Bibliometric Analysis of Research Hotspots and Frontiers in Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), established in 2015, are binding targets for monitoring the sustainable status of all countries in the world. Developing localized SDGs indicator systems, assessing SDGs progress comprehensively, and creating policy tools have gradually become the hotspots of scientific research and practical application of the SDGs. To systematically sort out the research status of the SDGs progress and identify problematic gaps, this paper uses bibliometric methods to analyse the scientific knowledge mapping of SDGs research, sort out the general characteristics, scientific cooperation, cutting-edge hotspots and future research trends of SDGs research. Besides, this paper promotes the integration of academic research into concrete practice by linking it to mainstream SDGs progress reports. The results show that: ① The amount of SDGs research literature in 2015–2022 is on a growing trend, and the existing research is characterised by multidisciplinary crossover. Research institutions such as Utrecht University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have contributed the most to SDGs research. ② The research hotspots include the SDGs practice of different responsible subjects, the comprehensive assessment of the progress of SDGs, the scientific research of SDGs indicators, and the research on the interaction between the goals of SDGs. ③ Environmental issues, indicators, energy transition, education and agriculture are the hot directions of SDGs research. Energy saving and carbon reduction, sustainable practices of supply chain management, and promoting the progress of environmental dimension goals are the focus of subsequent research. According to the results of the bibliometric analysis, future SDGs research should pay attention to strengthening multi-party cooperation, using innovative technologies to support the assessment of SDGs progress, and formulating sustainable development strategies.

Quality Education for All: A Fuzzy Set Analysis of Sustainable Development Goal Compliance

“…Even so, complexities, limitations, and contradictions have become evident, with consequent difficulties in achieving the 17 SDGs [12,13]. In an attempt to ensure that the SDGs are moving in the right direction, it is essential to monitor their progress, assess what has changed since the launch of the SDGs (i.e., evolution since their implementation), detect problems, and define development priorities to be implemented in different contexts [7,9,[12][13][14].…”

“…Therefore, since the SDGs are roughly halfway through the deadline set for their implementation in the Agenda 2030, it seems reasonable to assess whether there has been any change in sustainability trends since its launch [13]. It is worth highlighting the existence of reports published by the UN that detail the global implementation of the SDGs and analyze specific goals and indicators, considering a diversity of contexts and consequent variations in the applicability of the worldwide indicator system [14].…”

“…Therefore, monitoring can be fundamental at the local and global policy levels in defining an approach that is more appropriate and realistic [12,13]. The UN encourages specific studies by countries, to accurately assess the SDGs' progress and promote integrated global, national, and regional assessments [14].…”

Quality Education for All: A Fuzzy Set Analysis of Sustainable Development Goal Compliance

“…Even so, complexities, limitations, and contradictions have become evident, with consequent difficulties in achieving the 17 SDGs. In an attempt to ensure that the SDGs are moving in the right direction, it is essential to monitor their progress, assess what has changed since the launch of the SDGs (i.e., evolution since their implementation), detect problems, and define development priorities to be implemented in different contexts [11].…”

“…Therefore, since the SDGs are roughly halfway through the deadline set for their implementation in the Agenda 2030, it seems reasonable to assess whether there has been any change in sustainability trends since its launch. It is worth high-lighting the existence of reports published by the UN that detail the global implementation of the SDGs and analyze specific goals and indicators, considering a diversity of contexts and consequent variations in the applicability of the worldwide indicator system [11]. Monitoring compliance with the SDGs and its "immediate" implication can also be crucial in the medium term.…”