Abstract
Abstract
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) index is a recognized metric for measuring progress in the UN SDGs. However, national or multinational-level analyses are more prevalent than sub-national types. We analysed the performance of 14 SDGs for 56 Indian cities (grouped into 6 regions) with available 77 indicators (2020–2021). Pearson’s correlation, hierarchical clustering, data envelopment analysis etc. were used to infer existing status, interactions, efficiency, and interrelationships. Finally, we offer policy suggestions coupled with limitations to mitigate the drawbacks of the Indian city SDG framework. The findings reveal the asynchronous nature of SDGs. 18% of Indian cities register a poor track record of converting environmental performance into socioeconomic prosperity while 55% of cities are lagging in performance than respective states. A significant degree of inequality reigns among cities of various regions towards achieving SDGs. In a race to be economically powerful, the environment is being adversely affected. So, mainstreaming the environment into development planning is urgently warranted.
Publisher
Research Square Platform LLC
Reference40 articles.
1. Urban population (% of total population) – India. World Development Indicators, World Bank., (Available from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS?locations=IN) (Accessed on 16th April 2023).
2. Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (Available from https://www.unep.org/resources/report/climate-change-2021-physical-science-basis-working-group-i-contribution-sixth) (Accessed on 16th April 2023).
3. Developing and testing the Urban Sustainable Development Goal’s targets and indicators–a five-city study;Simon D;Environ Urbanization,2016
4. Engaging with and measuring informality in the proposed Urban Sustainable Development Goal;Arfvidsson H;Afr Geographical Rev,2017
5. Local responses to global sustainability agendas: learning from experimenting with the urban sustainable development goal in Cape Town;Patel Z;Sustain Sci,2017