The United Nations originally established the term sustainable  development through the Brundtland commission and became a   frontrunner and global actor within the field. Information has initially  been described as an invaluable aspect of successfully achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by the UN itself. Therefore, the lack  of current references to information and communication in relation to  the execution of the SDGs has to be examined in an attempt to fill this research gap. Therefore, this thesis investigates in what way their   external communication, more specifically their press releases  regarding the SDGs, are executed in order to promote sustainability.  This is done by performing a qualitative text analysis on press  releases as empirical material. A question this thesis  attempts to answer is how the press releases of the UN have changed  after the evolved SDGs. Also, in obedience with their own strategic  documents, how are the UN concerned with making their public communication shed light on the implementation of the SDGs. These questions are relevant considering the growing interest for the issue of sustainable development. The analysis draws on theories of  organizational communication and strategic communication. The thesis reveals that the SDGs and sustainability are cohesively presented throughout the press releases. However, a change in inclusiveness of the audience was observed after the implementation  of the SDGs. This thesis indicates that there is potential for improvement in terms of how the UN communicates sustainability issues and promotes the SDGs.

In 2015, the United Nations (UN) put forward 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to beachieved by 2030. Each member state should spare no effort to fulfill the goals for better lives. Thefirst objective of this study was to explore how Big Data could be used to monitor the progress,including the opportunities and challenges that such novel technologies brought. Previous studieswere reviewed critically for the first objective. The second objective was to find out what datainfrastructures were helpful in monitoring the achievement of SDG 7. A systematic mapping studywas performed to accomplish the second objective. 53 SDG-related academic papers were obtained.Their research data and where they were sourced from were manually analyzed and categorized togenerate data infrastructures for SDG 7. Besides, the automated qualitative coding was conductedbased on the manual structure to verify the manually identified data infrastructures and comparetheir frequencies in the selected papers. The methodology of combining manual and automatedqualitative analysis proposed in this study helped find a list of SDG 7 related data infrastructures.Although there were differences between the manual and automated results, the World Bank, UNdatabases, Eurostat, and IEA were considered the most frequently referred data sources; electricitydata and satellite imagery were regarded as the most commonly used data types.

Sweden is a country that has made significant achievements regarding sustainable development through its implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Regardless of its efforts and leading position in global sustainability work, scholars have pointed out how other countries are negatively affected by its actions. Previous research also emphasized how nega- tive global spillover effects lead to adverse events affecting the world environmentally, socially, and economically. By conducting a qualitative content analysis through the lens of the theoret- ical framework, The Spillover Index, this study aims to shed light on the overlooked negative spillover effects stemming from Sweden's implementation of the SDGs. This paper recognizes the actions and acknowledgments made by Sweden on its negative spillover effects, along with unintended consequences and contradictions. The result of this thesis emphasizes the urgency for a more holistic understanding of sustainability and the SDGs, calling for countries to con- sider when implementing its sustainability work, not only national achievements, and gains but also the extensive impact of its actions in a global context.

The work for female empowerment is prominent on the Unguja island of Zanzibar. Governmental support and local and international organizations are investing in women to achieve gender equality. The government of Tanzania has added changes to the law to protect women and prevent gender-based violence, as well as strategic measures to assist the stakeholders of the Zanzibarian society. Simultaneously, the reports of gender-based violence (GBV) are increasing on the islands according to the Zanzibar Female Lawyer Association. The study explores the measures taken by the government to eliminate violence against women with a focus on the role of the man in these structural social and legal changes. The study also shows the challenges that the added laws have faced in practice, and the balance between culture and legal system in a society, when a change is to take place.

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京都大学 / 新制・論文博士 / 博士(農学) / 乙第13414号 / 論農博第2897号 / 新制||農||1086(附属図書館) / 学位論文||R3||N5324(農学部図書室) / 京都大学大学院農学研究科森林科学専攻 / (主査)教授 吉岡 崇仁, 准教授 松下 幸司, 教授 栗山 浩一 / 学位規則第4条第2項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DGAM

