Sustainable Futures 7 (2024) 100192

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Sustainable Futures
journal homepage: www.sciencedirect.com/journal/sustainable-futures

A systematic bibliometric review of the global research dynamics of United

Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030
Gyanajeet Yumnam a, Yumnam Gyanendra b, *, Charoibam Ibohal Singh a
a
Department of Library and Information Science, Manipur University, Canchipur India
b
Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Manipur University, Canchipur India

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Keywords: The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted in 2015, are a universal call to action
Bibliometric to eliminate poverty, protect the environment, and foster global peace and prosperity by 2030. This paper
SDGs conducts a crucial bibliometric analysis of research publications related to the SDGs from 2015 to 2022, aiming
Sustainability
to assess current knowledge, identify trends, and address research gaps. Using a dataset of 2227 research pub­
Sustainable Development Goals
Systematic review
lications from the Web of Science database, the study reveals a significant increase in research focusing on the
2030 Agenda SDGs, reflecting growing awareness of global challenges. Moreover, there is a noticeable trend in interdisci­
plinary research, highlighting the need for collaborative solutions across diverse fields. Encouragingly, devel­
oping countries demonstrate a growing interest in the SDGs, indicating a collective global commitment to
sustainable development and addressing issues affecting vulnerable populations. The implications of this
research are extensive, providing valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders to better
understand the current state of SDG knowledge and prioritize future research efforts and resource allocation
effectively, ultimately working towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.

Introduction mainly on developing countries and addressed several development is­

sues [2]. Conversely, the SDGs apply to all countries and address
The world faces numerous challenges, including extreme poverty, interlinked economic, social, and environmental challenges. The SDGs
inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, and social are designed to be universal, inclusive, and transformative, aiming to
injustice. To overcome these challenges and create a sustainable and reach all people, leave no one behind, and address the root causes of
equitable future, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals poverty and inequality [3]. The first goal of the SDGs is to end poverty in
(SDGs) represent a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the all its forms and dimensions. This goal is paramount, as over 700 million
planet, social and ensure that all people can enjoy peace and prosperity people live in extreme poverty. Building on the poverty eradication goal,
by 2030. The SDGs outline 17 interlinked goals with 169 targets (see the SDGs emphasize addressing inequalities within and among coun­
Table 1), and it is recognized that action in one area will affect outcomes tries, which includes reducing income disparities, improving access to
in others (United Nations [1]). In September 2015, all 193 United Na­ quality education, healthcare, and clean water, and promoting social
tions Member States officially adopted these goals in the United Nations inclusion for all individuals regardless of their socio-economic status
General Assembly (UNGA) as a part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable [4–6]. The SDGs also recognize the importance of changing unsustain­
Development. The SDGs build upon the success of the Millennium able consumption and production patterns and addressing global envi­
Development Goals (MDGs), which were adopted in 2000 and had a ronmental challenges [7]. Another critical aspect of the SDGs is their
deadline of 2015, and aim to address MDGs shortcomings by encom­ emphasis on environmental sustainability, such as climate change,
passing a broader, more integrated, and interconnected set of objectives. deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and pollution, which pose significant
The MDGs were successful in some areas, such as reducing the number of threats to the planet and humanity. To combat these challenges, the
people living in extreme poverty and increasing access to primary ed­ SDGs include goals related to climate action [8], affordable and clean
ucation, but they also faced challenges and limitations. One of the key energy (SDG-7) [9], responsible consumption and production (SDG-12)
differences between the MDGs and the SDGs is that the MDGs focused [10], and the protection of life on land (SDG-15) and life below water

* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: [email protected] (Y. Gyanendra).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2024.100192
Received 23 October 2023; Received in revised form 24 March 2024; Accepted 1 April 2024
Available online 2 April 2024
2666-1888/© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-
nc-nd/4.0/).
G. Yumnam et al. Sustainable Futures 7 (2024) 100192

Table 1 traditional qualitative reviews, they have begun incorporating quanti­

UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with their Targets and Indicators. tative methods like bibliometric analysis and meta-analysis. Notable
Goal Title Targets Indicators latest studies conducted by Yamaguchi et al. [18] and Mishra et al. [19]
focused on bibliometric analysis of the literature published on SDGs
1 No Poverty 7 13
2 Zero Hunger 8 13 from 2015 to 2022, sourced from the Web of Science core collection to
3 Good Health and Well-Being 13 28 evaluate the growth and consolidation of scientific research in this
4 Quality Education 10 12 domain. The findings revealed a rapid expansion of the SDGs field, with
5 Gender Equality 9 14 a noticeable trend toward exploring a broader range of research areas.
6 Clean Water and Sanitation 8 11
7 Affordable and Clean Energy 5 6
Similar bibliometric studies focused on SDGs by different researchers
8 Decent Work and Economic Growth 12 16 [20–24]. Similarly, many bibliometric studies are being published on
9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure 8 12 SDGs mainly related to the education, health, business and entrepre­
10 Reducing Inequalities 10 14 neurship sector, and poverty [25–30].
11 Sustainable Cities and Communities 10 15
Nevertheless, limited bibliometric research has been conducted on
12 Responsible Consumption and Production 11 13
13 Climate Action 5 8 the overall concepts of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and
14 Life Below Water 10 10 their development. We are convinced that there is still a requirement for
15 Life on Land 12 14 multidisciplinary bibliometric research on the literature about the SDGs.
16 Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions 12 14 Such research would enable scholars to gather more comprehensive,
17 Partnerships for the Goals 19 24
diverse, and detailed insights into this field. This paper comprehensively
explores the SDGs research domain to supplement previous bibliometric
(SDG-14) [11,12]. Also, SDGs underscore the importance of education studies. This study aims to comprehensively analyze research efforts in
(SDG-4) and awareness in empowering individuals to contribute to the field of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) trends and prospects
sustainable development [13]. The SDGs also recognize the importance by the global community from 2015 to 2022, shedding light on the
of data and evidence in shaping policy and practice and call for evolution and maturity of scientific research in this domain. Unlike
strengthening national statistical systems to support the monitoring and previous bibliometric studies on SDGs, which did not cover the year
evaluating of progress toward the goals [14]. 2022 entirely, this research addresses this limitation. Employing a novel
The UN has established a set of measurable targets and indicators to bibliometric technique, the study aims to identify emerging and
monitor each SDG’s progress, and these indicators capture each goal’s declining SDGs structure research areas from static and dynamic
essence and provide a basis for tracking progress over time (see Table 1). perspectives.
The goals recognize that no single organization or country can tackle Driven by the urgency of achieving the United Nations’ ambitious
these global challenges alone. However, the SDGs call for a new, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, this present study
enhanced global partnership for sustainable development based on embarks on a systematic bibliometric review of the global research
mutual accountability and cooperation. In recent years, the SDGs have landscape of SDGs to uncover the trends, gaps, and collaborations
received widespread support from governments, civil society, the pri­ defining current academic efforts tackling the world’s most pressing
vate sector, and individuals [15]. Still, there are challenges to imple­ challenges. By analyzing patterns in publication quantity, authorship
menting the SDGs, such as limited resources, lack of political will, weak networks, and prominent research areas, we seek to provide a clear
institutions, conflict and insecurity, and inadequate data and monitoring picture of the scientific community’s engagement with the SDGs. Ulti­
systems [16]. Regular reviews and assessments help identify gaps, mately, this review aspires to inform future research strategies, optimize
challenges, and successful strategies, enabling governments and stake­ resource allocation, and guide collaborative efforts toward realizing the
holders to make informed decisions and adjustments [17]. transformative vision of Agenda 2030. The investigation encompasses
As a result of the intricate interrelationships involved, it holds great various aspects, including publication growth, identifying top-cited ar­
significance for researchers to evaluate the current state of SDGs ticles, examining international research collaborations, determining
research. This evaluation can map existing knowledge or generate new leading journals, prolific authors, and institutions, and analyzing hot
insights, which can play a vital role in advancing the United Nations’ topics and themes related to SDGs. By doing so, the study seeks to
defined goals. Moreover, such efforts pave the way for surpassing past provide a comprehensive understanding of the current state of research
limited approaches to sustainable development. In recent years, the on Sustainable Development Goals. The study is guided by the following
investigation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has witnessed a research questions (RQ), which will be answered in the subsequent
steady surge in research endeavors following its approval in 2015. The sections:
growing body of knowledge concerning SDGs offers researchers a
valuable opportunity to delve into this research domain from diverse RQ1 What is the trend in publication growth for SDGs research?
perspectives, drawing insights from previous publications. RQ2 What are the most highly cited publications in the field of SDGs
According to the Sustainable Development Solution Network (2023), research?
the period from the onset of the pandemic until now has experienced RQ3 Who are the SDGs top research publications’ institutions, coun­
setbacks, highlighting the urgency of rethinking our approaches by tries, and authors?
pinpointing emerging research areas and fostering interdisciplinary RQ4 What are the international collaborations in SDGs research
collaboration to the development of more resilient and adaptable solu­ publications?
tions for achieving the SDGs in a post-pandemic world. While it does not RQ5 What are SDGs research publications’ most prolific research
directly propose specific alternatives or rethink the goals, it provides subject areas and funders?
valuable insights to inform decision-making and policy formulation, RQ6 What are the authors’ typical keywords, trends, and themes in
ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future. SDGs research publications?
Further, this exploration is crucial in unveiling the domain’s structure,
gaining a deeper comprehension of the current state, identifying future Methods
trends in SDG-related topics, and enabling researchers to concentrate
their efforts more efficiently. Several studies have evaluated SDGs Data collection and data filtration
literature by scrutinizing earlier works. Recently, scholars have been
diversifying their approach to studying SDGs research. In addition to This descriptive study analyzes global research publications on sus­
tainable development goals (SDGs) using bibliometric analysis

