Despite the occurrence of S. Typhimurium infections, little is known on the genetic diversity, virulence characteristics and antimicrobial resistance profiles of poultry S. Typhimurium in South Africa. Therefore, S. Typhimurium (n=141) isolated from organs (n=115) and environments (n=26) of diseased poultry between 1995 and 2002 were screened by PCR for bacteriophages, plasmids and Salmonella pathogenicity islands (SPIs) - encoded virulence genes (virulotyping) which are essential for invasion (invA, sopB, gtgB, sspH1, sopE, spvC, and pefA), survival (sifA, gipA, sodC1, gtgE, mig5, and sspH2) and serum killing (rck, and srgA) of the pathogen in the host. Isolates were also characterized by: pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for genetic relatedness, and plasmid profiling (n=43). Furthermore, isolates (n=141) were tested for susceptibility to 16 antimicrobials by disk diffusion and further screened by PCR for the carriage of 27 resistance genes, and integrons. Multi-resistant S. Typhimurium definitive phage type (DT) 104 were determined by disk diffusion and confirmed by PCR. All isolates carried SPIs-encoded genes: invA, sopB, and sifA. Bacteriophages-encoded genes (sspH2, sspH1, sodC1, gtgB, and gtgE) occurred in more than 74.5% of the isolates expect for gipA (57.6%), and sopE (19%). The occurrence of plasmid-encoded genes (pefA, mig5, rck, spvC, and srgA) ranged from 48.2% to 74.5%. Two sample t - test showed that virulence genes: gtgB, spvC, gipA, gtgE, mig5, rck and srgA were more frequent (p ? 0.05) in S. Typhimurium isolates from environments. Virulotyping clustered 141 isolates into 59 virulotypes with 97 isolates clustering in 5 predominant virulotypes while 44 were single isolate virulotypes. PFGE grouped 140 isolates into 55 pulsotypes with 66 isolates clustering in 5 major pulsotypes, 51 isolates clustering in small pulsotypes (containing less than 5 isolates) while 33 were single isolate pulsotypes. Ten plasmid profiles ranging from 2kb to 90kb were observed. The most common plasmid profile contained the 90kb plasmid and was observed in 12/43 isolates. Major virulotypes and plasmid profiles corresponded approximately to pulsotypes and clustered isolates recovered from the same farms or during the same period. Virulotyping and PFGE showed identical discriminatory index (D=0.93). Multidrug resistance (resistance to ? 2 antimicrobials) was observed in 97.2% of isolates. High levels of resistance phenotypes and their respective resistance genes were observed for: streptomycin (94.3%) conferred by ant3'Ia (60.3%) and str (50.4%), sulphonamides (87.2%) conferred by sul1 (66%) and sul3 (31.9%), ciprofloxacin (79.4%) conferred by qnrA (79.4%), tetracycline (61%) conferred by tetB (35.5%) and tetG (28.4%), and cefotaxime (55.3%) conferred by blaSHV (57.4%). Two sample t - test revealed that isolates from poultry organs were more resistant (p?0.05) to ampicillin, amoxicillin clavulanic acid, chloramphenicol, tetracycline and sulfamethoxazole - trimethoprim while isolates collected from poultry environments were more resistant to cephalothin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, colistin sulphate and nalidixic acid. Using the Kappa statistics, there were agreements ranging from good to perfect between phenotype and genotype. In addition, for every phenotypic resistance recorded, at least one corresponding resistance gene was detected. DT104 strains and class1 integrons were observed in 34.7% and 83% of the isolates respectively. Multi-resistant S. Typhimurium (97.2%) also carried SPIs - encoded virulence genes involved in invasion and survival in the host. In addition, more than 50% of resistant isolates to each of the antimicrobials also carried at least 12 virulence genes: invA, sopB, sifA, sspH2, sspH1, sodC1, gtgB, gtgE, pefA, mig5, spvC, and srgA. A significant number (44.9%) of the DT104 strains that were clustered in the same pulsotype X25 also belonged to virulotype V3a which contained 13 virulence genes: invA, sopB, sifA, sspH2, sspH1, sodC1, gtgB, gtgE, pefA, rck, mig5, spvC, and srgA. Most of isolates that belonged to the same antimicrobial resistance profile (phenotype and genotype) carried at least 8 common virulence genes. In conclusion, these data indicate that S. Typhimurium isolated from diseased poultry carry virulence genes that are usually incriminated in Salmonella human outbreaks. Virulotyping and PFGE showed the same discriminatory index (D=0.93) indicating that virulotyping can be an alternative subtyping method in laboratories where PFGE is not available. Salmonella Typhimurium are also genetically diverse since they were recovered from multiple farms and during a period spanning 8 years. Furthermore, isolates were resistant to multiple antimicrobials used in poultry operations (streptomycin, sulphonamides, and tetracycline) and those used to treat human salmonellosis: ciprofloxacin, and cefotaxime. Multidrug