The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Paris Climate Agreement, adopted in 2015, set new global strategies for the development of humanity. However, the turbulent global environment and increasing trends of deglobalisation hinder the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and require a critical analysis of the tasks and indicators, particularly within the institutional SDGs 16 and 17. For Russia, transitioning to sustainable and low-carbon development is highly relevant, as evidenced by the adoption of several legal acts and other documents. However, the 2022 crisis has altered the country’s cooperation directions, including those within the framework of national strategies, and deepened ties with BRICS countries. In this context, a comparative assessment of the achievement of institutional SDGs by BRICS countries is of particular importance, as it may help to adjust cooperation mechanisms in the future. This study employs a systematic approach to developing sustainable development indicators using special metrics based on the SDGs, as well as an integrated approach to these indicators.

The article analyses the progress made in achieving the SDGs at the global level, focusing on SDGs 16 and 17. A quantitative assessment of Russia's performance in these SDGs based on national data is conducted, using two methodologies: the UN approach and the approach proposed by D. Sachs and colleagues, with the advantages and disadvantages of each highlighted in the study. Based on Rosstat`s UN indicators, adjusted for data availability in BRICS countries, the study provides a comparative assessment of the progress of BRICS nations in achieving SDGs 16 and 17. Furthermore, the authors conduct a more in-depth comparative evaluation of BRICS countries by expanding the assessment framework with indicators from the Sachs methodology. Finally, the average achievement level of institutional goals by BRICS countries is calculated.

The results revealed moderate and minimal progress, respectively, in Russia’s attainment of SDGs 16 and 17, reflecting the impact of sanctions and the overall global instability. The comparative evaluation of BRICS countries' progress on SDGs 16 and 17, using the UN and Sachs methodologies, yielded comparable yet slightly different results. Overall, Brazil, India, Russia, and China demonstrate approximately the same level of achievement of institutional SDGs, with South Africa showing the lowest scores.

This article was submitted 09.12.2024

The study was conducted under the state assignment of Lomonosov Moscow State University (theme No. 122041800064–6 “Ecological and economic problems of nature conservation and environmental Russia”)