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G. Yumnam et al. Sustainable Futures 7 (2024) 100192

techniques. The data used in this study was collected from the Clarivate visualization, VOSviewer (version 1.6.18) was used [32]. Moreover,
Analytics Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection database, a widely BibExcel (version 2017) [33] was employed for further citation analysis.
recognized and respected source of scientific information. The database These bibliometric tools are open-source software, user-friendly,
was searched using a specific search algorithm, which involved using accessible, and cost-effective, widely used worldwide for academic
Boolean logical search operators to find document titles related to SDGs, and research purposes. Using these tools in this study allowed for
i.e., “TITLE = (“Sustainable Development Goals” OR “SDGs” OR “2030 in-depth data analysis. It provided insightful results that were easy to
Agenda for Sustainable”).” The search was limited to the period between understand and interpret.
2015 and 2022. Certain types of documents, such as meeting abstracts,
editorial materials, news items, corrections, letters, book chapters, book Results
reviews, reprints, retractions, and discussions, were excluded. The initial
result consisted of 2274 documents, but 47 were found irrelevant after Main information
the screening and removed from the analysis (Fig. 1). To ensure the
accuracy and consistency of the data, the search was conducted on Table 2 provides an overview of the key descriptive information for
January 05th, 2023, as the WoS database is updated daily. In total, 2227 the study, encompassing the period from 2015 to 2022. The data in­
publications were found to meet the criteria for this study. The data was cludes details on the sources, authors, and citations. The study examined
exported in plain text format (.txt) and then converted into a comma- 2227 documents published in 624 journals from the Web of Science
separated values (.csv) file format for analysis. In this study, three database. These documents covered research on sustainable develop­
major types of documents were categorized, including articles (1874; ment goals and involved 9691 authors using 3361 keywords (“ID”) and
84.15 %), reviews (218; 9.79 %), article-early access (106; 4.76 %), 5623 author-specific keywords. The study revealed an impressive
article-proceeding papers (19; 0.85 %), and review-early access (10; annual growth rate of 69.31 %. On average, each document received
0.45 %). This categorization provides a comprehensive view of the 21.28 citations, and there were 5.47 co-authors per document, with
research in this field, enabling a detailed analysis of the various aspects approximately 44.23 % of these co-authors being international
of SDGs research. This study is significant as it provides valuable insights collaborators.
into SDG research and helps identify areas that require further explo­
ration and investigation. Publications growth and citation trends

Analysis tool In 2015, the UNGA laid the foundation for an ambitious trans­
formation of our world by adopting the Sustainable Development Goals
The study of the 2227 retrieved data involved a thorough analysis (SDGs). This visionary initiative seeks to forge a sustainable society
using various statistical tools and software. To extract the data, bib­ where economic prosperity coexists harmoniously with the fulfillment
liometrix R-package Biblioshiny (version 4.1.3) [31] and for data of social and environmental imperatives. Designed to be achieved by
cleaning, filtration, and statistical analysis, Microsoft Excel 2019 2030, these SDGs are encapsulated within the UNGA Resolution known
(version 16.0.14026.20276) were utilized. For mapping and data as the 2030 Agenda or simply Agenda 2030. Since their inception, the
SDGs have garnered significant attention from the academic community
and experts alike. Scholars and specialists have delved into the details of
sustainable development, scrutinized the implementation of SDGs at
national, regional, and global levels, and contemplated the role of
informality in these endeavors. Their invaluable insights have materi­
alized through numerous scholarly papers, comprehensive reports, and
many publications, collectively contributing to the global discourse on
sustainable development.
Table 3 provides the year-wise growth rate of publications between
2015 and 2022 and their citation metrics, such as citation counts,
average citations per publication, h-index, and h-core concerning SDGs.
During this period, a total of 2227 research publications were made,
depicting a significant increase in the number of publications over time

Table 2
Descriptive statistical information about the collection of SDGs.
Description Results
MAIN INFORMATION ABOUT DATA

Timespan 2015 to 2022

Journals 624
Documents 2227
Annual Growth Rate% 69.31
Document Average Age 2.73
Average citations per doc 21.28
References 116,888
DOCUMENT CONTENTS
Keywords Plus (ID) 3361
Author’s Keywords (DE) 5623
AUTHORS
Authors 9691
Authors of single-authored docs 276
AUTHORS COLLABORATION
Single-authored docs 304
Co-Authors per Doc 5.47
International co-authorships% 44.23
Fig. 1. Data Filtration and Screening using PRISMA Flowchart.

