The Sustainable Development Goals Programme

Delivering real progress against urgent societal needs

Springer Nature's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Programme aims to connect the researchers who are tackling the world’s toughest challenges with the practitioners in policy and business who desperately need those insights to achieve their goals in improving the world, by making our publishing activities more visible to our key communities through a variety of channels.

data © Springer Nature "The themes of the UN Sustainable Development Goals are inspirational to us at Springer Nature. Across our publishing and services and across the disciplines, we are focusing on helping researchers make the world a better place for future generations." -Sir Philip Campbell, Editor-in-Chief of Springer Nature

Supporting and amplifying the SDGs

Our books and journals share the discoveries that address the world’s challenges of sustainable development. We are committed to opening up research and sharing it widely so that it reaches audiences who need it to address grand challenges.

SDG 1: No Poverty

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

SDG 3: Good Health & Wellbeing

SDG 4: Learning & Education

SDG 5: Gender Equality

SDG 6: Clean Water & Sanitation

SDG 7: Affordable & Clean Energy

SDG 8: Decent Work

SDG 9: Industry & Innovation

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities

SDG 12: Consumption & 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

Examining researcher attitudes to societal impact

In partnership with The Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU), we surveyed researchers globally to understand how they approach funding and communicating research, as well as how they measure societal and academic impact. Here the data is shared according to each SDG focus. Learn more about the overall project here.

Explore the profiles of SDG researchers

Based on a survey of over 9000 researchers, this collection of infographics presents global researcher attitudes to societal impact.

Click on any SDG below to download its unique infographic and explore findings related to each profile (view raw data here).



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Innovating to support the SDGs

We bring together research and other communities of people who are striving to solve grand challenges, in new partnerships and new ways of collaborating.

Learn more about our upcoming events and new initiatives

Sustainable Development in Latin America & Caribbean Summit

Bringing together some of the leading researchers, representatives from governments, the private and third sector, the Summit will offer an opportunity for discussion to connect people and institutions that are working to solve common problems and attract international attention to the prospects and challenges facing the region. Sign up for this free three-day virtual series, taking place on September 6th, 13th and 20th.

Science on the Hill: Climate, Jobs, and the Economy

The fifth annual Science on the Hill event took place on November 19th, 2021 and brought together policy leaders and scientists to discuss how the U.S. can simultaneously take action against the climate crisis, protect jobs, and grow a strong economy. You can now watch the recording of the event.

Berlin Science Week Storytellers Show 2021

Listen to true, personal stories about food sustainability from Springer Nature authors as part of our fourth annual event. Click here to watch the recording from our latest show.

Acting as a responsible business

We are addressing our own economic, environmental and social impacts and are reducing the impact Springer Nature has on the environment by cutting our carbon footprint. We have set targets to increase diversity and inclusion at our company and contribute to programmes to support the research and education communities we work with.

2021 Sustainable Business Report

We continue to make progress as we act to become a more sustainable business and to play a part in delivering against the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Discover highlights from a pivotal year for climate in our 2021 report ‘Unlocking Potential’, including key data on our SDG-related research.

Diversity and Inclusion

We recognise the need for greater diversity and inclusion (D&I) in our own workplace. We facilitate this in part through our Employee Networks, helping to connect and support people across the company.

The Springer Nature Sustainability CommunityVisit the Community for more content

The Springer Nature Sustainability Community supports our SDG Programme. Read recently published articles and thoughts from researchers working to solve the world's grand challenges.

The (un)bearable heaviness of vehicle emissions: emergence of scaling and reduction policies

Among the Sustainable Development Goals to be reached by 2030, the United Nations pose an urgent call for action to reduce “the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, paying particular attention to air quality”. This post shows that we can succeed only if we make informed decisions.

Setting a new course: How can global shipping go green?

Is the shipping sector ready for its transition to carbon-neutrality? On the example of European bulk shipping, we show that ammonia & methanol are promising renewable fuels to replace heavy fuel oil. However, a carbon tax of 300-450 EUR/tCO2 is needed to create a level playing field vis-à-vis HFO.

Distributed reuse and water supply: Unconventional approaches enable sustainable urban water systems

Tackling water and wastewater infrastructure challenges require unconventional solutions. Implementing direct potable reuse in a distributed water supply system may yield financially competitive and energy efficient strategies that enhance urban water sustainability.