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2024 | Book

The Quest for the Sustainable Development Goals

Living experiences in territorializing the 2030 Agenda in Brazil

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About this book

The book presents the experiences, complexities, and contradictions of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in Brazil so far. Through chapters from a variety of stakeholders, the book examines national, regional, and local aspects of development in Brazil. The chapters here draw from scientific knowledge and practical experience to take a critical look at what the SDGs mean in a Global South country and what the implications of this are for global development.

The book is divided into three sections. The first section addresses the critical political and institutional aspects related to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in Brazil, highlighting advances as well as pitfalls and setbacks. The chapters look at broad questions related to the role of civil society in defining political priorities and strategies to move forward with the SDGs as well as issues involved in incorporating the SDGs at different levels of government and other institutions. The chapters in this section critically address the political and institutional advances as well as barriers to the progress of the SDGs in Brazil.

The second section directly addresses progress made toward the SDGs in the context of the political, economic and social variables specific to Brazil. The chapters address critical shortcomings and demands for Brazilian society: the need for improvements in education and employment policies to reduce poverty, the urgent need to increase gender equality and reduce violence, as well as the imperative to strengthen institutions and policies to mitigate climate change and protect the environment.

The final section focuses on critically assessing the 2030 Agenda itself and drawing from a Global South IR perspective. The chapters here dialog with decolonial and post-developmentalist perspectives to highlight problems with the agenda and lift up sidelined priorities, presenting yet-unexamined policy solutions and innovations that are currently absent from the global institutional agenda. The Brazilian case is a perfect illustration of how underdevelopment and political instability can constrain the paths to sustainable development, while at the same time social innovations, leverages based on regional dynamics, and strength from social and cultural diversity can drive sustained progress.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter