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G. Yumnam et al. Sustainable Futures 7 (2024) 100192

Table 3 community has recognized and cited these articles. The data in the table
Annual publication and citation structure of SDGs, i.e., 2015 to 2022. reveals that four of the top 10 most cited papers have received an
Year TP TC C/P TCP C/CP h-index h-core impressive number of citations per year, with more than 500 citations.
This indicates the significant impact and contribution of these articles to
2015 17 1425 83.82 17 83.82 13 1403
2016 59 5981 101.37 59 101.37 30 5600 the field of sustainable development goals. The total citations (TC) range
2017 103 5283 51.29 99 53.36 41 4262 for the top 10 papers is quite broad, with the lowest being 351 and the
2018 187 10,124 54.14 185 54.72 47 7670 highest 1616. The article with the highest total citation among the top
2019 266 8824 33.17 259 34.07 51 5111 10 is “Global, regional, and national causes of under-5 mortality in
2020 399 8213 20.58 380 21.61 44 3482
2021 518 5485 10.59 466 11.77 33 1735
2000–15: an updated systematic analysis with implications for the Sustain­
2022 678 2065 3.05 402 5.14 18 564 able Development Goals”, authored by Liu et al. [35] with a total citation
of 1616. This is followed by “High-quality health systems in the Sustainable
*TP = Total number of publications; TCP = Total cited publications; TC = Total
Development Goals era: time for a revolution” by Kruk et al. [36] with a
citations; C/P = Average citations per publication;.
C/CP = Average citations per cited publication; h-core = Citation sum within the
total citation of 957 and “The significance of soils and soil science towards
h-core. realisation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals” by Kees­
stra et al. [37] with a total citation of 761.
The table also presents the normalized total citation (NTC) for the
and cited 47,400 times in total. With an annual growth rate of 69.31 %,
top 10 articles. The NTC ranges between 6.48 and 15.94, reflecting the
the number of published research papers increased from 17 in 2015 to
relative citation impact of the articles compared to others published in
678 in 2022, reflecting an increased interest and progressively more
the same year. This highlights the wide recognition and impact of the
attention has been paid to SDGs. The year 2022 published the highest
top 10 SDG research papers. Notably, 9 of the top 10 most cited papers
number of research papers, with a total of 678, followed by 2021 (TP =
are articles, and 1 is a review paper, emphasizing the significance of
518) and 2020 (TP = 399). The annual distribution of citation count has
article papers in sustainable development goals research as they thor­
shown a slight fluctuation trend.
oughly analyze current research and can steer future studies. Overall,
On the other hand, 2018 received the maximum citation with a TC of
the data presented in the table provides valuable insight into the most
10,124, and 2016 got the highest average citations per publication, i.e.,
highly cited research papers on sustainable development goals,
a C/P of 101.37. The year 2019 got the maximum h-index (h-index =
providing a clear picture of how these articles have contributed to
51), and 2018 had the highest h-core of 7670, signifying the importance
advancing knowledge in this field.
and impact of research on sustainable development goals. The rela­
tionship between the number of publications and citation trends is
presented in Fig. 2, which shows a steady increase in the number of Prolific journal
publications, with an R2 value of approximately 1. However, the value of
R2 in the case of total citation is inconsistent. Notably, the most recently Table 5 presents the top 20 journals that have published the most
published papers tend to have lower citation scores, as it takes at least articles in the field of SDGs between 2015 and 2022 is noteworthy. The
two years to gather substantial data for meaningful analysis. results indicate that the Journal “Sustainability” holds the top position
for publishing the most significant number of articles on SDGs, with a
total of 403 articles and receiving the maximum number of citations,
Highly cited papers which amounts to 4727. Following closely behind is the “Journal of
Cleaner Production” (TP = 85; TC = 3149) and “Sustainable Develop­
Analyzing highly cited papers offers a valuable opportunity to grasp ment” (TP = 64; TC = 2152). Similar findings were achieved when
the present state of knowledge in a specific field [34]. Table 4 offers an reviewing SDGs’ progress, challenges, and opportunities using biblio­
in-depth analysis of the top 10 most cited research papers on sustainable metric methodologies [19]. When considering the average citations per
development goals published between 2015 and 2021. The table pre­ publication (C/P), “Environmental Research Letters” emerges as the
sents a comprehensive picture of the extent to which the research clear leader with an impressive average of 82.3 citations per paper. The

Fig. 2. Publications growth and citation on SDGs research (2015–2022).

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Table 4
Highly cited articles of SDGs.
Title Related Authors Journal Year TC TCPY NTC
SDG

Global, regional, and national causes of under-5 mortality in 2000–15: an updated 3 Liu et al. The Lancet 2016 1616 202.00 15.94
systematic analysis with implications for the Sustainable Development Goals
High-quality health systems in the Sustainable Development Goals era: time for a 3 Kruk et al. The Lancet Global 2018 957 159.50 17.68
revolution Health
The significance of soils and soil science towards realisation of the United Nations 15 Keesstra Soil-Germany 2016 761 95.13 7.51
Sustainable Development Goals et al.
Towards Integration at Last? The Sustainable Development Goals as a Network of 17 Le Blanc Sustainable 2015 561 62.33 6.69
Targets Development
Sustainable Development Goals: A need for relevant indicators Hák et al. Ecological Indicators 2016 496 62.00 4.89
A low energy demand scenario for meeting the 1.5 ◦ C target and sustainable 7 Grubler et al. Nature Energy 2018 460 76.67 8.50
development goals without negative emission technologies
Six Transformations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals 17 Sachs et al. Nature Sustainability 2019 454 90.80 13.69
The Relevance of Circular Economy Practices to the Sustainable Development Goals 12 Schroeder Journal of Industrial 2019 413 82.60 12.45
et al. Ecology
Mapping synergies and trade-offs between energy and the Sustainable Development 7 Nerini et al. Nature Energy 2018 412 68.67 7.61
Goals
Soil-Related Sustainable Development Goals: Four Concepts to Make Land Degradation 15 Keesstra Land 2018 351 58.50 6.48
Neutrality and Restoration Work et al.

*TC = Total Citations; TCPY = Total Citations per Year; NTC = Normalized Total Citations.

Table 5
Most Prolific journal in the field of SDGs.
Journal Publisher TP TC C/P h-index IF Q

Sustainability MDPI 403 4727 11.73 32 3.889 Q2

Journal of Cleaner Production Elsevier Ltd. 85 3149 37.05 31 11.072 Q1
Sustainable Development John Wiley and Sons Ltd 64 2152 33.63 24 8.562 Q1
Sustainability Science Springer Japan 57 1866 32.74 18 7.196 Q1
International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. 34 390 11.47 10 4.12 Q1
International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology Taylor and Francis Ltd. 30 795 26.5 13 4.87 Q1
Science of the Total Environment Elsevier 27 968 35.85 17 10.753 Q1
Environment Development and Sustainability Springer Netherlands 25 185 7.4 8 4.08 Q2
Environmental Science & Policy Elsevier BV 24 696 29 14 6.424 Q1
Business Strategy and the Environment Taylor and Francis Ltd. 20 326 16.3 10 10.801 Q1
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health MDPI 20 117 31.6 6 4.614 Q1
World Development Elsevier BV 19 600 8.0 15 6.678 Q1
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Springer Science + Business Media 18 144 27.1 6 5.19 Q2
Globalization and Health BioMed Central Ltd. 17 460 14.1 9 10.401 Q1
Global Policy John Wiley and Sons Ltd 16 225 30.4 8 2.375 Q2
Environmental Research Letters IOP Publishing Ltd. 16 487 82.3 8 6.947 Q1
Nature Sustainability Nature Publishing Group 15 1235 4.4 13 27.157 Q1
Energies MDPI 14 62 3.5 6 3.252 Q3
Economic Research-Ekonomska Istrazivanja Taylor and Francis Ltd. 14 49 62.9 4 3.08 Q2
Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability Elsevier 13 818 31.6 11 7.964 Q1

TP = Total number of publications; TC = Total citations; C/P = Average citations per publication; TCP = Total cited publications; h-core = Citation sum within the h-
core.

