Clusters of municipalities in Santa Catarina in light of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

Nearly a decade after the establishment of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda, its implementation remains uneven, particularly at the local level, and is still partially unknown among public managers, institutions, and civil society, even within the state of Santa Catarina. In this context, the objective of this study was to group the municipalities of Santa Catarina through cluster analysis, based on their performance in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations. The analysis employed Ward’s hierarchical clustering method, resulting in the formation of six relatively homogeneous clusters. An examination of the most densely populated clusters revealed significant variation in municipal scores, which prompted a qualitative deepening focused on SDG 11-Sustainable Cities and Communities. The findings contribute to the identification of patterns and discrepancies in municipal performance, offering support for strategic decision-making, including investment planning and the formulation of more effective and targeted public policies aimed at sustainability. A key limitation lies in the analysis being restricted to only two clusters and the exclusive focus on SDG 11. Furthermore, the study highlights that the adoption of nationally standardized indicators does not always align with the realities of small municipalities, thereby compromising the accuracy of measurements. Although Santa Catarina demonstrates overall progress toward the 2030 Agenda goals, significant challenges remain regarding the adequacy of indicators to local contexts and the capacity of small municipalities to effectively measure and implement actions toward sustainable development.

Keywords: 2030 agenda. Sustainable Development Goals. SDG 11. cluster analysis. municipal development.