Measuring Sustainable Development

Measuring Sustainable Development is an introductory course that examines how global progress toward the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development can be measured, assessed, and compared. Adopted unanimously in 2015 by all 193 UN member states, the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent a shared commitment to ending poverty, promoting economic prosperity, advancing social equity, and protecting the environment. Central to this agenda is the principle of “leaving no one behind,” raising critical questions about progress, prioritisation, and the role of data in ensuring inclusive development.

Core Content

The course explores the origins and purpose of the Sustainable Development Report, launched in 2015 by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and the Bertelsmann Stiftung as the first global assessment of progress on sustainable development. Learners are introduced to the SDG Index and Dashboards, which combine official and unofficial data and indicators to evaluate how countries are performing across all 17 SDGs. Through expert-led insights, the course explains how these tools support evidence-based decision-making for policymakers and other stakeholders.

Key Skills

Participants develop a foundational understanding of how sustainable development progress is measured and analysed. The course builds knowledge of development indicators, data sources, index construction, and comparative assessment across countries and regions. Learners also gain insight into how measurement frameworks can inform policy priorities, resource allocation, and long-term planning aligned with the SDGs.

Target Learners

This course is suitable for students, policy professionals, development practitioners, researchers, and individuals interested in global sustainability and data-driven decision-making. It is particularly relevant for those seeking to understand how the SDGs are monitored and how measurement tools can guide national, regional, and local development strategies.

Learning Format

The course features expert contributions from individuals involved in the creation of the Sustainable Development Report and the SDG Index. Learners examine different types of data used to measure development progress, study the technical steps required to construct an SDG index, and explore applications of these tools at national, regional, and city levels. The learning experience encourages reflection on emerging approaches to SDG measurement and the growing role of data in shaping sustainable development outcomes.

Additional Benefits

By completing the course, learners gain a clear understanding of how global sustainability progress is tracked and evaluated. The course strengthens awareness of the importance of data, indicators, and transparency in achieving the SDGs, and equips participants with the conceptual tools needed to engage in informed discussions on sustainable development measurement and policy decision-making.

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