“Economic Research-Ekonomska Istrazivanja” and the “Journal of influential, significantly impacting the scientific community. Authors’
Cleaner Production” journals follow suit with 62.9 and 37.05 average research interests can be inferred from the scopes of the widely recog­
citations per paper, respectively. Regarding impact factor, “Nature nized journals they publish in.
Sustainability” boasts the highest impact factor (IF) of 27.157, followed
by “Journal of Cleaner Production” (11.072), “Business Strategy and the Most prolific author
Environment” (10.801), and “Science of the Total Environment”
(10.753). Concerning the h-index, the “Sustainability” (32) and “Journal Table 6 showcases the top 10 most productive authors who have
of Cleaner Production” (31) are the most remarkable. This finding published research on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) between
contrasts with the results reported in earlier bibliometric studies [18, 2015 and 2022. These authors have made substantial contributions to
26]. the field, as they have produced many research papers, with a range of
Five of the 20 journals in the table are from the publisher Elsevier, publications ranging from 8 to 16. The author Walter Leal Filho of
while three are from MDPI and Springer. The leading journal, “Sus­ Hamburg University of Applied Sciences in Germany stands out as the
tainability,” comes from the publisher MDPI, showcasing these pub­ most productive among the top 10 authors, with a total publication
lishers’ significant presence in the SDGs field. These findings emphasize count of 16, and has been active in the research area of SDGs since 2018.
the importance of these journals and publishers in promoting research He is followed closely by Cameron Allen of Monash University in
and discussions on sustainable development goals and the efforts made Australia, Bojie Fu, and Rodrigo Lozano, with 11, 9, and 9 publications,
toward achieving a sustainable future. Of the top 20 journals, fourteen respectively. In addition to the number of publications, the analysis also
are in the first quartile (Q1), five are in the second quartile (Q2), and indicates the number of citations received by the authors. Cameron
only one is in the fourth quartile (Q3). These results indicate that most of Allen of Monash University received the maximum number of citations,
the top journals in bioremediation research are high-quality and with 997 citations, Johan Bouma with 977 citations, Walter Leal Filho

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Table 6
Top 10 Most Prolific Authors of SDGs Research.
Authors Affiliations TP TC C/P TCP h-index PY-Start

Walter Leal Filho Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Germany 16 882 55.13 16 9 2018
Cameron Allen Monash University, Australia 11 997 90.64 11 10 2016
Bojie Fu Chinese Academy of Sciences, China 9 67 7.44 9 5 2021
Rodrigo Lozano University in Gävle, Sweden 9 703 78.11 9 5 2016
Amanda Lange Salvia Universidade de Passo Fundo (UPF), Brazil 9 339 37.67 9 6 2019
Janos Abonyi University of Pannonia, Hungary 8 42 5.25 8 3 2018
Frank Biermann Utrecht University, Netherlands 8 428 53.50 8 4 2017
Johan Bouma Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands 8 977 122.13 8 8 2016
Ye Liu Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, China 8 524 65.50 8 3 2016
Viktor Sebestyen University of Pannonia, Hungary 8 42 5.25 8 3 2018

*TP = Total number of publications; TC = Total citations; C/P = Average citations per publication; TCP = Total cited publications; h-core = Citation sum within the h-
core.

with 882, and Rodrigo Lozano with 703 citations. Table 6 highlights the many institutions worldwide from 2015 to 2022. During this period,
average citations per publication for each of the top 10 prolific authors. 1274 institutions participated in 2227 publications related to SDGs. The
Johan Bouma holds the highest average citations per publication, research carried out by these institutions aimed to support the imple­
scoring 122.13. This indicates that his research has significantly mentation of the United Nations’ SDGs and contribute to global sus­
impacted the field and has been widely recognized by the research tainability. The efforts put in by these institutions have helped to
community. The data presented in the tables reveal that authors from improve our understanding of the challenges and opportunities that
European institutions play a crucial role in the research publication, come with achieving the SDGs. Table 7 lists the top 10 most productive
have made significant contributions to SDGs, and received significant institutions in terms of publication. The Chinese Academy of Sciences
citations for their work, indicating their research’s impact. In conclu­ topped the list with 23 publications, followed by Utrecht University with
sion, these authors are a testament to the importance of research in 19 and the University of Queensland with 15. The top institutions came
advancing our understanding in this field. from nine countries: the UK, China, Australia, Spain, and the
Fig. 3 presents an overview of the top 10 most productive authors in Netherlands.
the last eight years. The size of each circle in the graph corresponds to Regarding total citations, the University College London received the
the number of articles published by the respective author in a given year. most with 783, followed by the University of Sussex (TC = 772) and
The darkness of each circle indicates the number of citations received Utrecht University (TC = 603). These institutions have been highly
per year, reflecting the impact of their work. Productivity was assessed recognized for their contributions to SDG research and have set the
based on the total number of articles published by each author during benchmark for others. The significant number of publications and cita­
the specified period. On the other hand, the impact of their research was tions these institutions receive highlights the importance of SDGs
evaluated by considering the annual citation count. In particular, Walter research and its impact on the global community.
Leal Filho emerges as the most productive author in this analysis. To gain deeper insights into institutional cooperation, we con­
Furthermore, Rodrigo Lozano and Ye Liu are seminal authors on the structed a cooperation network map comprising 465 institutions that
subject, consistently producing publications from 2015 to 2022. It is met the minimum criterion of 6 shared documents (Fig. 4). This visu­
essential to acknowledge that while productivity is one aspect of re­ alization represents the collaborative connections established among
searchers’ output, it does not fully represent the overall quality of their these institutions. Each node in the graph corresponds to a unique
work. Scholars have commonly relied on other indicators beyond the institution, while the thickness of the connecting lines conveys the level
total citation count to assess the significance and relevance of re­ of collaboration and the number of partnerships formed between them.
searchers’ contributions to the scientific community. Notably, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in China, the Univer­
sity of Oxford (USA), the University of Queensland, the University of
Melbourne, the World Health Organization (WHO), the University of
Prolific institutions and their collaboration
Cambridge, and the University of Utrecht emerged as central hubs
within this cooperation network. The weight of a link, represented by
The SDGs research publications have been a focus of attention for

Fig. 3. Temporal evolution and production of prolific authors on SDGs over time (Source: Biblioshiny).