resistant isolates carried most of virulence genes. This relationship between virulence and antimicrobial resistance suggests that the adaptation of isolates against antimicrobial effects may induce expression of virulence factors. The increasing incidence of DT104 threatens the public health since DT104 strains are associated with hospitalizations and deaths in humans. Salmonella Typhimurium carried mobile genetic elements (bacteriophages, integrons and plasmids) which pose a public hazard as they propagate virulence and resistance genes with emerging new pathogenic bacteria as a result. Therefore, monitoring and surveillance of salmonellosis and prudent antimicrobials use need more efforts to ensure animal health and food safety for consumers in South Africa. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Paraclinical Sciences / MSc / Unrestricted

Cyanobacteria or blue green algae are known for their extensive and highly visible blooms in rivers or dams. One of the most important cyanobacteria is Microcystis aeruginosa which can synthesize various microcystins that can affect the health of terrestrial and aquatic animals. Commercial Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) farming in South Africa is based on keeping breeders (adult males and females) in big dams on farms (captive-bred approach). Unfortunately, cyanobacterial blooms in the breeder dams are a concern to farm owners, managers and veterinarians. This research project focussed on the monitoring of microcystins in the Hartbeespoort Dam and a crocodile breeding dam over a period of nine months. A commercial, but expensive, Abraxis ELISA kit was compared to a much cheaper and robust Norwegian-developed ELISA to detect microcystins in fresh water. Another objective was to determine if microcystins were present in the contents of crocodile eggs and dead hatchlings. Water samples were collected monthly from August 2014 to April 2015 at two sites, the Hartbeespoort Dam (control site) and the breeding dam of a commercial Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) farm. In addition, various water quality parameters including nitrate, phosphorous, chlorophyll a, oxygen saturation, pH and total dissolved solids (TDS) were determined to assess eutrophication. During the crocodile hatching season microcystin concentrations in unfertilized eggs, egg-shell membranes and in the yolk and liver of dead hatchlings were determined using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Water quality parameters showed that there was no significant difference between the two dams' (the Hartbeespoort and the breeding dam) eutrophic state i.e. phosphates, TKN and nitrates; they both seemed to be becoming more eutrophic as the nutrient supply to the dam was increasing. Furthermore, microcystin concentrations during peak summer months were generally higher at the Hartbeespoort Dam compared to the crocodile breeding dam. The two ELISAs as performed on water samples "as is" and following an adsorbent disk/methanol extraction method were positively correlated; however, the correlation between the two assays was much stronger when using the adsorbent disk/methanol extraction as compared to using water "as is". Besides dissolved oxygen all the other water quality parameters were not significantly different (p > 0.05) between the two sites. Microcystin concentrations (MC-LR, MC-RR, MC-YR) in the crocodile egg and hatchling samples collected from batches with a good hatching rate (? 90%) ranged between 0 - 1.76 ng/g, with the highest concentration in the eggshell membranes. Microcystin concentrations in samples collected from batches with a bad hatching rate (? 10%) ranged from 0 - 1.63 ng/g with the highest concentration detected in the hatchling yolk. Although the "tissue" concentration levels were probably underestimated with the extraction method employed for LC-MS as the percentage recovery from spiked samples were very low. Bayesian analysis suggests that the liver, yolk and unfertilized egg all have similar microcystin concentrations, while the membranes have (with moderate to high certainty) higher microcystin concentrations. In conclusion, when using the Norwegian ELISA it seems as though the use of a resin-containing adsorbent disk followed by methanol extraction is more reliable than analysing water "as is". Following methanol extraction the results of the two ELISAs were strongly correlated, which suggests that the two ELISAs provide comparable results. There appears to be no difference in microcystin concentrations among good and bad clutches across all tissue types or within a specific tissue type. Vertical transmission of microcystins to the Nile crocodile egg does occur, but due to the small sample size, final conclusion cannot be made if microcystin affects Nile crocodile hatchling mortality and/or hatching of eggs. Future studies will include a longitudinal study to be done since a single season of breeding is insufficient to conclude that microcystins do not contribute to the low hatching rate in Nile crocodiles. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Paraclinical Sciences / MSc / Unrestricted

