Assessing the Alignment of Brazilian Local Government Plans with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals

Sylvestre A. Carvalho (), Lira L. B. Lazaro, Andrea F. Young, Rooney R. A. Coelho, Fábio J. M. Ortega, Carolina B. M. C. Hecksher, José R. Cardoso, João S. W. Ferreira, Pedro R. Jacobi, Arlindo P. Junior and Marcos S. Buckeridge ()
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Sylvestre A. Carvalho: Institute for Advanced Study, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-060, SP, Brazil
Lira L. B. Lazaro: Institute for Advanced Study, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-060, SP, Brazil
Andrea F. Young: Institute for Advanced Study, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-060, SP, Brazil
Rooney R. A. Coelho: Institute for Advanced Study, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-060, SP, Brazil
Fábio J. M. Ortega: Institute for Advanced Study, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-060, SP, Brazil
Carolina B. M. C. Hecksher: Institute for Advanced Study, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-060, SP, Brazil
José R. Cardoso: Polytechnic School, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-010, SP, Brazil
João S. W. Ferreira: Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-080, SP, Brazil
Pedro R. Jacobi: Institute for Advanced Study, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-060, SP, Brazil
Arlindo P. Junior: Institute for Advanced Study, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-060, SP, Brazil
Marcos S. Buckeridge: Institute for Advanced Study, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-060, SP, Brazil

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 23, 1-27

Abstract: Government plans are crucial for strengthening democratic regimes by defining clear policies and priorities, and by serving as essential channels of communication with voters and social groups within electoral systems. The political commitment to align these plans with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda reflects an effort to integrate global priorities into local agendas. Such alignment is critical for fostering sustainable and inclusive progress. However, despite its importance, research on the intersection between government plans and the SDGs remains limited. In this study, we used natural language processing (NLP), artificial intelligence, and statistical analysis to examine the government plans of ten candidates in the 2022 gubernatorial election in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. Our analysis identified key policy topics, explored patterns and trends, and assessed alignment with the 17 SDGs across the social (SDGs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, and 16), environmental (SDGs 6, 13, 14, and 15), and economic (SDGs 7, 8, 9, 11, and 12) dimensions. The findings emphasize the need for government plans that are more closely aligned with sustainable development goals and that demonstrate a strong political commitment to addressing critical issues, particularly the impacts of climate change. This is especially urgent for the state of São Paulo, which faces significant challenges, including natural disasters, heat waves, flooding, water scarcity, and infrastructure deficiencies.

Keywords: policy analysis; natural language processing (NLP); government plans; sustainable development goals (SDG) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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