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G. Yumnam et al. Sustainable Futures 7 (2024) 100192

Table 7
Most productive institutions in SDGs research.
Institutions Country TP TC C/P h-index h-core THE Ranking 2022

Chinese Academy of Sciences China 23 213 9.26 9 182 71–80th

Utrecht University Netherlands 19 603 31.74 10 583 69th
University of Queensland Australia 15 256 17.07 8 240 54th
University of Oxford UK 14 385 27.50 9 358 1st
University of Sussex UK 14 772 55.14 10 754 151th
Beijing Normal University China 12 83 6.92 4 70 251–300th
University of Cambridge UK 12 172 14.33 7 164 5th
University College London UK 11 783 71.18 8 767 18th
University of Granada Spain 10 36 3.60 3 29 601–800th
University of Melbourne Australia 9 282 31.33 4 274 34th

*TP = Total number of publications; TC = Total citations; C/P = Average citations per publication; h-core = Citation sum within the h-core
THE = Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

Fig. 4. Collaboration networking among global institutions in SDGs research publications.

the line thickness, signifies the quantity of co-authored papers produced The high publication output of these countries can be attributed to
by researchers from the involved institutions. Hence, the thicker the their strong economic power and substantial investment in research,
line, the stronger the collaborative bond between the institutions. development, and innovation. Notably, 16 of the top productive coun­
tries belong to the significant industrialized G20 nations (Yang et al.,
2012), with the majority from European Union countries (09) followed
Prolific country
by Asian countries (04). The extensive SDG research is facilitated by
robust collaboration among institutions within and across national
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have garnered global
boundaries. This collaboration is made possible by advanced scientific
interest, with researchers from 150 countries actively contributing to
capabilities, thriving economies, financial strength, technological ad­
their advancement. Table 8 showcases the top 20 countries based on
vancements, and sufficient research funding in these countries.
their total publications (TP) to determine the leading nations in SDGs
Remarkably, Ethiopia stands out for having the highest average citation
research. Topping the list is the USA, with an impressive TP of 1136, TC
per paper (C/P) among the top 20 countries, with a value of 204.31.
(total citations) of 119,253, and an h-index of 221. This indicates a
These findings underscore these countries’ significant contributions and
substantial focus on SDGs research by American scholars. The United
active engagement in pursuing SDGs research.
Kingdom follows closely with TP = 857, TC = 65,200, and an h-index of
Engaging in collaborative efforts between countries or research in­
179, demonstrating a significant commitment to the field. China (TP =
stitutions in academic activities plays a pivotal role in promoting the
610, TC = 23,144 & h-index = 74), Australia (TP = 579, TC = 50,337 &
dissemination of knowledge and fostering academic exchange among
h-index = 175), Spain (TP = 478, TC = 15,217 & h-index = 61), Ger­
experts [38]. Such collaborations, whether within a single nation or
many (TP = 396, TC = 23,057 & h-index = 92), and India (TP = 386, TC
across international borders, can profoundly impact research endeavors’
= 38,261 & h-index = 152) also feature prominently among the leading
prominence, visibility, and citation impact [39,40]. Fig. 5 visually
countries in SDGs research.

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G. Yumnam et al. Sustainable Futures 7 (2024) 100192

Table 8
Productive countries with their citations on SDGs research.
Country Status Continent TP TC C/P h-index h-core

USA G20 North America 1136 119,253 104.98 221 69,679

United Kingdom G20 Europe 857 65,200 76.08 179 49,266
China G20 Asia 610 23,144 37.94 74 17,541
Australia G20 Australia 579 50,337 86.94 175 40,205
Spain EU; G20 Europe 478 15,217 31.83 61 11,169
Germany EU; G20 Europe 396 23,057 58.22 92 18,751
India G20 Asia 386 38,261 99.12 152 35,118
Italy EU; G20 Europe 296 14,611 49.36 62 11,860
Canada G20 North America 282 19,846 70.38 76 17,240
Brazil G20 South America 267 16,906 63.32 72 14,924
Netherlands EU; G20 Europe 257 21,318 82.95 67 17,904
Iran — Asia 241 43,413 180.14 179 40,357
South Africa G20 Africa 226 18,109 80.13 70 15,990
Sweden EU; G20 Europe 225 17,504 77.80 71 15,275
Japan G20 Asia 200 12,159 60.80 51 10,500
Switzerland — Europe 176 11,245 63.89 49 9344
Ethiopia — Africa 144 29,421 204.31 127 29,251
Malaysia — Africa 135 4443 32.91 29 3857
Portugal EU; G20 Europe 128 9471 73.99 48 8743
France EU; G20 Europe 126 8201 65.09 42 7348

*TP = Total number of publications; TC = Total citations; C/P = Average citations per publication; h-core = Citation sum within the h-core.

Fig. 5. Visualization World Map of collaborated countries on SDGs research (Source: Biblioshiny).

represents the world map, illustrating the collaborative relationships Subject orientation of SDGs research
between countries in SDG research publications. Collaborative networks
are indicated by straight lines connecting two or more countries. Table 9 thoroughly analyses the top 10 subject areas contributing to
Notably, the United Kingdom and the USA emerged as leading countries Sustainable Development Goals based on the number of publications.
in the number of publications, collaborating with 11 and 9 countries, The research analyzed 106 subject areas and found that Environmental
respectively. These two nations are also highly active in global collab­ Sciences & Ecology had the most publications, with 1101 articles. Sci­
orations with other countries concerning SDGs research publications. ence & Technology - Other Topics followed with 866 articles; Business &
The most prominent collaboration occurs between researchers from the Economics came in third with 244 articles. The subject area of Envi­
USA and the United Kingdom, with a remarkable frequency of 103 ronmental Sciences & Ecology also recorded the highest number of ci­
publications. Other significant collaborations include USA-Australia tations, with a total of 23,573. Science & Technology - Other Topics
(64), United Kingdom-Australia (55), USA-Germany (55), United followed closely with 18,808 citations. However, considering the
Kingdom-Germany (54), and USA-Canada (47). These collaborations average citations per publication, Energy & Fuels took the lead with
predominantly involve developed and developing countries, all working 32.81 citations per publication, Public Administration with 25.28 cita­
towards achieving the 17 SDGs. The findings help identify potential tions per publication, and Engineering with 25.25 citations per
research partners to advance knowledge in SDGs. By leveraging these publication.
findings, stakeholders can promote further cooperative efforts and The research provides a comprehensive overview of the subject areas
contribute to the collective pursuit of sustainable development goals. contributing to Sustainable Development Goals and highlights their
impact regarding the number of publications and citations. The results

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G. Yumnam et al. Sustainable Futures 7 (2024) 100192

Table 9 underlying conceptual structure of SDGs research, as depicted in Fig. 6.