The growing environmental concerns are pressuring manufacturing companies to become more sustainable. The selection of machinery and equipment has a significant impact on environmental performance and is, therefore, essential to consider. This study aims to examine how machinery and equipment investments can become more environmentally sustainable by implementing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and environmental criteria through the use of decision-making methods. To fulfil the purpose of the study a case study was conducted at company operating within the manufacturing industry. Both semi-structured interviews and document gathering were used to collect data. Our analysis shows that it could be difficult to use multiple decision-making methods to incorporate SDGs and environmental criteria in the investment process because of the importance of being strict regarding certain technical criteria. Moreover, it was shown to be hard to prioritize environmental aspects because of the difficulty of finding adequate measures and its conflict with economic aspects. Our study suggests ways to strengthen the work towards the UN’s SDGs by including environmental criteria early in the investment process and by increasing the knowledge among the practitioners involved in the process. We conclude that many existing environmental criteria at companies can be connected to SDGs and that SDGs could be used as inspiration to find new criteria. Therefore, we conclude it might not be necessary to change the entire decision-making process. / Den växande oron kring miljön pressar tillverkningsföretag att bli mer hållbara. Valet av maskiner och utrustning har en betydande inverkan på miljön och är därför viktiga att se över. Denna studie syftar till att undersöka hur investeringar i maskiner och utrustning kan bli mer miljömässigt hållbara genom att implementera FN:s hållbarhetsmål och miljökriterier, med hjälp av beslutsfattande metoder. För att uppnå syftet med studie genomfördes en fallstudie på ett tillverkningsföretag. Semistrukturerade intervjuer och dokumentinsamling användes för att samla data för studien. Vår analys visar att det kan vara svårt att använda beslutsfattande metoder för att integrera FN:s hållbarhetsmål och miljökriterier i investeringsprocessen på grund av nödvändigheten av att vara strikt när det gäller särskilda tekniska kriterier. Det visade sig dessutom vara komplicerat att prioritera miljöaspekter på grund av svårigheten att hitta lämpliga mått samt konflikten mellan miljö- och ekonomiska aspekter. Vår studie föreslår alternativ för att förbättra arbetet mot att uppnå FN:s hållbarhetsmål genom att inkludera miljökriterier tidigt i investeringsprocessen och att öka kunskapen bland de anställda som är involverade i processen. Vår slutsats är att många befintliga miljökriterier på företag kan kopplas till FN:s hållbarhetsmål och att dessa mål kan användas som inspiration för att hitta nya kriterier. Därför drar vi slutsatsen att det eventuellt inte är nödvändigt att ändra hela beslutsprocessen för att uppnå hållbarhet i processen.

This research identified a gap that is found in leadership research, where there is a lack of research covering the area of employees wellbeing. Therefore, this qualitative research examines the influence of emotional and aesthetic labor on the employees well-being of bus drivers. It delves into the viewpoints of both the drivers and managers of Sweden's transportation company. The research approach is influenced by the case study methodology, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews that enabled a thorough analysis of the complicated phenomenon. Through thematic analysis of the data, the theme that emerged aligned with Herzberg's two-factors theory. Therefore, applied as a general framework that structured the analysis and discussion without categorizing them as motivator-hygiene to avoid misinterpretation. The theme specifically addressed “company policies”, “training”, “work conditions”, “work itself”, “recognition”, “relationships”, “responsibilities”, and “development opportunities”. The key findings reveal significant differences between the bus drivers' experiences and the perceptions of their managers. Although managers recognize the significance of emotional and aesthetic labor, they frequently underestimate its influence on the well-being of drivers. Drivers express dissatisfaction with insufficient training and support, resulting in feelings of undervaluation and increased stress. The study highlights the importance of strong leadership in creating a positive work atmosphere, improving employee happiness, and achieving Sustainable Development Goals concerning, well-being, and decent work. This study enhances academic knowledge on employee well-being in the transportation industry and emphasizes the importance of practical implementation of specific interventions to enhance not only better payment, work conditions, and training, but also recognition, advancement opportunities, a supportive environment, clear policies, and work-life balance initiatives for bus drivers.

The Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 is halfway to the finish line, underscoring the urgency for engagement of all stakeholders to accomplish its overarching objectives. The private sector, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, play a crucial role, with a significant potential to advance sustainable development. Nevertheless, they frequently abstain from sustainable endeavours due to several constraining factors such as lack of resources or knowledge. This thesis aims to explore strategies for sustainable business practices that SMEs implemented despite these limitations. These strategies can consequently enhance their contribution to the Agenda 2030. Building on the theoretical concepts of dynamic capabilities and transformational leadership, a case study was developed including eight semi-structured interviews with SME leaders from the food and beverage industry in Skåne, Sweden. In addition to the interviews, data from three documents provided by the interviewed SMEs were reviewed. The main findings of this thesis illustrate that SMEs can develop essential capabilities and strategies to address sustainability. Moreover, the owner-managers’ perceptions of sustainability and leadership style influence the organisational commitment towards sustainability. The strategies SMEs employ are focused on developing a long-term, holistic perspective towards sustainability, focusing on sustainable product development, adjusting their operational processes, and enhancing integration of resources of external stakeholders by maintaining collaborative efforts, partnerships, and networks.

