Summary

An empirical analysis from examining and comparing web search results related to ‘sustainable development’ in Ukraine and worldwide, from 2004 to 2021, reveals internet users globally possess a higher understanding of what sustainable development entails and are actively seeking information about specific goals associated with the concept, rather than meaning.

Key messages

While examining global search trends for the query “sustainable development,” distinct patterns emerge compared to the Ukrainian search data:

• While search indicators in Ukraine remained relatively stable over time, the global search trends indicate a gradual increase in interest over the past five years.
• The search patterns of internet users worldwide differ from those in Ukraine. Ukrainian search predominantly focuses on definition of sustainable development (“what is..”). This indicates that internet users globally possess a higher understanding of what sustainable development entails and are actively seeking information about specific goals associated with the concept, rather than meaning.
• A comparison of the search dynamics for “sustainable development” in the legislative and governmental categories in Ukraine (Table 2) and worldwide (Table 4) reveals an alarmingly low and inactive state of searches within the legal and legislative sphere in Ukraine.
• There is currently no universally agreed-upon definition of “sustainable development” and “environmental sustainability” in Ukrainian legislation and practice.       

Conclusion

The analysis of these findings, alongside a comparison of search queries in the Google Trends application regarding sustainable development in Ukraine and worldwide emphasizes the overall low level of awareness among the Ukrainian society regarding this topic. This underscores the need to revise narratives and implement transformative learning approaches in the field of sustainable development. Education, in its broader sense, plays a crucial role in expanding understanding of contemporary social issues and developing and implementing effective solutions.

Citation