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) is a food pathogen causing infections characterised by mild watery to severe bloody diarrhea and complications such as the hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Humans acquire STEC through consumption of contaminated foods of animal origin, vegetables and water. Cattle are the main reservoir of STEC. The severity of STEC infections in humans depends on a number of virulence factors encoded in the bacterium’s genome. The seven major STEC serogroups most frequently incriminated in severe human disease outbreaks and HUS worldwide include O157, O45, O103, O111, O121, O145 and, O26, commonly referred to as the "top/big seven". Although STEC has been incriminated in human disease in South Africa, data on the role of played by cattle in human disease and virulence characteristics of cattle STEC are lacking. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to (i) investigate the presence of the seven major STEC serotypes in healthy beef cattle (cow-calf operations) and (ii) characterise isolates by serotype, virulence genes and markers, and antimicrobial resistance profiles. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out to identify STEC serotypes (O and H antigens) and characterize the isolates by virulence factors and markers. The disk diffusion technique (Kirby Bauer test) was used to determine the antimicrobial resistance profiles of STEC isolates against a panel of 15 antimicrobials. Five hundred and seventy-eight STEC isolates (N=578), which had been previously recovered from 559 cattle from five beef farms were screened for STEC O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, O145 and O157. Confirmed STEC belonging to serogroups O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, O145 and O157 to isolates were characterised for major virulence genes including stx1, stx2, eaeA and ehxA. Furthermore, 140 isolates were characterised for xiii Shiga toxins (stx) subtypes, plasmid and pathogenicity island-encoded genes, and antimicrobials resistance profiles. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Paraclinical Sciences / MSc / Unrestricted

Introduction: Campylobacter spp. is the most frequent cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in humans globally. Campylobacter spp. infections are characterized by acute watery or bloody diarrhoea, fever, weight loss and abdominal cramps. Campylobacteriosis complications include extra-intestinal diseases such as Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) or its variant the Miller Fisher Syndrome (MFS). Consumption of contaminated foods of animal origin including undercooked meat, contaminated dairy products has been associated with foodborne campylobacteriosis in humans. Cattle are considered an important reservoir of Campylobacter spp. and a source of foodborne Campylobacteriosis. Antimicrobial treatment failure in most bacterial infections including campylobacteriosis has emerged and led to the increase of animal and human health care costs. The use of antimicrobials in cattle for therapy in both cattle and humans and for growth promotion in exerts selective pressure on bacterial pathogens, which may result in the emergence of antimicrobial resistant Campylobacter spp. strains which can be transferred from animals to humans along the food chain or through contact between animals and humans. In South Africa, studies on the occurrence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Campylobacter spp. of public health importance are lacking. The main objectives of this study were to: 1) investigate the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in beef cattle on cow-calf operations in Gauteng and North West Provinces and 2) determine the antimicrobial resistance profiles of Campylobacter spp. isolates. The overall aim of the study was to contribute to monitoring and surveillance of Campylobacter spp. of public health importance in South Africa. Methodology: A total of 537 fresh faecal samples from beef cattle consisting of 453 from adult cows and 102 from calves were collected on 5 cow-calf operations in Gauteng and North West provinces. The samples were screened for Campylobacter spp., including C. jejuni subsp. jejuni, C. coli and C. upsaliensis by culture and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Furthermore, 86 Campylobacter spp. isolates consisting of 46 C. jejuni subs. jejuni, 24 C. coli and 16 C. upsaliensis were tested for antimicrobial resistance against a panel of nine antimicrobial agents including azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, gentamicin, tetracycline, florfenicol, nalidixic acid, telithromycin and clindamycin