SGI Studies
Our studies offer comprehensive
examinations of central aspects and
region-specific challenges related to
sustainable governance. Moreover we
have investigated the state of play of
social justice and social inclusion,
COVID-19 crisis management or the
implementation of the Sustainable
Development Goals.
SGI Policy Briefs
Our policy briefs examine specific
policy challenges, summarizing
current interventions and good
practices for policymakers, while
considering the key impacts.
Assessing Progress in Sustainable Governance
Results of the SGI Survey
Climate change, geopolitical instability, techno- logical change and sociodemographic change are testing the capacity of OECD and EU countries to innovate and adapt like never before. Our analysis reveals a troubling pattern: most advanced economies are still not adequately equipped to deliver sustainable policy. The Nordic countries are among the best prepared.
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Toward Climate Neutrality
Policy Brief 2024/02
How determined are OECD and EU countries in pursuing the goal of climate neutrality by 2050? Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Spain are setting the pace with their effective policy strategies. In contrast, Canada, Australia, Israel, Poland and Hungary need to significantly ramp up their efforts. The analysis compares the effectiveness of national policies in climate protection, energy transition and circular economy practices.
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Assessing Zero-Emissions Energy Transitions:
A Systemic View
The primary objective of this report is to formu- late a comprehensive analytical framework for tracking sector-level net-zero transition progress. Unlike existing frameworks that often possess a broad scope with little theoretical underpinning, this report adopts a theory-led and focused approach to enhance result interpretability.
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Meeting Climate Targets
Policy Brief 2024/01
Even pioneering nations lag in systemic change toward full decarbonization, yet their examples show that acceleration is possible. Our sectoral analysis highlights specific opportunities for, and barriers to, climate policy reform in Denmark, Norway, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
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Governance Study
Liberal democracies must practice forward-looking governance
Our study highlights the key differences found among EU and OECD countries with regard to their capacity to develop sustainable policy strategies, the ability to horizontally and vertically coordinate policy, and the acumen in building public consensus. Although progress is needed in all 41 countries, our study also points to some countries featuring good governance practices.
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SGI 2021 COVID Special Study
How Resilient are SGI Countries?
Well-organized democracies have navigated their way through the coronavirus crisis, benefitting from forward-looking and participation-oriented approaches to governance. We see worrying developments in states where media freedom, civil liberties and an independent judiciary were already under threat before the crisis, resulting in the weakest COVID-19 response performances.
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Policy Brief
Major differences in the conditions for successful COVID-19 crisis management
The COVID-19 crisis is functioning as a litmus test of wealthier democracies’ future viability. EU and OECD countries vary considerably in terms of their pre-crisis socioeconomic conditions. Their capacity for political reform also varies widely. These differences are likely to grow as the COVID-19 crisis continues.
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Social Justice in the EU and OECD
Index Report 2019
The Social Justice Index investigates opportunities for social participation in 41 EU and OECD countries on the basis of 46 quantitative and qualitative criteria. It examines six dimensions of social justice: poverty, education, the labor market, intergenerational justice, health, and social inclusion and nondiscrimination.
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SGI 2018
Sustainable Policies and Good Governance in the OECD and EU
The quality of democracy in the OECD and EU has declined in recent years. At the same time, growing political polarization has made the day-to-day work of governance and thus member states’ capacity to reform more difficult. The SGI examines 41 countries in terms of their democratic standards, quality of governance and policy outcomes.
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Social Justice in the EU 2017
Index Report
The Social Justice Index compares 28 EU states across six dimensions: Poverty prevention, equitable education, labor market access, social cohesion and non-discrimination, health, as well as intergenerational justice. It reveals that EU countries vary considerably in their ability to create a truly inclusive society.
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Social Justice in the EU 2016
Index Report
Based on quantitative and qualitative SGI data, the Social Justice Index compares the 28 EU states across six dimensions: Poverty prevention, equitable education, labor market access, social cohesion and non-discrimination, health, as well as intergenerational justice. It reveals that EU countries vary considerably in their ability to create a truly inclusive society.
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UN SDGs
Are the rich countries ready?
The MDGs have led to tangible progress in many developing countries. The United Nations’ new global Sustainable Development Goals will additionally require industrialized countries to implement such standards beginning in 2016. But the world’s first comprehensive stocktaking shows that most industrialized nations are a long way from serving as role models for sustainable development.
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