SDG 9 «Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure» and Realisation of it in Belarus

10995/27938В статье рассмотрена цель устойчивого развития №9 «Индустриализация, инновации и инфраструктура» и ее реализация в Беларуси, влияние COVID-19 на инфраструктуру.The article examines sustainable development goal No. 9 «industrialization, innovation and infrastructure» and its realisation in Belarus, the impact of COVID-19 on infrastructure

Capital leaving no one behind? : an empirical study of impact venture capital investments into the sustainable development goals

Purpose: Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires substantial resource mobilization from the private sector to bridge the estimated annual funding gap of $2.5 trillion. Scholars recognize impact investing as part of that solution, but empirical studies in the nascent field are scarce. This study analyses funding patterns of impact venture capital towards the SDGs addressed by social ventures and contextualizes them geographically. Design/methodology/approach: To understand which of the SDGs receive the highest/lowest funding amounts from investors, a sample of 695 impact investment deals between 2017-2021 is collected from a leading financial database. Subsequently, the ventures are manually matched with their corresponding SDGs, and multiple regression models analyse the effect of those SDGs on the deal size while controlling for external factors. Findings: It becomes evident that neither the hypothesized SDGs nor their overarching pillars (planet, people, prosperity, and partnerships) positively influence the funding amount on a global scale. Nevertheless, some of the goals do receive significantly more/less financial attention from impact investors in particular geographies. Implications: On the one hand, the results outline opportunities for impact investors to tackle underfunded SDG segments across several geographies and understand how past capital was allocated to shape future decision-making. On the other hand, policymakers can utilize the insights to identify which goals receive lower funding and supplement the lack of private capital through blended finance initiatives. This dissertation calls for further empirical research in the integrated field of impact investing and the SDGs.Objetivo: Atingir os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS) requer uma mobilização substancial de recursos do setor privado para superar a lacuna de financiamento anual estimada em$2,5 trilhões. Os estudiosos reconhecem o impacto do investimento como parte dessa solução, mas os estudos empíricos no campo nascente são escassos. Este estudo analisa os padrões de financiamento do capital de risco de impacto em direção aos ODS abordados pelos empreendimentos sociais e os contextualiza geograficamente. Metodologia: Para entender qual dos ODS recebe o maior/menor financiamento dos investidores, uma amostra de 695 negócios de investimento de impacto entre 2017-2021 é coletada de um banco de dados financeiro. Posteriormente, os empreendimentos são combinados manualmente com seus ODS correspondentes, e modelos de regressão analisam o efeito desses ODS sobre o tamanho do negócio enquanto controlam fatores externos. Resultados: Torna-se evidente que nem as hipóteses dos ODS nem seus pilares (planeta, pessoas, prosperidade e parcerias) influenciam positivamente o valor do financiamento em escala global. No entanto, alguns dos objetivos recebem significativamente mais/menos atenção financeira dos investidores de impacto em determinadas geografias. Implicações: Por um lado, os resultados esboçam oportunidades para os investidores de impacto enfrentarem segmentos sub-financiados dos ODS em várias geografias e entenderem como o capital passado foi alocado para moldar a tomada de decisões futuras. Por outro lado, os formuladores de políticas podem utilizar as idéias para identificar quais objetivos recebem menos financiamento e complementar com fundos públicos. Esta dissertação exige mais pesquisas empíricas no campo integrado do investimento de impacto e dos ODS

Osiąganie celów zrównoważonego rozwoju w warunkach racjonalnych oczekiwań poprzez osiągnięcie równowagi interesów edukacji i produkcji w zakresie przemysłu lekkiego w trudnych czasach pandemii i wojny