Subject area in which SDGs research was published. The themes in the upper-right quadrant (Q1) are denoted as “motor
Subject TP TC C/P h- h-core themes.” These themes exhibit both high centrality and density, signi­
index fying their remarkable significance and potential for further advance­
Environmental Sciences & 1101 23,573 21.41 71 10,294 ment within the domain of SDGs research. This research field’s
Ecology relevance has recently intensified due to its substantial impact on na­
Science & Technology - Other 866 18,808 21.72 67 9262 tional economies and the well-being of individuals, communities, and
Topics nations. The impacts are evident in the present and are projected to
Business & Economics 244 4957 20.32 35 2961
Engineering 193 4874 25.25 38 3363
become even more pronounced in the future. The key themes identified
Public, Environmental & 176 4032 22.91 27 2994 in Q1 encompass a diverse range of areas, including food security
Occupational Health [43–46], ecosystem services [47,48], poverty [49,50], agriculture [51],
Development Studies 135 3327 24.64 29 2320 biodiversity [52], trade-offs [53], water [54], health, circular economy
Public Administration 110 2781 25.28 26 2060
[55,56], higher education [57], corporate social responsibility [58],
Social Sciences - Other Topics 85 1196 14.07 19 834
Energy & Fuels 81 2658 32.81 23 2236 artificial intelligence [59,60], citizen science [61], sustainability
Education & Educational 80 1279 15.99 18 987 reporting [62], and innovation [63]. Conversely, in the upper-left
Research quadrant (Q2), referred to as niche themes, we find well-established
*TP = Total number of publications; TC = Total citations; C/P = Average cita­ yet isolated topics, such as monitoring [64], health policy [65], and
tions per publication; h-core = Citation sum within the h-core. global health. These highly specialized themes may not exhibit the same
level of centrality and density as those found in Q1.
show that Environmental Sciences & Ecology and Science & Technology Moving to the lower-left quadrant (Q3), we encounter themes that
- Other Topics have significantly contributed to this field’s research. are characterized as marginal and underdeveloped. These themes
Additionally, the average citations per publication indicate each subject include network analysis, millennium development goals, equity, and
area’s impact in terms of its influence and significance. The findings of integration. Their placement in this quadrant indicates their emerging or
this research will be helpful for researchers, policymakers, and stake­ declining nature, possessing low centrality and density. This suggests
holders to understand the key subject areas contributing to Sustainable that these themes have the potential for significant growth or may
Development Goals and their impact. gradually fade over time. While they might not currently hold significant
influence in the research field, they are worth monitoring as they could
Thematic map and evolution become more relevant in the future. Next, we arrive at the lower-right
quadrant (Q4), which showcases themes that are both basic and trans­
Thematic maps play a crucial role in scientific mapping, aiding re­ versal in nature. The themes here exhibit high centrality, meaning they
searchers in visualizing and comprehending the conceptual framework hold substantial influence and prominence within the research field.
of a specific research domain. These maps are classified into four theme However, they exhibit low density, suggesting that these themes span
typologies, each determined by their quadrant placement [41]. The various research areas and possess a more fundamental and overarching
categorization of themes on these maps is based on two fundamental nature. The themes in Q4 encompass critical topics like sustainable
criteria: centrality and density [42]. Centrality pertains to the extensive development goals (SDGs), sustainability, the 2030 agenda, climate
work associated with a specific theme, signifying its prominence within change, and COVID-19. These themes are foundational in research and
the research field. Conversely, density indicates the importance or sig­ provide essential insights across multiple disciplines.
nificance of a given theme. By carefully considering these two criteria, From 2015 to 2022, SDGs research’s thematic temporal evolution
researchers can gain valuable insights into the underlying conceptual landscape has witnessed noteworthy changes, as depicted in Fig. 7. In
structure of their area of study. Thematic maps thus serve as invaluable the initial period from 2015 to 2020, the research predominantly
tools for researchers, facilitating a deeper understanding and visuali­ revolved around the 17 goals of SDGs, encompassing crucial areas like
zation of the intricate relationships within their research domain. climate change, food security, health policy, corporate social re­
In the present study, the authors utilize keywords to identify the sponsibility, circular economy, business, education for sustainability,

Fig. 6. Thematic Map: Q1 (Motor Themes); Q2 (Niche Themes); Q3 (Emerging and Declining Themes) and Q4 (Basic Themes) (Source: Biblioshiny).

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G. Yumnam et al. Sustainable Futures 7 (2024) 100192

Fig. 7. Thematic Temporal Evolution of global SDGs research focused areas (Source: Biblioshiny).

tourism, and sustainability indicators. Bangladesh emerged as a central responsibility, sustainable tourism, innovation, and network analysis.
area of interest for SDG researchers throughout this phase. This However, the outbreak of COVID-19 in late 2019 shifted the primary
emphasis on Bangladesh was likely due to its unique challenges and focus of SDG research towards investigating the pandemic’s impact, in
opportunities in achieving sustainable development and its active line with the 17 goals of SDG [73,74].
engagement in addressing various SDG-related issues [66]. During 2021, As we moved into 2022, specific topics gained substantial attention.
researchers noticed the emergence of new themes and research areas Among these were carbon sequestration and food security, which were
with a specific focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as strongly emphasized in research areas concerning sustainability, policy,
carbon sequestration [67,68], belt and road initiatives [69], Iran, and food security in countries such as India, China, Africa, and Pakistan.
non-financial reporting [70], motivation, waste management [71], and Additionally, the spotlight shone on corporate sustainability, renewable
analytic hierarchy process [72]. In recent years, a variety of significant energy, industrial ecology, environment, agriculture, and health policy.
themes have emerged in research. These themes encompass agriculture, These themes highlight the ever-evolving research landscape and the
inequality, indicators, artificial intelligence, corporate social need to address pressing global challenges for a more sustainable and

Fig. 8. Nework visualization of the dynamic of author keywords (Source: Biblioshiny).

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G. Yumnam et al. Sustainable Futures 7 (2024) 100192

