This is the conclusion of a JRC study published this week. The study shows a strong link between the Recovery Plan and all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Method
For this analysis, the scientists used a text mining approach based on a set of more than two hundred keywords defined, analysed and validated in a three-stage process, aggregated for the 169 targets of the 17 SDGs by means of a qualitative expert assessment of the findings.
Results per SDGs target
Most keywords relate to SDG 3 Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages (667 times, 32% of the total) and SDG 8 Sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all (297 times,14% of the total). The most detected target (340 times) was 3.d Strengthen the capacity of all countries for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.
The analysis identified targets pertaining to all other SDGs. High numbers of targets linked to the EU Recovery Plan were: SDG 13 Climate action, SDG 4 Quality education, SDG 16 Peace, justice and strong institutions, and SDG 9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure.
Results per EU Recovery Plan pillar
JRC analysis showed that the first pillar of the EU Recovery Plan, Support Member States in Recovering, has the broader coverage in terms of goals and targets, as it is connected to eight goals, in particular with SDG 7 Affordable and clean energy, SDG 8 Decent work and economic growth, SDG 12 Responsible consumption and production, and SDG 13 Climate action.
The second pillar of the Plan, Kick-starting the economy, focuses mainly on SDG 9, whereas the third pillar, Learning the lessons from the crisis, focuses on SDG 3.
Text mining as a tool for continuous monitoring
These results represent a first overview of links between the plan and the SDGs. Making connections between the EU Recovery Plan and SDGs in an early phase of the policy development will contribute:
- to highlight areas that may boost SDG implementation, along with areas that deserve more attention;
- to facilitate SDG mainstreaming in the implementation phase, and
- to monitor changes in SDGs’ coverage during the implementation process.