by the broth microdilution method. Results: Out the 537 cattle faecal samples tested in this study, PCR revealed that 29.4% (158/537) [16.23%-42.57%] 95%CI of cattle carried Campylobacter spp. Among the 158 Campylobacter spp. positive cattle, 62.6% (99/158) carried C. jejuni subsp. jejuni, 25.3% (40/158) C. coli, 10.1% (16/158) C. upsaliensis and 3.1% (5/158) cows that had mixed infections. Three cows harbored both C. jejuni and C. coli, one cow carried C. jejuni and C. upsaliensis and one cow carried both C. coli and C. upsaliensis. Further antimicrobial resistance profiling of 86 Campylobacter spp. isolates (46 C. jejuni isolates, 24 C. coli and 16 C. upsaliensis) by the broth microdilution method revealed that the highest resistance rates for clindamycin (36%), nalidixic acid (19.7%), tetracycline (18.6%) and erythromycin (17.4%). However, lower resistance rates against florfenicol (3.4%), gentamicin (4.6%), telithromycin and ciprofloxacin (5.8%) were observed. The isolates were multidrug resistant against tetracycline/clindamycin, erythromycin/tetracycline/clindamycin, and nalidixic acid/clindamycin. Conclusion: Little is known about the occurrence rates of Campylobacter spp. in beef cattle in South Africa. The prevalence of Campylobacter recorded in this study was consistent with various studies that have reported Campylobacter spp. prevalence rates within the same range in cattle in a number of countries with C. jejuni subsp. jejuni as the most predominant species. Campylobacter spp. isolates were mainly resistant to clindamycin, nalidixic acid and tetracycline. Findings from this study highlight the importance of beef cattle as a reservoir and a potential source of clinically relevant and antimicrobial resistant Campylobacter spp. isolates in South Africa. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2018. / Paraclinical Sciences / MSc / Unrestricted

Sclerosteosis is a severe autosomal recessive sclerosing skeletal dysplasia with no available treatment. It is characterised by excessive bone formation and is caused by mutations in the SOST gene that lead to loss of expression of sclerostin, a protein that acts as a negative regulator of bone formation by binding to low-density lipoprotein receptor-related proteins 5 and 6 (LRP5/6) Wnt co-receptors to inhibit the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway. This study investigated the effectiveness of sclerostin replacement therapy in a mouse model of sclerosteosis. Recombinant wild type mouse sclerostin (mScl) and two novel mScl fusion proteins containing a C-terminal human immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) antibody fraction crystallisable (mScl hFc), or C-terminal human Fc with a poly-aspartate motif (mScl hFc PD), to increase serum half-life and promote localisation to bone, respectively, were produced and purified using mammalian expression and standard chromatography techniques. These recombinant mScl proteins bound to LRP6 with high affinity (nM range) and completely inhibited matrix mineralisation in an in vitro bone nodule formation assay. Pharmacokinetic assessment following a single dose administered to wild type (WT) or SOST knock out (SOST-/-) mice indicated that the presence of the hFc increased protein half-life from less than 5 minutes to at least 1.5 days. The effect of a 6-week treatment with these proteins on the skeletal phenotype of young SOST-/- mice revealed that mScl hFc PD treatment resulted in a modest but significant reduction in trabecular bone volume compared with the vehicle control. There was no marked effect on cortical bone indices assessed by μCT, whole body areal bone mineral density by DXA, or terminal levels of the bone formation marker procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP) in any of the SOST-/- or WT treatment groups, possibly due to insufficient exposure. Administration of recombinant mScl hFc PD protein partially corrected the high bone mass phenotype of the SOST-/- mouse, suggesting that bone-targeting of sclerostin engineered to improve half-life was able to negatively regulate bone formation in the SOST-/- mouse model of sclerosteosis. However, the modest efficacy indicates that sclerostin replacement may not be an optimal strategy to mitigate excessive bone formation in sclerosteosis, hence alternative approaches should be explored. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2020. / UCB Pharma (Slough, UK) / National Research Foundation (NRF) / University of Pretoria (Pretoria, South Africa) / Paraclinical Sciences / PhD / Unrestricted

