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A Quantitative Analysis and Interdisciplinary Approach to the Sustainable Development Goals

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Development Goals towards Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 801

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor

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Guest Editor
Department of Industrial Engineering, Information and Economics, University of L’Aquila, Via G. Gronchi 18, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Interests: green economy; strategic management; managerial economics; circular economy; energy economics; econometrics; supply chain; sustainable development goals
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue adopts a quantitative and interdisciplinary framework to evaluate global progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By synthesizing methodologies from economics, engineering, environmental science, data analytics, statistics and social policy, this Special Issue aims to capture the complex, interdependent nature of sustainable development. Employing advanced quantitative modeling techniques, it assesses the effectiveness of SDG implementation across countries and regions. Special attention is given to identifying synergies and trade-offs among the 17 goals, highlighting areas where integrated policy action can yield multiple benefits or, conversely, where progress in one area may hinder advancement in another. This Special Issue also investigates structural and systemic barriers that impede development outcomes, such as inequality, environmental degradation, and governance challenges. By mapping key drivers of success and failure, it offers evidence-based recommendations and actionable pathways to accelerate progress toward the 2030 Agenda. These findings aim to inform decision-makers, enhance cross-sectoral coordination, and support the design of more coherent and resilient development strategies.

Prof. Dr. Idiano D'Adamo
Prof. Massimo Gastaldi
Prof. Dr. Vincenzo Stornelli
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainable development goals (SDGs)
  • interdisciplinary analysis
  • quantitative methods
  • policy sustainable synergies
  • barriers to sustainability
  • sustainable inequalities
  • development strategy

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 338 KiB  
Article
Top Management Challenges in Using Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development Goals: An Exploratory Case Study of an Australian Agribusiness
by Amanda Balasooriya and Darshana Sedera
Sustainability 2025, 17(15), 6860; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17156860 - 28 Jul 2025
Abstract
The integration of artificial intelligence into sustainable agriculture holds significant potential to transform traditional agricultural practices. This transformation of agricultural practices through AI directly intersects with several critical sustainable development goals, such as Climate Action (SDG13), Life Below Water (SDG 14), and Life [...] Read more.
The integration of artificial intelligence into sustainable agriculture holds significant potential to transform traditional agricultural practices. This transformation of agricultural practices through AI directly intersects with several critical sustainable development goals, such as Climate Action (SDG13), Life Below Water (SDG 14), and Life on Land (SDG 15). However, such implementations are fraught with multifaceted challenges. This study explores the technological, organizational, and environmental challenges confronting top management in the agricultural sector utilizing the technological–organizational–environmental framework. As interest in AI-enabled sustainable initiatives continues to rise globally, this exploration is timely and relevant. The study employs an interpretive case study approach, drawing insights from a carbon sequestration project within the agricultural sector where AI technologies have been integrated to support sustainability goals. The findings reveal six key challenges: sustainable policy inconsistency, AI experts lacking farming knowledge, farmers’ resistance to change, limited knowledge and expertise to deploy AI, missing links in the existing system, and transition costs, which often hinder the achievement of long-term sustainability outcomes. This study emphasizes the importance of field realities and cross-disciplinary collaboration to optimize the role of AI in sustainability efforts. Full article
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16 pages, 439 KiB  
Article
Examining the Role of Food Technology Neophobia in Shaping Consumer Attitudes and Intentions to Purchase Genetically Modified Foods
by Eda Yaşa Özeltürkay, Ümit Doğrul, Suzan Oğuz, Deniz Yalçıntaş and Murat Gülmez
Sustainability 2025, 17(14), 6416; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17146416 - 13 Jul 2025
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Abstract
In recent years, significant changes in food consumption habits have emerged due to various factors, including climate change, population growth, urbanization, and the depletion of natural resources. These changes pose a threat to the stability of global food systems and raise serious concerns [...] Read more.
In recent years, significant changes in food consumption habits have emerged due to various factors, including climate change, population growth, urbanization, and the depletion of natural resources. These changes pose a threat to the stability of global food systems and raise serious concerns about food security. Although this process encourages innovative and sustainable food consumption, it also makes individuals more skeptical and concerned about new foods. In this context, understanding consumer intentions regarding behaviors such as purchasing genetically modified (GM) foods is critical for predicting consumer responses and promoting responsible consumption patterns within the scope of sustainability. This study examined the effects of food technology neophobia and perceived information on attitudes and purchase intentions toward genetically modified (GM) foods. Survey data were collected from 324 participants across Turkey and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings revealed that food technology neophobia reduces perceived benefits and increases perceived risks, whereas perceived information enhances perceived benefits and lowers perceived risks. Additionally, attitudes were found to influence the intention to purchase GM foods significantly. Global issues, such as climate change and the depletion of natural resources, highlight the importance of innovations in food technology for sustainable food production. Understanding consumer concerns and perceived knowledge levels regarding genetically modified (GM) foods is critical to ensuring that these products are accepted at the societal level in an informed and conscious way. This study contributes to the promotion of sustainable food technologies and responsible consumer behavior, in line with the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Full article
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