Social Agency and the Struggle to Implement the SDG Under Challenging Contexts

Frontmatter
1. The Brazilian National Landscape in Governing and Implementing the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs
Abstract
The SDG’s diffusion and localization processes entail a complex interaction between domestic and international realms. Decisions made in transnational arenas are domestically interpreted and translated, shaping or legitimizing domestic frameworks based on the countries’ and localities’ realities, capacities, policies, and priorities. Using a qualitative-interpretive approach, this chapter presents an overview of the adoption of SDGs in Brazil between 2012 and 2022 and proposes a periodization of the governance and implementation at the national level. The research findings reveal the emergence of complex and fragmented social governance. On the one hand, the incorporation of SDGs in Brazil followed cyclical factors, mainly the presidential terms. On the other hand, throughout the analyzed period, structural resistance from political actors, mainly from civil society and subnational governments, persisted, while some resistance emerged within the Legislative, Judiciary, and Executive branches. These actors used the SDGs to keep the sustainable development agenda, prevent setbacks, and hold the government accountable. Finally, a prospective analysis is presented on the third Lula administration.
Rodrigo Ramiro
2. The Insistence on Transforming the World: Brazilian Civil Society and the 2030 Agenda
Abstract
This chapter discusses the participation of Brazilian civil society in the construction of resolution A/70/15 approved by the United Nations (UN), whose negotiation was recognized as one of the most inclusive ever carried out by the UN. It was developed based on the experience of Gestos (Seropositivity, Communication and Gender), an NGO created in 1993 in Recife-PE, which participated in the entire process established by the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, held in 2012. Civil Society Organizations moved on a chessboard of extremely dense, unequal power struggles with complex dynamics within the Brazilian State, the United Nations, its member states, and the various negotiating blocs. The stakeholders were many and there were, therefore, multiple interests in dispute for the definition of the objectives to be achieved by 2030 which, in the end, also ended up benefiting from the citizen diplomacy exercised by Brazilian NGOs and networks.
Alessandra Nilo
3. Building an Ecosystem of Innovative SDG-Led Solutions: Brazilian Civil Society Organizations Driving the 2030 Agenda Implementation
Abstract
This chapter focus on the Brazilian experiences of innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the roll of Civil Society Organizations (CSO). It highlights how grassroots initiatives in Brazil can serve as a model for similar contexts in the Global South. This chapter emphasizes the importance of recognizing the innovation and creativity of the Brazilian population in addressing society’s complex problems, and how these solutions can inspire disruptive models of sustainability. The study is divided into three main parts, discussing the theoretical-conceptual framework supporting innovation for the SDGs, debating on Brazilian CSO engagement in innovative SDG-led solutions, assessing structurant elements of these solutions and looking to the future of the 2030 Agenda. Overall, this communication provides valuable insights into Brazilian experiences of innovation for the SDGs, highlighting the significance of alliances with civil society and SDG-led solutions in achieving sustainable development
Thiago Gehre Galvão, Rafaela Freitas Santos Lenares, Sofia Lopes Martins
4. The Power of Localities: Subnational Governments and the Territorialization of SDGs
Abstract
Despite the inaction of the Federal Government in almost all aspects concerning the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during the administration of Jair Bolsonaro, the important setbacks in critical public policies, and the disarticulation of institutions and partnerships to achieve its goals, the Brazilian subnational governments have taken important initiatives in this area. This chapter presents and analyzes the role of subnational governments in implementing the SDGs nationally. It is noteworthy that, even in a context of political crisis, budgetary and social limitations, aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, states and municipalities have innovated in incorporating the SDGs into their strategies for social and economic development, building of partnership, and international cooperation.
