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Political Criteria for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Selection and the Role of the Urban Dimension

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  • Manuel Rivera

    (IASS Project, Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Berliner Street 130, Potsdam 14467, Germany)

Abstract

A flood of ideas and proposals on the shape and selection of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has begun to rise since 2012. This article looks at some of them, trying to understand which kind of “boundary work” between science and policy is done here. Starting with a reflection on the epistemological and practical implications of “discussing SDGs”, it primarily addresses scientists, but also decision makers and activists interested in the post-2015 debate. In practical terms of SDG selection, the argument goes in favor of a self-reflective “politization of science”; i.e. , against claims for broad scientific comprehensiveness of SDGs and in favor of an “exemplary” selection of thematic areas and targets, which would combine aspects of (i) political opportunity and (ii) societal visibility. These criteria are only very partially met in the proposals the article looks at. By applying them, the article emphasizes the political importance of addressing, through SDGs, the subnational level directly, thus making the case for an SDG on cities. Such an SDG should, by the same logic, be rather focused and exemplary than all-encompassing. The recently employed formula of “resilient, inclusive and connected cities” is considered useful, when accompanied by tangible and communicable indicators.

Suggested Citation

  • Manuel Rivera, 2013. "Political Criteria for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Selection and the Role of the Urban Dimension," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(12), pages 1-18, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:5:y:2013:i:12:p:5034-5051:d:30864
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    Cited by:

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    2. Pruethsan Sutthichaimethee & Danupon Ariyasajjakorn, 2021. "The Management Efficiency of the Sustainable Development Policy under Thailand s Energy Law: Enriching the SEM-based on the ARIMAXi model," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 11(5), pages 472-482.
    3. Roland Zinkernagel & James Evans & Lena Neij, 2018. "Applying the SDGs to Cities: Business as Usual or a New Dawn?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-18, September.
    4. Elena De la Poza & Paloma Merello & Antonio Barberá & Alberto Celani, 2021. "Universities’ Reporting on SDGs: Using THE Impact Rankings to Model and Measure Their Contribution to Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-28, February.
    5. Pruethsan Sutthichaimethee & Sthianrapab Naluang, 2019. "The Efficiency of the Sustainable Development Policy for Energy Consumption under Environmental Law in Thailand: Adapting the SEM-VARIMAX Model," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-21, August.
    6. David Tremblay & Sabine Gowsy & Olivier Riffon & Jean-François Boucher & Samuel Dubé & Claude Villeneuve, 2021. "A Systemic Approach for Sustainability Implementation Planning at the Local Level by SDG Target Prioritization: The Case of Quebec City," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-20, February.
    7. Konrad Gürtler & Manuel Rivera, 2019. "New Departures—Or a Spanner in the Works? Exploring Narratives of Impact-Driven Sustainability Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-17, November.
    8. Eduilson Carneiro & Wilza Lopes & Giovana Espindola, 2021. "Linking Urban Sprawl and Surface Urban Heat Island in the Teresina–Timon Conurbation Area in Brazil," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-16, May.

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