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  • © 2021

Economics of the SDGs

Putting the Sustainable Development Goals into Practice

Palgrave Macmillan
  • Uses country case studies to illustrate an analytical framework for assessing progress among all 17 SDGs
  • Offers new analysis of progress towards the SDGs
  • Provides useful policy recommendations

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Table of contents (10 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxi
  2. Historical Context of the SDGs

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
    2. Introduction to the SDGs

      • Edward B. Barbier, Joanne C. Burgess
      Pages 3-13
    3. The SDGs and the Systems Approach to Sustainability

      • Edward B. Barbier, Joanne C. Burgess
      Pages 15-37
  3. Analytical Framework and Economic Assessment

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 39-39
    2. Key Indicators for the SDGs

      • Edward B. Barbier, Joanne C. Burgess
      Pages 41-54
    3. Trends in Key SDG Indicators

      • Edward B. Barbier, Joanne C. Burgess
      Pages 55-84
    4. An Analytical Framework for Assessing Progress

      • Edward B. Barbier, Joanne C. Burgess
      Pages 85-101
    5. Applying the Analytical Framework

      • Edward B. Barbier, Joanne C. Burgess
      Pages 103-122
    6. Enhancing the SDGs

      • Edward B. Barbier, Joanne C. Burgess
      Pages 123-140
  4. Policy Implications

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 141-141
    2. Policy Implications

      • Edward B. Barbier, Joanne C. Burgess
      Pages 143-174
    3. Are the SDGs Sufficient?

      • Edward B. Barbier, Joanne C. Burgess
      Pages 175-198
    4. Conclusion

      • Edward B. Barbier, Joanne C. Burgess
      Pages 199-204
  5. Back Matter

    Pages 205-209

About this book

This is the first book that employs economics to develop and apply an analytical framework for assessing progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The authors explore the historical context for the underlying sustainability concept, develop an economics-based analytical framework for assessing progress towards the SDGs, and discuss the implications for sustainability policy and future research. 

Economics is concerned with analysing the trade-offs in allocating scarce means to achieve various ends. Thus, economic methods are ideally suited to assessing how progress towards one or more SDGs may come at the expense of achieving other goals. Such interactions are inevitable in meeting the 2030 Agenda over the next decade, given that the SDGs include different economic, social, and environmental elements. Although it may be possible to make progress across all 17 goals by 2030, it is more likely that improvement toward all goals will be mixed.For example, we may have reduced poverty or hunger over recent years, but the way in which this progress has been achieved – e.g. through economic expansion and industrial growth – may have come at the cost in achieving some environmental or social goals. On the other hand, progress in reducing poverty is likely to go hand-in-hand with other important goals, such as eliminating hunger, improving clean water and sanitation, and ensuring good health and well-being.

Assessing these interactions is essential for guiding policy, so that countries and the international community can begin implementing the right set of environmental, social and economic policies to achieve more sustainable and inclusive global development.
  

Authors and Affiliations

  • Department of Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA

    Edward B. Barbier, Joanne C. Burgess

About the authors

Edward B. Barbier is University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Economics, Colorado State University and Senior Scholar in the School of Global Environmental Sustainability. He previously held positions at University of Wyoming, University of York and the International Institute of Environment and Development. He has served as a consultant and policy analyst for a variety of national, international and non-governmental agencies, including many UN organizations, the OECD and the World Bank.

Professor Barbier has authored over 300 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, written or edited 24 books, and published in popular journals and media, and is considered one of the top economic thinkers on sustainability in the world.

Joanne C. Burgess is an environmental and natural resource economist with special interests in forest land use, wildlife management, trade and environment, and sustainability. She has served as a consultant and policyanalyst for a variety of national, international and non-governmental agencies, including UN organizations, the World Bank and the OECD.

Dr. Burgess has authored over 40 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, written 3 books, and published in popular journals. According to Google Scholar, Dr Burgess currently has over 4,900 citations to her work. 



Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access