Studiens syfte har varit att analysera och jämföra utvecklingen samt harmoniseringen av hållbarhetsrapportering av The Big 4 i Sverige och Storbritannien under fyra löpande år (2016–2019). Denna studie genomfördes eftersom hålbarhetsrapportering blir allt mer väsentlig och revisionsföretagen har den kunskap som krävs om ämnet. Därför blir det relevant att analysera The Big 4:s egna hållbarhetsredovisningar. EU har skapat ett nytt EU-direktiv år 2014 i syfte att främja hållbarhetsrapporteringen och dess harmonisering på regional nivå. EU-direktivet har påverkat Sveriges och Storbritanniens nationella lagar om redovisning. Med hjälp av innehållsanalys av årsredovisningar, separata hållbarhetsrapporter och information på The Big 4:s hemsidor har empirin till studien tagits fram. För att kunna tolka den insamlade empirin har institutionella teorin, intressentteorin, legitimitetsteorin och konceptualisering om harmonisering använts. Med hjälp av detta har vi kommit fram till tre olika resultat. Det första resultatet är att The Big 4 använder olika presentationsform i respektive land. Det andra resultatet är att innehållet i The Big 4:s hållbarhetsrapporter skiljer sig mellan de två länderna. Det tredje och sista resultatet är att alla företag som tillhör The Big 4 i Sverige och Storbritannien ingår i FNGC samarbetet. / The purpose of the study was to analyze and compare the development and harmonization of the sustainability reporting of The Big 4 in Sweden and the UK over four consecutive years (2016–2019). This study was done because of sustainability reporting is becoming increasingly important and auditing companies have the knowledge required on the subject. Therefore, it becomes relevant to analyze The Big 4s sustainability reports. The EU has created a new EU-directive in 2014 to promote sustainability reporting and its harmonization at a regional level. The EU-directive has affected Sweden's and the UK's national accounting laws. Using content analysis of annual reports, separate sustainability reports and information published on The Big 4s websites, the empirical data for the study has been developed. To be able to interpret the empirical data collected, institutional theory, stakeholder theory, legitimacy theory and conceptualization of non-financial reporting harmonization have been used. With this we have come to three different results. The first result is that The Big 4 uses different presentation form in each country. The second result is that the contents of The Big 4:s sustainability reports differ between the two countries. The third and final result is that all companies belonging to The Big 4 in Sweden and the UK are part of the FNGC collaboration.

There is an immense need for sustainability due to global warming.  The Paris agreement drafted in 2015 and signed by 191 parties aims to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are required to be adopted and operational by 2030.  The 17 SDGs seek to bring stability, development, and improved lives and opportunities to all countries. The construction and real estate sector in the EU accounts for 36% of all CO2 emissions, 40% of energy consumption, and 1/3rd of all potable water usage.  Sustainability must be prioritized in all aspects of a building project and process, from concrete selection to HVAC system operation hours. This study investigates how energy and water systems can be designed sustainably and improve awareness to make more informed decisions about water and energy systems during the design process of the construction project. The results of this study are retrieved from the information gathered using the three research methods, literature- and case study, and interviews. The literature study examined current studies on sustainable water and energy systems. The case study took place at SPOR X, a construction site in Drammen, Norway, where Vestaksen Properties owns a soon-to-be BREEAM Outstanding solid wooden building. The interviews took place during the design stage with key personnel. The results from all three methods are matching. In order to achieve sustainability, the most important categories are material, transportation, and efficient equipment.  The other result from the studies is that using BREEAM certification will contribute to sustainability and reach the UN SDG. This study’s key result is that tap water, kitchen equipment, and irrigation all need effective water use to achieve sustainability in water system design. Key results regarding energy can be divided into two, the loss of energy and the utilization of energy. The building envelope must be airtight and well-sealed to reduce energy loss, and the use of water and energy must be efficient. More research for implementing water and energy systems in the integrated energy design is necessary for broader mapping of how water and energy can be integrated into the early stages of energy design. This study can be viewed as a contribution to this mapping. The study alone is not sufficient for giving all the answers regarding water and energy sustainability. However, it contributes by providing some possible answers in an increasingly important field of work having a significant effect on the future - an effect for the individual country and the world united by UNs SDG.

