Analyzing SDGs in high-and-low-emission industries: a comparative study of sustainability reports

Abstract This study assesses different Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in high- and low-polluting industries through a comparative analysis of sustainability reports. The objective is to evaluate SDG-related terms in reports from 16 companies across four sectors—Cement, Automobile, Electric Equ...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Vinod Sharma, Manohar Kapse, N. Elangovan, Yogesh Mahajan, Bethu Medhini
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-07-01
Series:Discover Sustainability
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01193-x
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849238159260385280
author Vinod Sharma
Manohar Kapse
N. Elangovan
Yogesh Mahajan
Bethu Medhini
author_facet Vinod Sharma
Manohar Kapse
N. Elangovan
Yogesh Mahajan
Bethu Medhini
author_sort Vinod Sharma
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study assesses different Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in high- and low-polluting industries through a comparative analysis of sustainability reports. The objective is to evaluate SDG-related terms in reports from 16 companies across four sectors—Cement, Automobile, Electric Equipment, and IT—over five years. Using Python for data extraction and the “text2sdg” package in R programming for SDG term detection, the study identifies both prioritized and overlooked SDGs. Results indicate that high and low-polluting industries share similar SDG focus areas. SDGs 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action) received the most attention. In contrast, SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 5 (Gender Equality), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and 14 (Life Below Water) are consistently underrepresented. The findings suggest that both categories of industries acknowledge the importance of sustainability, yet significant gaps remain in addressing social and environmental challenges. This research contributes to the broader discourse on corporate sustainability and its role in achieving the 2030 Agenda, offering actionable insights for industries to increase their focus on less-considered SDGs. By identifying areas of improvement, the study supports efforts to foster more inclusive and environmentally responsible business practices.
format Article
id doaj-art-9b261d50fb484c2b98d7e50178ed531d
institution Kabale University
issn 2662-9984
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Springer
record_format Article
series Discover Sustainability
spelling doaj-art-9b261d50fb484c2b98d7e50178ed531d2025-08-20T04:01:43ZengSpringerDiscover Sustainability2662-99842025-07-016111910.1007/s43621-025-01193-xAnalyzing SDGs in high-and-low-emission industries: a comparative study of sustainability reportsVinod Sharma0Manohar Kapse1N. Elangovan2Yogesh Mahajan3Bethu Medhini4Symbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resource Development, Symbiosis International (Deemed University)Jaipuria Institute of ManagementSchool of Business and Management, Christ UniversitySymbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resource Development, Symbiosis International (Deemed University)School of Business and Management, Christ UniversityAbstract This study assesses different Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in high- and low-polluting industries through a comparative analysis of sustainability reports. The objective is to evaluate SDG-related terms in reports from 16 companies across four sectors—Cement, Automobile, Electric Equipment, and IT—over five years. Using Python for data extraction and the “text2sdg” package in R programming for SDG term detection, the study identifies both prioritized and overlooked SDGs. Results indicate that high and low-polluting industries share similar SDG focus areas. SDGs 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action) received the most attention. In contrast, SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 5 (Gender Equality), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and 14 (Life Below Water) are consistently underrepresented. The findings suggest that both categories of industries acknowledge the importance of sustainability, yet significant gaps remain in addressing social and environmental challenges. This research contributes to the broader discourse on corporate sustainability and its role in achieving the 2030 Agenda, offering actionable insights for industries to increase their focus on less-considered SDGs. By identifying areas of improvement, the study supports efforts to foster more inclusive and environmentally responsible business practices.https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01193-xSustainable development goalsSustainability reportsText analysisComparative analysisHigh pollutingLow polluting
spellingShingle Vinod Sharma
Manohar Kapse
N. Elangovan
Yogesh Mahajan
Bethu Medhini
Analyzing SDGs in high-and-low-emission industries: a comparative study of sustainability reports
Discover Sustainability
Sustainable development goals
Sustainability reports
Text analysis
Comparative analysis
High polluting
Low polluting
title Analyzing SDGs in high-and-low-emission industries: a comparative study of sustainability reports
title_full Analyzing SDGs in high-and-low-emission industries: a comparative study of sustainability reports
title_fullStr Analyzing SDGs in high-and-low-emission industries: a comparative study of sustainability reports
title_full_unstemmed Analyzing SDGs in high-and-low-emission industries: a comparative study of sustainability reports
title_short Analyzing SDGs in high-and-low-emission industries: a comparative study of sustainability reports
title_sort analyzing sdgs in high and low emission industries a comparative study of sustainability reports
topic Sustainable development goals
Sustainability reports
Text analysis
Comparative analysis
High polluting
Low polluting
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01193-x
work_keys_str_mv AT vinodsharma analyzingsdgsinhighandlowemissionindustriesacomparativestudyofsustainabilityreports
AT manoharkapse analyzingsdgsinhighandlowemissionindustriesacomparativestudyofsustainabilityreports
AT nelangovan analyzingsdgsinhighandlowemissionindustriesacomparativestudyofsustainabilityreports
AT yogeshmahajan analyzingsdgsinhighandlowemissionindustriesacomparativestudyofsustainabilityreports
AT bethumedhini analyzingsdgsinhighandlowemissionindustriesacomparativestudyofsustainabilityreports