Liliana Ramalho Froio, Pascoal T. Carvalho Gonçalves
5. Challenges and Opportunities of a Brazilian Network of Universities for the SDG Implementation
Abstract
This chapter delves into the global challenge of implementing the 2030 Agenda, emphasizing the pivotal role of Brazilian Public Universities (BPUs) in realizing this ambitious agenda. Acknowledging the multifaceted challenges in teaching, research, outreach activities, and management, the focus is on how universities, particularly BPUs, can play a crucial role in ensuring access to quality education and generating applied knowledge. This chapter focus on the potential for these universities to become key players by forming collaborative networks to address the challenges of localizing the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As integral components of their local communities, public universities contribute significantly to local economies and act as knowledge hubs producers. The core objective of this chapter is to critically assess the prospects for creating a Brazilian university network committed to integrating SDGs into core activities, emphasizing the synergistic capacity of SDG 4 and the transformative power of education. The narrative underscores the fundamental role of BPUs in addressing social inequalities and promoting inclusive education, positioning them as crucial for the successful territorialization of the 2030 Agenda. This chapter concludes by highlighting the opportunities for networking between universities and various stakeholders, presenting outreach activities as a promising path for BPUs to assume a leading role in implementing the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.
Thiago Gehre Galvão, Henrique Zeferino de Menezes, Leonardo Evangelista Moraes, Raquel Cabral, Rafael Lucyk Maurer, Rudiney Soares Pereira, Zysman Neiman
6. Framing SDG Goals and Targets: The Role of Production of Indicators in the Success of the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda in Brazil
Abstract
The process of discussing and producing indicators for monitoring the 2030 Agenda brings great challenges to global and national statistical systems. On the one hand, it points out fundamental research and analysis needs for achieving the agreed goals around more dignified and sustainable living conditions for people and the planet. On the other hand, it highlights the limitations of the statistical capacities of developing countries to produce a large amount of regular, robust, and reliable official indicators, constructed from a multiplicity of sources (research and administrative records). This chapter presents a critical reflection on the internalization process of the 2030 Agenda in Brazil from the perspective of building monitoring indicators. It explores the institutional structure of the National Statistical System and the recent period characterized by economic, political, and institutional crises, which had a major impact on this process.
Barbara Cobo, Leonardo Athias
7. Brazil and the Challenge of Financing for Sustainable Development: A New Imperative for Survival
Abstract
This chapter critiques the current approach to financing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), attributing challenges to a lack of political will, biased policies, and public-private partnerships favoring economic elites. It calls for a fundamental shift in economic paradigms and political courage to effectively implement the SDGs. The persistence of neocolonialism is identified through mechanisms like debt cycles and cognitive illusions sustaining social and economic inequalities. To overcome this, the author advocates for a sincere examination of history, counter-hegemonic enlightenment, and global decolonization. Economic elites, rooted in historical conservative values, are blamed for hindering progressive reforms, tax changes, and necessary regulations, leading to a cycle of debt and austerity policies. The resurgence of neofascism, fueled by resistant elites, is noted. This chapter connects neocolonialism to historical colonization patterns, emphasizing globalization’s role in perpetuating economic asymmetry and environmental degradation. In the context of Brazil, this chapter criticizes the alignment with orthodox economic policies, advocating for a progressive tax reform, economic literacy, and public bank alignment with the SDGs to foster sustainable development.
Claudio Fernandes

