive research model; application; clearly confirms the effectiveness and practicality of the Bayesian network fuzzy number comprehensive evaluation model in dealing with uncertain factors in the evaluation of the sustainable development of the construction industry. The research results have made important contributions to the realization of the sustainable development goals of the construction industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Status of the Sustainable Development Goals: Achievements and Expectations)

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Review

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19 pages, 1029 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Trends and Content of Research Related to the Sustainable Development Goals: A Systemic Review

by Shin-Cheng Yeh, Yi-Lin Hsieh, Hui-Ching Yu and Yuen-Hsien Tseng

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(13), 6820; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12136820 - 05 Jul 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2959

Abstract

This study employed a comprehensive systematic review of the literature (SRL) process with the Content Analysis Toolkits for Academic Research (CATAR) for conducting a bibliometric analysis of the 2814 general SDG-related papers and 92 review papers selected from the Web of Science database from 2013 to 2022. The overview analysis found that the US and UK took the lead in publication and citation. The WHO and several universities were identified as the most prominent institutes around the globe. The field distribution of the most cited papers revealed the existence of a “strong sustainability” paradigm and the importance of science and technology. A landscape of 1123 papers was included in eight clusters according to the bibliographic coupling algorithms in the Multi-stage Document Clustering (MSDC) process. These clusters were then categorized into three groups, “synergies and trade-offs”, “networking”, and “systems analysis”, demonstrated in the theme maps. As for the 92 SDG-related review papers, most were shaped based on literature analysis without specified countries. Moreover, SDG 3 was identified as that exclusively studied in most papers. The information presented is expected to help research scholars, public sectors, and practitioners monitor, gather, check, analyze, and use the growing volume of SDG-related academic articles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Status of the Sustainable Development Goals: Achievements and Expectations)

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26 pages, 12547 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Ensuring Agricultural Sustainability through Remote Sensing in the Era of Agriculture 5.0

by Vanesa Martos, Ali Ahmad, Pedro Cartujo and Javier Ordoñez

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(13), 5911; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11135911 - 25 Jun 2021

Cited by 57 | Viewed by 9826

Abstract

Timely and reliable information about crop management, production, and yield is considered of great utility by stakeholders (e.g., national and international authorities, farmers, commercial units, etc.) to ensure food safety and security. By 2050, according to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates, around 70% more production of agricultural products will be needed to fulfil the demands of the world population. Likewise, to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially the second goal of “zero hunger”, potential technologies like remote sensing (RS) need to be efficiently integrated into agriculture. The application of RS is indispensable today for a highly productive and sustainable agriculture. Therefore, the present study draws a general overview of RS technology with a special focus on the principal platforms of this technology, i.e., satellites and remotely piloted aircrafts (RPAs), and the sensors used, in relation to the 5th industrial revolution. Nevertheless, since 1957, RS technology has found applications, through the use of satellite imagery, in agriculture, which was later enriched by the incorporation of remotely piloted aircrafts (RPAs), which is further pushing the boundaries of proficiency through the upgrading of sensors capable of higher spectral, spatial, and temporal resolutions. More prominently, wireless sensor technologies (WST) have streamlined real time information acquisition and programming for respective measures. Improved algorithms and sensors can, not only add significant value to crop data acquisition, but can also devise simulations on yield, harvesting and irrigation periods, metrological data, etc., by making use of cloud computing. The RS technology generates huge sets of data that necessitate the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data to extract useful products, thereby augmenting the adeptness and efficiency of agriculture to ensure its sustainability. These technologies have made the orientation of current research towards the estimation of plant physiological traits rather than the structural parameters possible. Futuristic approaches for benefiting from these cutting-edge technologies are discussed in this study. This study can be helpful for researchers, academics, and young students aspiring to play a role in the achievement of sustainable agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Status of the Sustainable Development Goals: Achievements and Expectations)

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