The SDG

Transformation Center

Science-based tools and analytics for SDG pathways, policies and financing

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Why SDG Transformation

Long-term investment plans are essential for national success in meeting the SDGs. SDSN has recommended six inter-related long-term transformations:

  1. Universal quality education and innovation-based economy
  2. Universal health coverage
  3. Zero-carbon energy systems
  4. Sustainable ecosystems, sustainable agriculture, and climate resilience
  5. Sustainable cities
  6. Transformation to universal digital access and services

Each of these challenges require large-scale public and private investments to mid-century. Each requires a technological transformation. Each requires a financing strategy to underpin the investment plans.

The SDG Transformation Center provides science-based tools and analytics to support the implementation of these Six Transformations. It is also a platform for learning and exchange. It builds on SDSN’s global network of researchers and scientists and a decade of work led by the SDSN on SDG data, analytics, and pathways.

Introduction section
The Sustainable Development Report tracks indicators of country-level progress on the Six Transformations.
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SDG Financing

The SDGs are largely an investment agenda into physical infrastructure and human capital. They also require long-term planning and commitment. Many developing countries face major fiscal space constraints which represent significant barriers to achieving the SDGs. The Center aims to complement international efforts to scale-up sustainable development finance through thematic analyses and bilateral partnerships for long-term budget frameworks and pathways.

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SDG Policies

Time lags in international statistics mean that outcomes-based assessments like the SDG Index often provide a snapshot of SDG performance as of two or three years ago. By tracking policy commitments, ambitions and actions we can provide timelier, more accurate evaluations of government efforts on the SDGs. SDSN develops conceptual and practical tools to track SDG policies.

International spillovers

International Spillovers

International spillover effects are the positive or negative externalities generated by the actions of one country on another – including on its ability to achieve the SDGs. The SDG Transformation Center studies and measures these international spillover effects so countries can develop policy solutions to address them.

Geospatial Tools

Geospatial data, tools and analytics provide useful, timely and granular information for targeted SDG action. Thanks in part to a partnership with Esri, the SDG Transformation Center develops new geospatial indicators and analysis to support evidence-based SDG pathways and policies for cities, regions and national governments.

In collaboration with

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Solutions and Partnerships

The Center uses our tools, data and methods to provide targeted support to UN institutions, national governments, multilateral development banks, statistical offices and other stakeholders. Learn more about the process and outcomes of these cooperative projects.

  • Tools like the SDG Index and Dashboards help countries prioritize areas for action and help civil society groups to hold governments accountable.

    Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group.
    Read the full statement

  • This innovative partnership with SDSN completes our institutional set-up in favor of the implementation of the SDGs. The work carried out will provide a critical and scientifically rigorous perspective on the policies we are pursuing and which we intend to finance in part through the SDG bond issue. The SDSN will play an important advisory role by providing observations and recommendations that will be considered in the design of our public policies and government action, but also shared with our various stakeholders, including our international investors.

  • I congratulate the team and SDSN for all their efforts into producing the Europe Sustainable Development Report 2022… Achieving the SDG agenda requires partnership from all and a clear vision and more financing. The report shows where most of the progress is done and where the EU is struggling and has challenges.

    Senida Mesi, Former Deputy Prime Minister of Albania, Member of the SDSN Western Balkans Leadership Council, Member of the European Commission's High Level Expert Group on scaling up the Sustainable Finance in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

  • This year's European Sustainable Development Report should be essential reading for all policy-makers and all politicians alike… The ESDR is thus a model of professional and scientific data collection and analysis. It is thanks to expertise and analysis such as this that the European Parliament is in a position influence legislation and policy-making to further the SDGs.

  • Tools like the SDG Index and Dashboards help countries prioritize areas for action and help civil society groups to hold governments accountable.

    Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group.
    Read the full statement