Far Beyond the Economic Dimension on SDG Implementation

Frontmatter
8. Facing the Twin Challenges of Extreme Poverty and Hunger: Public Policies Driven by the 2030 Agenda
Abstract
This chapter examines the interwoven issues of poverty and hunger in Brazil over the past three decades, underscoring their connection and advocating for inclusive policies to combat inequalities. It notes a recent upsurge in poverty and hunger since 2016, echoing warnings from the Civil Society Working Group on the 2030 Agenda. Historical inequalities, including racial, gender, and territorial disparities, are identified as root causes, with urban poverty exacerbated by the absence of agrarian reform and wealth concentration. While early 2000s initiatives like the Family Farming Harvest Plan and School Feeding Program initially reduced poverty, recent data indicates a reversal, necessitating urgent inclusive development policies. The narrative traces Brazil’s progress until 2015, attributing subsequent regression to economic and political crises, policy errors, and deliberate actions. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated challenges, complicating blame attribution. Despite setbacks, optimism exists for post-2022 election policy reversals, highlighting efforts to recreate institutions like CONSEA and reform the Bolsa Família Program. The text underscores the importance of addressing challenges such as food inflation and wealth taxation, with a call for societal awareness and commitment to the SDG and the 2030 Agenda.
Francisco Menezes
9. Bridging Health, Innovation, and Sustainable Development: Achievements and Pitfalls of Vaccination Policies in Brazil
Abstract
This chapter explores the intricate relationship between vaccination policies and public health outcomes, emphasizing the pivotal role of immunization in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It analyzes Brazil’s remarkable progress in vaccine coverage, which has led to the control and eradication of critical diseases, yielding significant public health benefits. This chapter also addresses the current challenges facing Brazil’s vaccination policies that led to a severe decline in vaccine coverage. This chapter underscores the urgent need for a new national plan to combat vaccine hesitancy, enhance local vaccine production, and ensure effective vaccination for all Brazilians. The intertwined dynamics of healthcare and vaccination policies highlight the critical importance of tackling public health challenges to achieve sustainable development goals. This involves promoting universal vaccine access, strengthening healthcare systems, and fostering local vaccine production capacity, all essential to safeguard public health, stimulate economic growth, and encourage technological innovation. Brazil’s commitment to overcoming these challenges is crucial for global efforts to combat infectious diseases.
Henrique Zeferino de Menezes, Luciana Correia Borges
10. SDG 4 in Dispute: Between the Right to Education and the Human Capital Agenda
Abstract
The chapter argues that despite facing several crises and being subject to past tendencies, there was still resistance and impact from educational forces in the construction of Sustainable Development Goal 4. However, as expected, economists had a significant role in defining the terms of SDG 4 for its implementation. The first part of the analysis contextualizes the right to education in an international context, providing a meaning for educators’ defense. It then presents the battle between two education concepts and the strategies currently used to mitigate the neoliberal idea underlying the economic agenda. After contextualizing the concepts, the chapter analyzes the creation of Agenda 2030 and the general issues it seeks to address. Then, the focus narrows down to the analysis of SDG 4 from the perspective of the political dispute between the two education concepts, identifying marks in different phases and parts of the objective’s elaboration process. Afterward, it delves into key issues related to the Brazilian case, focusing on the narrowing of educational reforms that tend to emphasize standardized tests for the assessment of competencies. This discussion raises important questions about the broader implications for education in the country. Finally, the chapter presents the first signs of impact resulting from this puzzle, a result of apparently conciliatory international negotiations.
Andressa Camile Pellanda
11. Labour, Gender Inequalities and the SDGs: Why Is Decent Work a Gendered Question?
Abstract
This chapter discusses the interconnection between the SDGs decent work and gender equality and argues that decent work is a feminist and gendered issue. Given the gendered stratification of the labour market and the impact of unpaid care work on women’s opportunities, I demonstrate that decent work cannot be achieved without working simultaneously on gender equality. To do so, SDG 8 must include a gender perspective and revise its indicators in order to recognise the value of care work and the specificities of women’s labour. Based on two empirical examples of campaigns developed by grassroots women’s groups in Brazil, namely, the Institute Women of the Amazon and the National Federation of Domestic Workers, this chapter further provides some concrete ideas to rethink and adapt the SDG decent work with a gender perspective. Indeed, the work of these women shows the importance of care work and reproductive labour and creates the necessary connections between gender, care and labour to foster a more inclusive and more sustainable model of development.
Louisa Acciari
12. Energy Transition in Brazil: Challenges to Achieve the SDG 7
Abstract
This chapter focuses the SDG 7, ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. This is a key topic both for successfully tackling climate change—given that the highest share of global greenhouse gases emissions are originated from the energy sector, especially due to fossil fuel combustion—and to enhance standards of living for all peoples, given that energy is a key input for any activity. Through our text, the aim is to present the definition of SDG 7, including the four areas in which action should be undertaken to implement it; the status of implementation of action in these four areas worldwide; and the main challenges to reach full implementation in Brazil. Finally, it presents the perspectives on the topic following the 2022 elections and the start of a new federal administration in 2023. In the chapter, we employ a political economy approach, identifying issues, actors and their political positionings, focusing on empirical data to base the arguments presented.
Larissa Basso
13. Connecting Life on Land (SDG 15) with Planetary Justice in the Amazon
Abstract
In this chapter, we present the challenges for the implementation of SDG 15 (life on land) in the global South, through the assessment of the situation of the Amazon rainforest during and after the administration of Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil (2019–2022). We show that the rise in deforestation happened in tandem with the increase of hunger, poverty, and human rights abuses. Equipped with recent literature on the SDGs and “planetary justice,” we argue that the implementation of the SDG 15 alone is not enough for preserving biodiversity in the Amazon. It must occur together with the pursuit of other SDGs, especially SDGs 1, 2, and 3, in line with the goals for a safe and just planet.
Cristina Y. A. Inoue, Vinícius Mendes
14. The Implementation of SDG 14 in Brazil: Too Close to Scylla and Charybdis?
Abstract
This chapter discusses the critical global issue of ocean health and its connection to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14), which aims to safeguard and sustainably utilize marine resources. Despite various international efforts, the world’s oceans are facing severe challenges, including pollution, warming, and overfishing. The text highlights the interconnectedness of SDG 14 with other sustainable development goals and the urgent need for effective global ocean governance. It also examines Brazil’s unique situation, facing the dual challenge of unregulated marine exploitation and excessive environmental restrictions. The text emphasizes the importance of balancing these factors to prevent poverty and environmental degradation. It concludes by expressing hope that Brazil, under President Lula’s leadership, will steer toward a more sustainable and balanced approach to ocean management, but notes the need for a comprehensive plan to navigate these challenges effectively.
Ana Flávia Barros-Platiau, Carina Costa de Oliveira, Carlos Henrique Tomé, Rafael Schleicher, Catherine Tinker, Leandra R. Gonçalves, Fábio Henrique Granja e Barros