The rapid urbanization of populations from rural areas to cities calls for more sustainable focused urban planning to combat the negative effects of urban sprawl. The United Nations’ Agenda 2030 includes the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets that aim to unite both developed and developing countries in transforming humanity and the planet for a more sustainable future. One of these goals is SDG 11, making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. A large part in achieving the targets of SDG 11 is measuring the current access urban residents have to things such as public green-blue spaces as well as public transportation. This thesis will aim to study Stockholm’s achievement of SDG 11 sub-targets 11.2 and 11.7 of Agenda 2030. In order to meet this aim, the following objectives will be pursued. The first objective is to study the degree to which Stockholm County currently has universal access to green-blue areas and public transportation by conducting a GIS-based analysis. The second objective is to improve our understanding of the socio-economic status of residents who have and do not have accessibility to green-blue areas and public transportation by statistically analyzing correlations between environmental and socio-economic indicators. The methodology included qualitative methodologies such as a literature review, interviews and collaborative focus group meetings with Södertörnsanalysen as well as quantitative methodologies such as spatial analysis and statistical analysis. The results show that while Stockholm has impressively high accessibility for its residents, it has yet to meet Agenda 2030 SDG 11targets 11.2 and 11.7 because the accessibility was not universal. The results also found that people with lower income, people who own their flats/homes and people with children have higher accessibility to green areas. It was also shown that people with higher income, people who rent their flats/homes and have no children have higher access to public transportation.This result can be expected as the bulk of people with higher incomes are living in the innercity where they have high access to urban services and rail stops, but not necessarily green areas. It is important to state that at 300 m from residencies, both access to green areas and access to public transportation is almost 100%. At 500 m from residencies, access to blueareas is close to 35 %, which is not almost complete, but still a high percentage since access to blue areas is a bit of a luxury. This thesis ultimately demonstrates the importance of understanding environmental and socio-economic indicators in urban planning especially if the goals of Agenda 2030 are to be met. This thesis also took steps towards building a methodology for quantifying accessibility and it is recognized that further studies can be conducted to further contribute to sustainable urban planning and development. / Den snabba urbaniseringen där människor flyttar från landsbygden till städer kräver en mer hållbar stadsplanering för att bekämpa de negativa effekterna av stadsutbredningen. FN:sAgenda 2030 innehåller 17 mål för hållbar utveckling (Sustainable Development Goals, SDG) och 169 delmål som syftar till att förena både utvecklade och utvecklingsländer i att omvandla mänskligheten och planeten för en mer hållbar framtid. Ett av dessa mål är SDG 11, vilket ska göra städer och mänskliga bosättningar inkluderande, säkra, resilient och hållbara. En stor del i att uppnå målen med SDG 11 handlar om den nuvarande tillgången stadsborna har till bland annat offentliga gröna och blå ytor samt kollektivtrafik. Arbetet syftar till att studera Stockholms måluppfyllelse när det gäller SDG 11 delmål 11.2 och 11.7 i Agenda 2030. Föratt mäta uppfyllelsen av dessa delmål har studien följande mål. Det första målet är att studera i vilken grad Stockholms län idag har allmän tillgång till gröna och blå områden och kollektivtrafik genom att genomföra en GIS-baserad analys. Det andra målet är att förbättra vår förståelse för den socioekonomiska statusen hos boende som har respektive inte har tillgång till gröna och blå områden och kollektivtrafik genom att statistiskt analysera sambandet mellan miljöinriktade och socioekonomiska indikatorer. Metoden innefattade kvalitativa metoder som litteraturöversikt, intervjuer och samverkande fokusgruppsmöten med Södertörnsanalysen samt kvantitativa metoder som rumslig analys och statistisk analys. Resultaten visar att medan Stockholm har imponerande hög tillgänglighet för sina invånare, har det ännu inte uppfyllt Agenda 2030 SDG 11 mål 11.2 och 11.7 eftersom det visades att tillgängligheten inte var universell. Resultaten visar också att personer med lägre inkomst, personer som äger sina lägenheter/hem och personer med barn har högre tillgänglighet till grönområden. Det visades också att personer med högre inkomst, personer som hyr sina lägenheter/hem och inte har barn har högre tillgång till kollektivtrafik. Detta resultat kan förväntas eftersom en stor andel personer med högre inkomster bor i innerstaden där de har hög tillgång till kollektivtrafik och urban service, men inte nödvändigtvis grönområden. På ett avstånd av 300 m från bostäder, är både tillgång till grönområden och tillgång tillkollektivtrafik nästan 100 %. Vid ett avstånd av 500 m från bostäder är tillgången till blåområden nära 35 % vilket är långt ifrån alla, men fortfarande en hög andel eftersom tillgång till vattenområden och stränder kan ses som lite av en lyx. Denna studie visar dessutom vikten av att förstå miljö- och socioekonomiska indikatorer i stadsplaneringen, särskilt om målen i Agenda 2030 ska uppfyllas. Denna studie tog också initiativ till att bygga en metod för att kvantifiera tillgängligheten, medan vidare studier behöver genomföras för att ytterligare bidra till stadsplanerings- och utvecklingssektorn.