equitable future. particularly in 2019, is climate change, encompassed by SDG 13. This
focus on climate change underscores the growing awareness of its global
impact and the urgency for action. Over the years 2018 to 2020, two
Dynamics of authors keywords and trends topics additional research themes emerged prominently in the scholarly
discourse: inequality (linked to SDG 5) and global health (about SDG 3).
Keywords are crucial in shaping a research study’s focus and main These topics gained prominence as they represent critical challenges
themes, facilitating the rapid identification of trends and areas of in­ that demand immediate attention for achieving sustainable
terest within a specific field [75]. This study conducted a co-occurrence development.
analysis on 5623 author keywords from 2227 documents, requiring a The outbreak of COVID-19 dramatically shifted the focus of research
minimum of three occurrences per keyword. The resulting map con­ since 2021. The pandemic’s unprecedented impact on global health,
sisted of 579 keywords that met the threshold, forming 10 clusters with a economies, and social systems became a significant area of concern
total of 3749 links and a total link strength of 4681. The size of each within the SDGs framework. A noteworthy observation is the surge in
circle in the map represented the number of occurrences (weights) of the emerging research themes and areas of interest that have materialized in
corresponding keyword in the dataset, with larger diameters indicating recent years. Topics like circular economy, economic growth, and
a higher degree of co-selection (Fig. 8). Notably, when examining the achieving Zero (SDG-Zero Hunger & No Poverty) have attracted
keywords of review articles in the co-occurrence map, a large cluster increasing attention from the scientific community. This reflects a
emerged, which, although divided into six main sub-clusters, displayed growing commitment to exploring novel approaches and innovative
significant interconnectedness, suggesting a strong relationship among technologies to ensure effective and sustainable practices aligned with
all the keywords. The first cluster (Red) primarily revolved around the SDG objectives.
thematic core of sustainable development goals (SDGs), specifically SDG
13 (Climate Action), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 12 (responsible con­
sumption and production), and SDG 1 (No Poverty). The most frequently
occurring keywords in this cluster were climate change (57 occur­
rences), food security (39 occurrences), circular economy (43 occur­
rences), ecosystem services (28 occurrences), and poverty (26 Table 10
occurrences). The second cluster (Green) encompassed and reflected the Top Funding Agency in SDGs research publications.
goals of SDG 3 (good health and well-being) and SDG 4 (quality edu­ Funders TP TC C/P
cation). The most frequent keywords in this cluster were sustainability National Natural Science Foundations of China (NFSC), 78 811 10.40
(240 occurrences), higher education (41 occurrences), education (36 China
occurrences), development (24 occurrences), and environment (22 oc­ Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), UK 36 746 20.72
currences). The third cluster (Blue) featured keywords such as sustain­ Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), UK 35 3049 87.11
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USA 29 4190 144.48
able development (231 occurrences), 2030 agenda (67 occurrences), European Research Council (ERC) under the European 28 1082 38.64
COVID-19 (50 occurrences), agenda 2030 (40 occurrences), gover­ Union
nance (35 occurrences), network analysis (24 occurrences), citizen sci­ National Key Research and Development Program of 23 315 13.70
ence (19 occurrences), and bioeconomy (7 occurrences). China, China
UK Engineering and Physical Science Research Council 20 1063 53.15
This section delves into some prominent trend topics within the
(EPSRC), UK
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework. Fig. 9 presents a World Health Organization (WHO), Switzerland 19 831 43.74
comprehensive analysis of these trends from 2015 to 2022 in the context Department for International Development (DFID), UK 17 771 45.35
of SDGs. Notably, the recurring trend topics, like “sustainability,” have
*TP = Total number of publications; TC = Total citations; C/P = Average cita­
been extensively utilized by authors from 2019 to 2022, signifying their tions per publication.
enduring relevance. Another topic that gained significant attention,

Fig. 9. Trend Topics on the SDGs research dynamics between 2015 and 2022 (Source: Biblioshiny).

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G. Yumnam et al. Sustainable Futures 7 (2024) 100192

Prolific funding agencies publications, indicating the enduring and critical focus on addressing
economic disparities and promoting inclusive growth [30]. These find­
Table 10 provides a comprehensive overview of the primary funding ings underscore the research community’s dedication to exploring
agencies that have been instrumental in supporting research related to innovative solutions to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable
the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Notably, the National Nat­ development. These findings highlight the interdisciplinary nature of
ural Science Foundations of China (NFSC) is the most prominent agency SDGs research, emphasizing the necessity of collaborative efforts from
in this research field, supporting 78 publications. Following closely are diverse academic disciplines to address complex sustainability chal­
the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) of the UK (with 36 lenges effectively. This research found that most prominent institutions
publications) and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) of possess the necessary funding to back a wide array of research publi­
the UK (with 35 publications). These international organizations have cations related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The prevalent
played a crucial role in financing diverse research projects worldwide, discoveries primarily consisted of articles featured in extensively
significantly contributing to the advancement of the SDGs. Among these indexed journals. However, the focal point of advanced knowledge ap­
leading funding agencies, the research supported by the USA’s Bill & pears disproportionately concentrated within certain nations, in­
Melinda Gates Foundation received the highest number of citations (TC stitutions, and authors, raising a notable concern.
= 4190) across 29 publications. Additionally, it achieved the highest The outcomes of the bibliometric assessment reveal a notable con­
average citations per publication (C/P) of 144.48. These remarkable centration of research and advancement concerning the Sustainable
figures highlight the foundation’s substantial impact on research related Development Goals (SDGs) within developed countries, in contrast to
to the SDGs. their counterparts in the developing and underdeveloped world [24].
The top 10 funding agencies mentioned above have collectively The study unveils that countries such as the United States, the United
played a critical role in advancing the SDGs by supporting research Kingdom, China, and Europe, boasting well-established research
publications. Their contributions have been pivotal in generating frameworks and abundant resource accessibility, stand as the foremost
knowledge and enhancing our understanding of SDG challenges. prolific contributors to SDG research. This ability has empowered them
Notably, the World Health Organization (WHO) of Switzerland, with 19 to formulate invaluable insights and remedies, effectively tackling
publications, stands out as a leading agency in funding research that assorted dimensions of sustainable development. However, the study
addresses the United Nations’ SDGs, underscoring its significant role in also highlights a marked surge in research output from developing na­
this area. tions. This ascending trajectory denotes a robust recognition of the
significance of SDGs and an acknowledgment of the unique challenges
Discussion that each region confronts, warranting specialized consideration. As
developing nations actively contribute to SDG exploration, it mirrors a
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have promising paradigm shift towards a more all-encompassing worldwide
recently become an essential worldwide plan for dealing with complex coalition for sustainable development. This inclination underscores the
social, economic, and environmental problems. As people realize how pressing demand for augmented investment and involvement from
significant the SDGs are, it is essential to study this topic to understand developing nations in addressing the worldwide quandaries to sustain­
how well things are going and what challenges are showing up. This ability that the SDGs present. International collaborations emerged as a
present study brings forward a detailed analysis of all the studies done prominent feature in SDG research [79]. These collaborations between
about the SDGs. It helps us see how scholars worldwide look at these researchers from diverse countries foster knowledge exchange and ca­
important global goals. From 2015 to 2022, there has been a consider­ pacity building. By transcending borders, they enable a more holistic
able increase in SDG research papers. This growth in research papers approach to addressing interconnected challenges associated with sus­
shows how urgent it is to find solutions for the many challenging tainable development. Such collaborations allow for the amalgamation
problems the SDGs aim to solve. With only eight years left to complete of expertise, resources, and perspectives, thereby enhancing the effec­
the 2030 Agenda, researchers are strongly dedicated to using their tiveness of SDG-related efforts. Collaboration with researchers from
knowledge and hard work to make these important goals a reality. developing nations could enhance the publication of high-impact factor
This study unsurprisingly reveals that SDGs about Food Security journals and garner financial support for research initiatives on Sus­
(SDG 2), Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Climate Action (SDG 13), tainable Development Goals (SDGs) [80]. While the overall research
and Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11) are the ones getting output demonstrates considerable progress, the analysis identifies spe­
the most attention from researchers. Similar trends were found in both cific research gaps that demand urgent attention. Notably, technological
Sweileh [76] and Salvia et al. [77] using bibliometric methods, with aspects like renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure have
Sweileh emphasizing “good health and well-being” and Salvia et al. received substantial focus, resulting in a robust understanding of their
identifying high research interest in SDGs 11, 12, 13, and 15, while SDGs potential for promoting sustainable development. However, social and
8 and 14 received limited attention. These goals talk about big things, behavioral aspects, such as gender equality, poverty eradication, and
like climate change, ensuring everyone can get good healthcare, plan­ social justice, warrant greater emphasis. The study highlights the need
ning our cities sustainably, using renewable energy, and eliminating for a balanced approach that synergizes technological advancements
poverty. That is why researchers from all over the world are interested in and social equity, as these aspects are deeply interconnected and
studying them. Climate change remained a prominent topic, aligning essential for lasting sustainable development.
with the overwhelming priority of combating its adverse effects.
Healthcare access and equity emerged as crucial subjects, emphasizing Implications and future directions
the growing awareness of ensuring equal access to healthcare services
for all individuals. Sustainable urban planning was another significant This bibliometric analysis offers valuable insights into the advance­
theme identified in the analysis. With rapid urbanization becoming a ments and prevailing patterns within Sustainable Development Goals
global trend, it is imperative to devise strategies that promote sustain­ (SDG) research. It demonstrates an escalating global acknowledgment of
able and eco-friendly urban development. the vital significance of SDGs and underscores the necessity for collec­
Moreover, the study highlighted renewable energy technologies as a tive efforts to tackle urgent challenges. As the world steadily progresses
recurrent theme, signifying the increasing emphasis on transitioning to towards achieving the 2030 Agenda, it is imperative for researchers,
sustainable energy sources to combat climate change. Similar research policymakers, and stakeholders to prioritize research areas exhibiting
trends were also highlighted in the study of Marco-Lajara et al. [78]. significant gaps, such as gender equality and poverty eradication, to
Lastly, poverty eradication was among the prevailing themes in research ensure a comprehensive realization of the SDGs. The examination of