Critically Assessing and Rethinking the 2030 Agenda and the SDG

Frontmatter
15. Overcoming the Challenges for the Territorialization of the SDGs in the Amazon: Guarantee of Security and Food Sovereignty
Abstract
The territorialization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implies their localization at subnational levels, especially in the federation units and municipalities. The localization of the SDGs is understood as their introduction as a parameter of public actions and policies, as well as of the actions and initiatives of civil society and the business sector. In the current context of Brazil, this process presents challenges and dilemmas related to the operation of dismantling the institutions that have been built over decades for formulation, implementation, and participatory monitoring. The chapter deals with these challenges from the context of the deep Amazons, which are located in the states of Amapá and Pará, and the initiatives developed by the International Institute of Education of Brazil and by collectives of agro-extractivist women in Portel (PA) and in the Beira Amazonas Region (AP), as a contribution so that SDG 2 and SDG 5 are more than a long-term intention; they become a daily lived reality.
João Daltro Paiva, Katiuscia Fernandes Miranda, Waldileia Rendeiro da Silva Amaral
16. State Violence in Brazil and Its Impacts on SDG 16
Abstract
In the current era in which the discussion on the 2030 Agenda and its objectives are at the center of debate on development and peace, it is key to discuss the extent to which a violent state affects the fulfillment of the global goals of the SDG 16. While usually the state is a central actor to promote the SDG, there are also cases in which the state serves as a blockage to peace, as shown by a recent literature. Institutions and its process not only serve as peacebuilders, but also as a blockage that works as a counter-peace, which seems the case of the Brazilian state. This chapter aims to observe the compliance of the SDG 16 goal in Brazil as well as point out more directly the state actions related to it. To do so, we triangulate data provided by the IPEA (Institute of Applied Economic Research, Brazil), Brazilian Public Security Forum (FBSP), and UNODC, combined with analysis of current news on the issue. Our argument here is that the historical background normalizes the state violence, which makes the implementation of the 16th Goal more difficult in Brazil.
Marcos Alan Ferreira, Ana Andreasi
17. Queering the 2030 Agenda: A Critical Evaluation of the SDG5 and Its Implementation in Brazil
Abstract
This chapter builds on the anti-heteronormative and disruptive content of queer critiques to, in light of the debates on SDG territorialization and the limitations of SDG5, queer the 2030 Agenda. The limits of SDG5’s promotion of gender equality are contextualized considering the specificities of the 2030 Agenda as a state-sponsored political project to promote sustainable development which emerged and was consolidated amidst turbulent international (anti-)gender politics and found in Brazil a hostile political context. The Agenda has, however, been territorialized, that is, queer activists who have been countering structural and historical problems in Brazilian gender and sexual politics for decades have translated the Global Goals to local priorities. SDG5’s targets are dissected to reveal how their promotion of gender equality is limited by cis/heteronormative outlooks. Emphasizing the reprocentric futurity which grounds the notion of sustainable development, we demonstrate how, while promoting gender equality, SDG5 reaffirms hierarchical gendered and sexualized power relations. The goal does not challenge contingent categories such as gender and sexuality, normalizes reproduction as what constitutes a meaningful life, and that way obscures how the modern capitalist state system depends on them. Building on the Brazilian case the chapter demonstrates the ambivalence of the 2030 agenda as a project to promote sustainable—as in livable, not unceasing—life and suggests more inclusive and multiple futurities.
Xaman Korai Pinheiro Minillo, Mariana Meriqui Rodrigues
18. Audiovisual Programs for Promoting a SDG Culture: Rethinking the 2030 Agenda on Culture, Art and Communication in Brazilian Universities
Abstract
This chapter presents the results of inter-institutional partnerships based on principles of communication for peace, reflecting on the Epistemologies of the South and the convergence between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN 2030 Agenda and science. Based on critical reflections and experiences from the following three Brazilian universities, São Paulo State University (Unesp), The Federal University for Latin American Integration (UNILA), and the University of Brasilia (UnB), we noted that the communicative process met the fundamental communication guidelines for promoting the culture of the SDGs, such as (1) a commitment to discuss issues related to the various forms of violence in society; (2) produce narratives that deconstruct colonial points of view; (3) promote a diversity of narratives for the different social groups involved in and affected by logics that legitimize violence; and (4) promote democratic access to scientific knowledge through communication for science. Based on these concrete experiences, we analyze the pertinence of the communicational dimension of the 2030 Agenda, which reiterates the importance of a specific SDG which focuses on Culture, Art, and Communication.
