Dear Sergio,

We did a simple evaluation of SDG performance, as calculated by the SDG index (SDGi) and compared this performance to a simple framework of sustainable development, which looks at sustainability or resource consumption through the Ecological Footprint and well being through the Human Development Index. You may find this interesting as a starting point for your investigation.

Article Making the Sustainable Development Goals Consistent with Sus...

As you probably know, the SDGs follow the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Although most states were not able to meet their MDGs, the UN found some value in the approach. The MDGs and the SDGs are different in at least two important ways.

The MDGs were not negotiated by the world body, although they were approved in the Millennium Summit by the world's leaders. The 17 SDGs were part of a long negotiation process involving the UN member states, UN agencies, UN funds and civil society (or NGOs with some type of UN representation either via the ECOSOC or the UN Dept. of Public Information). The public was also part of this discussion via a online survey called "Our World" -- I have a few former students who work on this initiative. Thus the SDGs are more legitimate in this respect.

The second is that the UN with all these stakeholders created a set of subgoals to help measure member states' adherence to the goals. For the MDGs, the measurement process happened late in the process.

To understand the SDGs, I think you need to first understand why the MDGs were actually introduced. And the MDGs' objectives were less expansive. The goal of the MDGs was to eradicate extreme forms of poverty what the World Bank back then classified as people living with $1 or less per day. The SDGs did embrace this goal but it has widened the number of goals.

If I can suggest one article, check out: Fukuda-Parr and Hulme (2009) "International Norm Dynamics and the 'End of Poverty' in the journal: Global Governance. The authors explain how poverty became a central issue at the UN during the 1990s. This article really helps map the arguments that made sustainability a key UN objective, making it equal to the extension/protection of human rights and the preservation of international peace and security.

Also check out all the negotiations regarding the SDGs. There are transcripts for these talks. The UNDPI also held meetings for civil society organizations trying to explain how the SDGs are different from the MDGs and asking for input during the process. I was in many of these meetings but I am not sure if transcripts of these meetings are available.

Good luck with your research! I hope this helps out.

I think it is too early to get the information you are looking for. But I can see that more & more reporting by Governments & Corporates getting aligned to the SDG Goals.