This research looked at external funding and its role in determining the success rate of the developmental agenda at country specific level. To undertake this investigation, the role of external funding was assessed alongside other factors largely viewed to be also relevant in discussing the success of the development agenda. The research relied on primary data collected from various participants deemed to be relevant stakeholders in development studies and its success drivers. The sample comprised bilaterals, multilaterals, aid agencies, private commercial sector, policy makers, regulators and the UN agencies. Extensive research was conducted using semi-structured questionnaires and also supported by interviews to probe further on the key sub-topics. The other factors explored alongside external funding in terms of their significance in influencing outcome of the development agenda are strong financial institutions, strong legal institutions, economic reform, competent human capital and international trade. While the factors linked to governance were ranked highly in terms of significance in driving Zimbabwe’ s achievement of sustainable development goals, the numeric difference on points scored were not materially significant. The research outcome highlighted the interconnectedness of the factors assessed in augmenting the impact of capital inflows in meeting the development agenda. In addition, it exposed the significance of broader stakeholder consultation and commitment at a national level.

Background: Uganda is one the leading countries around the world which account for 60% of the total number of maternal deaths globally. Following the unsuccessful trajectory of MDG 5, no comprehensive research was conducted to determine why targets were not achieved, and maternal health priorities were reorganized under SDG 3. However, the efficacy of this approach remains uncertain. Methods: A meta-narrative review (MNR) provided insight into maternal health trajectories within Uganda prior to and during MDG 5, and informed the development of questions for key informant interviews. Interviews were conducted with 7 key informants to explore the development and implementation of maternal health policy in relation to MDG 5 and SDG 3. Thematic coding analysis was conducted using NVivo 12, in accordance with the criteria of constructivist grounded theory, to identify recurring themes. Findings: Four major themes were identified: i) the current narrative surrounding maternal health is deterring investment in SDG 3, ii) Uganda’s fragmented health care system impedes access to maternal health care, iii) empowerment issues among women, and iv) increased collaboration efforts are needed from Uganda’s government to improve maternal health outcomes. Implications & Contributions: Uganda has failed to advance women’s rights, as the government focusses on infrastructure development to drive economic development. However, Uganda will not progress if women continue to be oppressed and die as a result of its multifaceted maternal mortality crisis. Implications for maternal health policy: MDG 5 and SDG 3 were imposed on Uganda and do not necessarily reflect its best interests or its collective needs related to improving its maternal health outcomes. Striving to achieve SDG 3 would likely further oppress women and disadvantage the country overall. Thus, Uganda’s government must increase multisector collaboration to develop realistic and sustainable goals towards improving maternal health outcomes to better counteract its maternal mortality crisis. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Under the lens of intersectional theory, this study aspired to determine what lessons can be learned from Uganda’s attempt to achieve Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5, related to maternal health, from 2000-2015, and also how these lessons will inform its transition to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 between 2016-2030. The barriers and challenges surrounding Uganda’s maternal health outcomes were also investigated, and four themes were found. This study demonstrates how various aspects of women’s social identities intersect and form the basis for much of the oppression they encounter surrounding their maternal health, with implications for policy-makers, health care workers, and women. Attainment of SDG 3 seems unlikely for Uganda, and also not in its best interests. Rather than attempting to meet globally developed targets to improve its maternal outcomes, Uganda should engage in multisector collaboration to enable realistic and sustainable progress in its quest to counteract its maternal mortality crisis.

Date: 2023/05/30 Level: Master thesis in Business Administration, 15cr Institution: School of Business, Society and Engineering, Mälardalen Authors: Diana Al-Khameesi, Jessika Melander Title: Exploring cross-cultural differences in attitudes towards SDG12  Supervisor: Emre Yldiz Keywords: SDG, Consumer attitude, Cultural values, Hofstede Research question: To what extent individuals’ attitudes towards SDG12 vary across cultures?  Purpose: To what extent the importance of cultural values of individuals has influenced consumer attitude towards SDG12 and what implications this have for the SDGs being marketed as international goals.  Method: A quantitative study; collecting 230 valid responses from individuals across multiple countries. A positivist stance and a deductive approach to theory development were used. Correlation and regression analyses were carried out.  Conclusion: The result of the study indicates that depending on the dimension not all targets were statistically significant. Some targets of SDG12 were either negatively, positively, or not related at all to the four original dimensions of Hofstede. Which concludes that the impact of the cultural value of an individual on attitudes when it comes to SDG12 is not global as suggested by the UN.