The 2025 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Action and Awareness Week is celebrated from March 3-7. To mark this important occasion, I would like to spotlight some recent fascinating Behind the Paper stories on SDG-related topics from our Communities, along with introductions to various events to help our Communities’ members navigate towards topics that support sustainable development goals.  

What are the SDGs? 

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are a call for action from all United Nations member countries to promote prosperity while protecting our planet. They recognize that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and address a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities while tackling climate change and environmental protection. Springer Nature supports these 17 goals with a dedicated SDG Programme that 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 these goals.  

What is SDG Action & Awareness Week? 

The purpose of SDG Action and Awareness Week is to promote awareness of the SDGs among students, faculty, and staff in higher education and inspire them to take action in furtherance of the goals on their campuses and in their local community. Participants are invited to plan and host a virtual SDG-focused event for the UGC global calendar, attend an event, or plan events on their own campuses. Find more information here.  

Behind the Paper stories and research helping to advance the SDGs 

Environmental governance for mitigating human displacement due to weather-related disasters 

@Sisi Meng 

A ‘Behind the Paper’ blog post following publication in Communications Earth & Environment discusses the critical role of environmental governance in mitigating disaster-induced displacement. The author highlights the importance of governance, economic, and social readiness in reducing displacement risks, especially in vulnerable regions. Effective governance enhances adaptability and resilience, crucial for sustainable development and climate change adaptation. Read more here.   

Plastic in Our Plates: The Environmental Impact of Food Packaging 

@Moses Asamoah and @Jim Wright 

In a recent blog post discussing a publication in Scientific Reports, the author explores how food choices impact plastic waste. The post reveals that processed foods are more likely to come in plastic packaging, especially in urban markets. Effective waste management strategies, including better regulations and consumer habits, are crucial for reducing plastic pollution. Dive into the full blog here. 

Overcoming Barriers to Resilient Urban Forests 

@Manuel Esperon-Rodriguez , @Rachael Gallagher and @Mark G Tjoelker 

A recent blog post based on a publication in Nature Cities explores the challenges and opportunities for creating resilient and sustainable urban forests. It highlights the importance of diverse species, adequate tree supply, proper maintenance, and community involvement in ensuring the long-term health of urban forests. Effective strategies and emerging technologies are crucial for overcoming these barriers and promoting sustainable urban development. Find out more here. 

Join upcoming live SDG Events or watch recordings 

Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices for Improving Maternal and Neonatal Health 

@Vicky Brewis 

Time: 19th of March 2025 at 12 pm EDT/ 4 pm GMT/ 5 pm CET 

This webinar focuses on strategies for implementing evidence-based practices that will make a real difference to improving maternal and neonatal health, which ties in closely with SDG targets 3.1 and 3.2 in particular. Register now!  

Unconventional Water Resources 

@Sofia Costa

Time: 25th of March 2025 at 2:30 pm CET / 1:30 pm GMT / 8:30 am EST 

This SDG Talk will focus on SDG6, emphasizing the importance of clean water and sanitation for all. Experts will discuss Earth's water resources, the impact of climate change on water management, and innovative solutions like wastewater reuse. A case study from the Murcia region in Spain will also be presented. Participate in this informative session here! 

How does lived experience impact research focus?   

@Sena Evren 

This live event has ended but recording is available.  

This event is part of the Springer Nature SDG Talk series, focusing on research supporting the UN SDGs. It explores intersectionality, a concept coined by Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw, which examines how social categories like race, class, and gender create overlapping systems of discrimination or privilege. Read the full event post here to join this insightful discussion! 

If you enjoy reading these posts, remember to like and engage in the comments!  

To delve deeper, check out the ‘Behind the Paper' channel to discover the behind-the scenes of various research projects, and the ‘Events' channel to find insightful discussions. For more SDG-related content, explore the Sustainability Community and search for ‘SDGs’ across all the Communities here.  

Furthermore, on the Communities, blog posts relevant to one or more of the 17 SDGs are marked with a green ‘SDG’ badge, making it easier to identify and explore research that relates to each of the goals.  

If you have any questions, get in touch with the team at communities@springernature.com