Sustainability performance of countries in the context of the sustainability uncertainty index and ESG indicators: An integrated CRITIC-EDAS approach
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Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the sustainability performance of countries within a multidimensional framework, considering not only environmental and social outcomes but also the level of uncertainty related to sustainability policies. To this end, ESG-based Sustainability Uncertainty Index (SUI/ESGUI), per capita CO₂ emissions, Gini coefficient, renewable energy consumption (API), Environmental Performance Index (EPI), Sustainable Development Score (SDG), Human Development Index (HDI) and Rule of Law Index (WGI) data for 25 countries for the year 2023 were used. The criteria weights in the study were determined using CRITIC, an objective method based on the information content of the dataset; subsequently, the countries' relative sustainability performances were ranked using the EDAS method. Research findings reveal that the most decisive factors in distinguishing sustainability performance are the Rule of Law and Sustainability Uncertainty; Sweden leads with low uncertainty and high ESG performance, while Russia, China, and the US, which struggle with high emissions and policy uncertainty, are at the bottom of the list; This situation demonstrates that environmental improvements alone are not sufficient to achieve sustainable development goals; improving institutional quality and reducing policy uncertainty are also critical.
Keywords
Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the sustainability performance of countries within a multidimensional framework, considering not only environmental and social outcomes but also the level of uncertainty related to sustainability policies. To this end, ESG-based Sustainability Uncertainty Index (SUI/ESGUI), per capita CO₂ emissions, Gini coefficient, renewable energy consumption (API), Environmental Performance Index (EPI), Sustainable Development Score (SDG), Human Development Index (HDI) and Rule of Law Index (WGI) data for 25 countries for the year 2023 were used. The criteria weights in the study were determined using CRITIC, an objective method based on the information content of the dataset; subsequently, the countries' relative sustainability performances were ranked using the EDAS method. Research findings reveal that the most decisive factors in distinguishing sustainability performance are the Rule of Law and Sustainability Uncertainty; Sweden leads with low uncertainty and high ESG performance, while Russia, China, and the US, which struggle with high emissions and policy uncertainty, are at the bottom of the list; This situation demonstrates that environmental improvements alone are not sufficient to achieve sustainable development goals; improving institutional quality and reducing policy uncertainty are also critical.
