Consideration of culture is vital if we are to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

• DOI: 10.1016/j.oneear.2021.01.012
• Publication Date: 2021-02-16T12:46:37Z
• Authors: Xinzhu Zheng; Ranran Wang; Arjen Y. Hoekstra; Maarten S. Krol; Yaxin Zhang; Kaidi Guo; Mukul Sanwal; Zhen Sun; Junming Zhu; Junjie Zhang; Amanda Lounsbury; Xunzhang Pan; Dabo Guan; Edgar G. Hertwich; Can Wang
• Keywords: Trade-offs; synergies; Culture; 01 natural sciences; 12. Responsible consumption; Sustainable development; Connection; 0502 economics and business; 11. Sustainability; values; SDGs; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences; sustainable development; Cross-disciplinary research; 2030 Agenda; 05 social sciences; cross-disciplinary research; Individualism; Values; individualism; connections; culture; trade-offs; Synergies; 13. Climate action

Integrating the social and natural sciences to effectively tackle intertwined challenges represented by Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been advocated for years. However, practice is challenging, especially with respect beliefs, morals, practices of individuals groups or, more succinctly put, culture, which, despite attracting growing awareness, remains understated in sustainability. Here, we examine how what extent cultural values are linked achievement SDGs. Synthesizing knowledge from than 300 publications, show that traits all 17 SDGs 79% SDG targets. Further, empirical understanding obtained a panel data analysis highlights explain as much 26% variations achievements, yet links strikingly divergent across indicators. Our findings imply need consider contexts nuances sustainability science communications policy design develop new cross-disciplinary solutions challenges.