The article presents a comprehensive analysis of the global consequences caused by the development of light industry for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The ecological context allows us to focus on how light industry affects climate change, resource depletion, waste generation and water pollution. It is emphasized that the impact of light industry can create significant challenges for sustainable development related to SDG 13 (Climate action), SDG 6 (Clean water and sanitation), SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production), SDG 14 (Life below water) and SDG 15 (Life on land). The article also examines the socio-economic context, discusses how light industry leads to persistent inequality, loss of traditional skills and cultural heritage, as well as trade imbalance. In terms of social responsibility, light industries have a history of violations of working conditions and labour rights. The socio-economic impacts considered may hinder the achievement of SDGs such as SDG 5 (Gender equality), SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth), SDG 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced inequalities), SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities) and SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production), SDG 17 (Partnerships for the goals). The theory of rational expectations is used to predict the development of light industry and its subsequent impact on sustainable development in the post-pandemic period. The prospects of applying the theory in the training of specialists for light industry are substantiated. The impact of the consequences of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine on the decision-making processes in light industry and their alignment with the sustainable development goals, taking into account civilizational challenges, is considered. In the process of research, an econometric model has been developed to determine the desired balance of interests between education and production based on rational expectations in a sustainable development environment.  It advocates harmony between these two aspects, based on rational expectations, to promote sustainable development. This balance is crucial for achieving SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the goals). The properties of the model provide a wide range of applications, allowing to estimate the impact of a variety of factors on sustainable development in light industry. The developed model can be applied to estimate the values of the dependent variable for individual countries or regions, as well as to analyse the influence of independent and control variables on changes in its value. As a planning tool, the model can be adapted to develop context-sensitive sustainability strategies in light industries. The article offers ideas and practical solutions for using the potential of light industry in the pursuit of sustainable development in conditions of rational expectations.W artykule przedstawiono kompleksową analizę globalnych konsekwencji rozwoju przemysłu lekkiego w kontekście osiągania Celów zrównoważonego rozwoju środowiskowego. Kontekst ekologiczny pozwala nam skupić się na wpływie przemysłu lekkiego na zmiany klimatyczne, wyczerpywanie się zasobów, wytwarzanie odpadów i zanieczyszczenie wody. Podkreśla się, że wpływ przemysłu lekkiego może stworzyć istotne wyzwania dla zrównoważonego rozwoju związane z SDG 13 (Działania klimatyczne), SDG 6 (Czysta woda i kanalizacja), SDG 12 (Odpowiedzialna konsumpcja i produkcja), SDG 14 (Życie pod wodą). i SDG 15 (Życie na lądzie). W artykule dokonano także analizy kontekstu społeczno-gospodarczego, omówiono, w jaki sposób przemysł lekki prowadzi do utrzymujących się nierówności, utraty tradycyjnych umiejętności i dziedzictwa kulturowego, a także nierównowagi handlowej. Jeśli chodzi o odpowiedzialność społeczną w kontekście przemysłu lekkiego, odnosi się ona do naruszeń warunków pracy i praw pracowniczych. Uwzględnione skutki społeczno-gospodarcze mogą utrudnić osiągnięcie celów zrównoważonego rozwoju, takich jak cel zrównoważonego rozwoju 5 (równość płci), cel zrównoważonego rozwoju 8 (godziwa praca i wzrost gospodarczy), cel zrównoważonego rozwoju 9 (przemysł, innowacje i infrastruktura), cel zrównoważonego rozwoju 10 (zmniejszenie nierówności), cel zrównoważonego rozwoju 11 (Zrównoważone miasta i społeczności) oraz SDG 12 (Odpowiedzialna konsumpcja i produkcja), SDG 17 (Partnerstwo dla osiągnięcia celów). Teoria racjonalnych oczekiwań służy do przewidywania rozwoju przemysłu lekkiego i jego późniejszego wpływu na zrównoważony rozwój w okresie popandemicznym. Udowodniono perspektywy zastosowania teorii w kształceniu specjalistów przemysłu lekkiego. Rozważany jest wpływ skutków pandemii i wojny na Ukrainie na procesy decyzyjne w przemyśle lekkim i ich dostosowanie do celów zrównoważonego rozwoju, z uwzględnieniem wyzwań cywilizacyjnych. Opracowano model ekonometryczny umożliwiający określenie pożądanej równowagi interesów pomiędzy edukacją a produkcją w oparciu o racjonalne oczekiwania w środowisku zrównoważonego rozwoju. Opowiada się za harmonią między tymi dwoma aspektami, opartą na racjonalnych oczekiwaniach, w celu promowania zrównoważonego rozwoju. Ta równowaga jest kluczowa dla osiągnięcia SDG 4 (Jakość edukacji), SDG 9 (Przemysł, innowacje i infrastruktura) oraz SDG 17 (Partnerstwo dla osiągnięcia celów). Właściwości modelu zapewniają szerokie spektrum zastosowań, pozwalając na ocenę wpływu różnorodnych czynników na zrównoważony rozwój przemysłu lekkiego. Opracowany model można zastosować do szacowania wartości zmiennej zależnej dla poszczególnych krajów lub regionów, a także do analizy wpływu zmiennych niezależnych i kontrolnych na zmiany jej wartości. Jako narzędzie planowania model można dostosować do opracowania kontekstowych strategii zrównoważonego rozwoju w branżach lekkich. W artykule przedstawiono pomysły i praktyczne rozwiązania wykorzystania potencjału przemysłu lekkiego w dążeniu do zrównoważonego rozwoju w warunkach racjonalnych oczekiwań

Setting Research Priorities for Effective Climate Change Management and Policymaking: A Delphi Study in Bolivia and Paraguay