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G. Yumnam et al. Sustainable Futures 7 (2024) 100192

bibliometrics reveals the subsequent significant consequences and exchange, capacity building, and a more holistic approach to addressing
promising avenues for future exploration: the interconnected challenges of sustainable development. The analysis
also highlighted specific research gaps that require urgent attention.
(a) Global Recognition: The increasing focus on SDGs signifies a While the technological aspects of achieving the SDGs, such as renew­
global consensus on the urgency of addressing sustainability is­ able energy and sustainable infrastructure, have received considerable
sues. This growing awareness can be leveraged to garner inter­ attention, social and behavioral aspects, including gender equality,
national support and resources for sustainable development poverty eradication, and social justice, warrant greater emphasis. Inte­
initiatives. grating a holistic approach that synergizes both technological and social
(b) Targeted Research Investment: Identifying research gaps, aspects is vital for ensuring the effectiveness and sustainability of our
particularly in critical areas like gender equality and poverty efforts.
eradication, allows for targeted investment in research and The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) do not have a single
innovation, directing efforts toward priority areas and maxi­ main idea; they are a global plan for progress comprised of 17 connected
mizing the impact of resources. goals. To reach these goals, everyone must work together from different
(c) Policy Formulation: Policymakers can utilize the analysis find­ areas, using various technology methods and ensuring everyone can
ings to inform evidence-based policy formulation, ensuring that access money. We also need to keep checking how things are going. The
decisions align with the most pressing sustainable development main lessons from the SDGs are that we should collaborate, use many
challenges and opportunities. methods, embrace technology, make sure everyone can access money,
(d) South-South Collaboration: Encouraging collaboration among and keep a close watch on things. It is hard to find clear advice because
researchers in developing countries can foster knowledge ex­ the SDGs cover a lot, like getting rid of poverty, making sure everyone is
change, technology transfer, and capacity-building, ultimately treated somewhat, no matter their gender, taking care of the environ­
strengthening the collective ability to address local and global ment, and making the economy better. We can see progress in making
sustainability challenges [81]. policies, working together on projects, measuring data, and finding ways
(e) North-South Collaboration: Collaborating across national to fund these plans. Putting the SDGs into action shows that we need
boundaries between developed and developing countries can many people involved, new ways to get money, and good technological
facilitate the sharing of best practices, resources, and expertise, skills to make lasting progress. Studying the SDGs is complicated
enabling a more integrated and holistic approach to SDG imple­ because they involve many different fields and targets, so we need better
mentation [82]. ways to measure how things are going. This means using many different
(f) Monitoring and Evaluation: The bibliometric analysis meth­ sources, like academic papers and reports from governments and groups
odology can serve as a template for ongoing monitoring and not part of the government, to understand what is happening. To fill in
evaluation of research trends, enabling researchers and stake­ the gaps in our knowledge, we must keep researching and looking at
holders to gauge the progress of SDG-related research over time. things from many angles.
(g) Capacity Building: Supporting research efforts in developing This SDGs research publications study, while making notable con­
countries can lead to improved research infrastructure, enhanced tributions, has limitations. It exclusively relied on the Web of Science
research capabilities, and increased participation of developing database, potentially overlooking relevant citations from other database
nations in global sustainability discourse. sources. The manual screening process is time-consuming and chal­
lenging, and ongoing research may change citation counts. Addressing
Conclusions issues like author name ambiguity and non-uniform institution names is
crucial. Our study identified potential redundancy in published works.
This study investigated a bibliometric analysis focusing on the pat­ While some repetition is normal, addressing this could free up research
terns, pathways, and future directions of worldwide Sustainable resources, enabling scholars to explore uncharted aspects of the SDGs.
Development Goals (SDGs). The analysis used data from the Web of Researchers should adapt methodologies to capture real-time insights,
Science core database from 2015 to 2022. Despite the seven years since incorporating dynamic data sources like social media and policy docu­
the initiation of the SDGs, the 2030 agenda continues to exhibit intricate ments for a more nuanced understanding. Future studies should leverage
interconnectedness among its goals and excessively ambitious targets. AI-powered text-mining tools across multiple databases to overcome
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have gained significant these limitations.
attention in recent years as a global framework for addressing pressing
socio-economic and environmental challenges. From 2015 to 2022, the CRediT authorship contribution statement
number of publications exponentially increased, reflecting the growing
interest and attention given to the SDGs by the academic community. Gyanajeet Yumnam: Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal
However, the goals themselves were not prominently emphasized analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Software, Supervision, Validation,
cohesively. The results revealed that prevalent themes encompassed Visualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing.
climate change, equitable healthcare access, sustainable urban plan­ Yumnam Gyanendra: Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Investiga­
ning, renewable energy technologies, and poverty eradication. These tion, Methodology, Software, Supervision, Validation, Visualization,
outcomes underscore the interdisciplinary essence of research on Sus­ Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. Charoibam Ibohal
tainable Development Goals (SDGs) and emphasize the necessity for Singh: Conceptualization, Data curation, Supervision, Validation,
collaborative endeavors across diverse academic fields in tackling Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing.
intricate sustainability issues. It was evident that developed countries
with established research infrastructure, such as the United States, the Declaration of competing interest
UK, China, and European nations, were the most prolific contributors.
However, there was also a noticeable increase in research output from The authors declare that they have no known competing financial
developing countries, reflecting a growing recognition of the SDGs’ interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence
relevance and the need to address specific regional challenges. The the work reported in this paper.
analysis delved into collaboration and co-authorship patterns among
researchers. International collaborations were prevalent, indicating that Data availability
SDG research is a global endeavor that transcends borders. Collabora­
tions between researchers from different countries foster knowledge Data will be made available on request.

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G. Yumnam et al. Sustainable Futures 7 (2024) 100192

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