Raquel Cabral, Juarez T. P. Xavier, Mayra Ferreira, Diuan dos S. Feltrin
19. 2030 Agenda for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs): Representation, Participation, and Rights in Global Sustainability
Abstract
The 2030 Agenda constitutes an international dialogue platform aimed at representing diverse perspectives from around the world. Within this framework, proposals, goals, and global indicators centered on sustainability, equity, and justice are formulated and serve as guiding principles in shaping local and national policies. However, global sustainability agendas present challenges regarding diversity and inclusion, establishing initial benchmarks for projects and initiatives across various contexts and levels. This chapter emphasizes key challenges associated with the involvement of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) in the elaboration and implementation of the 2030 Agenda, specially focusing on the Brazilian implementation context. We highlight some of the main IPLCs international struggles and principles, such as the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), that was excluded from the 2030 Agenda. While global agendas hold significant potential to support the struggles of Indigenous Peoples, particularly within local dialogues where IPLCs play crucial roles in any sustainability endeavor, there exists ample opportunity to democratize the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through enhanced participation and interculturality. Establishing pathways toward this genuinely inclusive approach is not solely an opportunity for IPLCs to safeguard their rights or for global sustainable development agencies to devise new and effective alternatives to the 2030 Agenda. It is also an imperative for the global community to address climate and humanitarian crises comprehensively.
Yara Resende Martinelli, Bruno Marangoni Martinelli
20. Ten Years of the Implementation of Affirmative Action Law for Black Students in Higher Education Institutions: Challenges and Strategies Related to the SDG
Abstract
This chapter analyzes the main challenges faced evaluating the Law 12,711/2012, which made the adoption of affirmative action mandatory for public school students and Black students in higher education institutions in Brazil. In the last 10 years, the proportion of Black students in federal higher education institutions increased. Regarding the implementation of the Law, the hetero-identification commissions were the solution found to ensure that people socially recognized as Black occupy reserved vacancies and fulfill the objectives of representativeness and diversity. However, the commissions still do not work in all selection processes of higher education institutions. The 10-year evaluation foreseen in the Law was not performed due to the omission of the Ministry of Education, Seppir, and the Congress. However, academia, Black organizations, and independent agencies made efforts to have evaluations on the policy. One important example was the partnership between the Federal Public Defender’s Office and the Brazilian Association of Black Researchers (ABPN) that elaborated the most comprehensive evaluation about the Law implementation. Finally, other important challenges to improve the performance of the policy are highlighted such as the expansion of student assistance policies, the monitoring of filling vacancies by Black students per course, and the transparency of the institutions’ data.
Dalila Fernandes de Negreiros, Eduardo Gomor dos Santos
21. From Marginalization to Integration: Racial Agenda in the UN, the 2030 Agenda and Brazil’s Proposal of SDG 18 for Racial Equality
Abstract
The issue of racial equality, historically marginalized on global, political, and social agendas, has experienced a significant emergence both on the international stage and in the Brazilian context. The UN has progressively embraced the racial agenda, albeit with some notable gaps, particularly in the 2030 Agenda. In Brazil, a movement of reemergence of the racial agenda has been observed, which has influenced the recent Brazilian proposal for an 18th SDG focused on racial equality. This dynamic reflects a global and national awakening to systemic racial inequalities and the urgency of more inclusive and representative approaches. This chapter examines the landscape within the UN system for racial issues and the marginalization of these agendas in the 2030 Agenda, as well as the emergence of racial discussion in the implementation of the SDGs in Brazil through civil initiatives and the first year of President Lula’s third term.
Ana Luisa Jorge Martins, Rômulo Paes-Sousa
Backmatter
Metadata
Title
The Quest for the Sustainable Development Goals
Editors
Thiago Gehre Galvao
Henrique Zeferino de Menezes
Copyright Year
2024
Electronic ISBN
978-3-031-59279-9
Print ISBN
978-3-031-59278-2
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-59279-9