Over the last few years, increased research has been carried out on climate change. Part of this research has been based on foresight methodologies to gain time in the fight against climate change and identify planning and development policies that may be effective in the future. However, more research is needed, and it is essential to continue working to determine the appropriate strategies to chart the right path in the fight against climate change. Particularly scarce attention has been given to Latin American countries and, more specifically, to collaboration between countries in identifying priority research lines in this area. In this context, this study is innovative in presenting an articulated and cooperative work between Bolivia and Paraguay in identifying strategic lines of investigation linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that might have a more significant impact on climate change management. The application of the Delphi technique within a group of experts allowed the consolidation of different perspectives and knowledge on climate change and allowed us to identify, within the SDGs, the priority lines that should be addressed to manage climate change impacts. The results identify specific priority research lines for Bolivia and Paraguay related to the genetic diversity of food crops (SDG 2), new or reemerging human viruses (SDG 3), sustainable freshwater extraction and supply (SDG 6), cleaner fossil fuel technology (SDG 7), sustainable transport (SDG 9), local impact of climate-related hazards and disasters (SDG 13), and terrestrial biodiversity (SDG 15). These research lines should not be seen as exclusive but as the priority research lines that might have the most significant impact and should be addressed in the short term.This project was funded with support from the European Commission under the project EU Erasmus + INNOVA “PromotINg research MaNagement at Higher EducatiOn Institutions in Bolivia and Paraguay” (619084-EPP-1-2020-1-BO-EPPKA2-CBHE-SP)

Scaling Up Climate Action to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UNDP released its first infographic report that presented the breadth and depth of our support on climate change over the past two decades. That report emphasized successes and noted the opportunities that climate action presents for countries as they transition their economies towards zero-carbon and climate-resilient sustainable development.This year, as countries begin to take concrete action to deliver on their national climate goals, we are pleased to release an updated report of UNDP's climate change work. New, in this report, is a special focus on the linkages between climate change and sustainable development. Specifically, the report highlights the importance of climate action in delivering on the SDGs and provides examples of UNDP's on-going work on the ground towards this end. The report also presents UNDP's commitment to scale up climate change action in order to deliver on the ambitious agenda that countries agreed to in 2015." – Magdy Martinez-Solima

Historic Preservation as a Tool for Sustainable Community Development

Although the fields of community development and historic preservation are independently successful, there is an increasing need for professionals from each field to collaborate for efficient urban development. By combining the community building aspects of community development and the sustainable practices of historic preservation, urban development endeavors become more sustainable for both the environment and the people in urban communities. The growing pertinence of both community developers and historic preservationists in urban development is shown through analysis of the practices of each field and case studies involving their collaboration

Sustainable development activities in chemical companies in Poland : links between SDGs and ESG

Purpose: The main aim of the article is to explore sustainable development activities undertaken by the chemical companies in Poland. Three research objectives were established: (1) identification of key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for chemical companies, (2) identification of activities related to each of the three ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) elements in chemical companies, and (3) linking specific SDGs and ESG elements in the case of the chemical industry. Design/methodology/approach: To achieve the aim of the article, the content analysis was used. Documents of chemical companies regarding sustainable development were analyzed, i.e. strategies, policies and reports. Findings: Firstly, the analysis of strategies and policies allowed to identify 13 key SDGs for the Polish chemical companies. Secondly, analysis of the reports, allowed the discovery of numerous activities of the chemical companies in the environmental, social and governance areas. Finally, the links between specific SDGs and ESG elements in the chemical sector were presented. Practical implications: The paper contributes to the better understanding of the chemical companies’ sustainable development activities. In terms of practical implications, the results could guide chemical companies in the development of their ESG strategies. Originality/value: The review of the literature has shown that problems such as SDGs and ESG in the context of the chemical industry have rarely been addressed so far. The links between SDGs and ESG in the chemical industry have also not been studied. To the best knowledge of the author, this is one of the first known studies to investigate the SDGs and ESG issues in chemical companies in Poland. The article is intended for researchers and practitioners interested in the sustainable development issues

RANKING OF EU COUNTRIES ACCORDING TO INNOVATION POTENTIAL

In a high-tech society, the main factor of economic development are activities related to research and development (R&D). The purpose of the paper is to rank all 27 countries of the European Union (EU) according to selected indicators of innovation potential. The author singled out five relevant indicators from the Eurostat database (section related to innovation) in the assessment of the conditions for innovation development in the EU using the MOORA (Multi-Objective Optimization on the basis of Ratio Analysis) method. Based on the conducted multi-criteria analysis, the author concludes that Germany, Sweden, France and the Netherlands have the best innovation performance, so that these countries are the closest to achieving the goals of a highly competitive economy and sustainable economic development. On the other hand, Romania, Cyprus, Slovakia and Croatia show the weakest innovation potential, followed by other newer EU members