Lessons from the Sustainable Development Goals for the Post-2030 Agenda
DETAILS
CALL FOR PAPERS
Lessons from the Sustainable Development Goals for the Post-2030 Agenda
Journal: Geography and Sustainability
Publisher: Elsevier
Submission Deadline: 31 August 2026
⚠️ Submissions are by Invitation Only. Prospective authors may contact a co-editor regarding potential contributions, stating the SDG or cross-cutting SDG-related issues of the proposed contribution.
Introduction
Many countries remain off track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — making the next five years critical for accelerating progress and shaping a more effective post-2030 framework. This Special Issue brings together evidence-based assessments of all 17 SDGs — along with analyses of key cross-cutting themes — to distill lessons from implementation to date and identify opportunities for renewed action.
Contributions draw on unified datasets, comprehensive literature reviews, and critical reflections on targets and indicators. At least one assessment per SDG will be featured in this Special Issue.
Scope & Significance
As the 2030 deadline for the SDGs approaches, there is an urgent need for rigorous, evidence-based scholarship that evaluates progress, identifies implementation gaps, and shapes the architecture of the post-2030 global sustainability agenda. This Special Issue provides a dedicated platform for that scholarly work — synthesizing knowledge across all 17 SDGs and offering critical insights for policymakers, researchers, and civil society actors worldwide.
List of Topic Areas
Manuscripts are invited on assessment of all 17 SDGs and cross-cutting themes including:
SDG-Specific Assessments
SDG 1 — No Poverty
SDG 2 — Zero Hunger
SDG 3 — Good Health and Well-Being
SDG 4 — Quality Education
SDG 5 — Gender Equality
SDG 6 — Clean Water and Sanitation
SDG 7 — Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG 8 — Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 9 — Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
SDG 10 — Reduced Inequalities
SDG 11 — Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 12 — Responsible Consumption and Production
SDG 13 — Climate Action
SDG 14 — Life Below Water
SDG 15 — Life on Land
SDG 16 — Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
SDG 17 — Partnerships for the Goals
Cross-Cutting Themes
SDG interlinkages, synergies, and trade-offs
Data gaps, measurement challenges, and indicator reform
Governance and institutional frameworks for SDG implementation
Financing sustainable development and SDG investment
Science-policy interfaces and knowledge systems for SDGs
Equity, justice, and leaving no one behind
Lessons from implementation for the post-2030 agenda design
Regional and national pathways to SDG achievement
Guest Editors
Dr. Prajal Pradhan University of Groningen, Netherlands Email: p.pradhan@rug.nl
Dr. Cameron Allen Monash University, Melbourne, Australia Email: cameron.allen@monash.edu
Prof. Dr. Ranjula Bali Swain Stockholm School of Economics, Sweden Email: Ranjula.Bali@hhs.se
Prof. Dr. Min Cao Nanjing Normal University, China Email: caomin@njnu.edu.cn
Dr. Carole-Anne Sénit Utrecht University, Netherlands Email: c.a.senit@uu.nl
Key Deadlines
Manuscript Submission Opens: 1 March 2026
Manuscript Submission Deadline: 31 August 2026
Submission Guidelines
⚠️ This Special Issue is by invitation only. Prospective authors wishing to contribute should contact one of the co-editors — stating the SDG or cross-cutting SDG-related issues of their proposed contribution — before submitting.
Once invited, submit your manuscript via Editorial Manager and select Article Type:
"VSI: Lessons from SDGs"
All submissions deemed suitable will be reviewed by at least two independent reviewers. Accepted articles will be simultaneously published in a current regular issue and featured in the online Special Issue.
For author guidelines, visit the official Geography and Sustainability journal page on the Elsevier ScienceDirect website.
Why Publish in This Special Issue?
Special Issue articles are downloaded twice as often within the first 24 months compared to regular issue articles
Special Issue articles attract 20% more citations in the first 24 months
Articles are published together on ScienceDirect — easy for researchers to discover your work
All articles reviewed by no fewer than two independent experts
About the Journal
Geography and Sustainability, published by Elsevier, is a leading fully open access peer-reviewed journal with a CiteScore of 14.7 and Impact Factor of 8.0. It is dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary research at the intersection of geography and sustainability science — providing a global platform for scholars exploring how spatial processes, human-environment interactions, and governance systems shape progress toward sustainable development worldwide.
ServiceSetu Academics — Premier Platform for Academic Opportunities & Research Collaboration
COMMENTS (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
SIGN IN TO COMMENT