Exploring ESG Indicators and the Sustainable Development Goals: A Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Approach to Cause-and-Effect Analysis

Abstract

Corporate sustainability, measured by Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) indicators, faces challenges in aligning with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study identifies ESG indicators in the literature and evaluates their cause-and-effect relationships with the SDGs using a hybrid approach combining fuzzy DEMATEL and fuzzy cognitive maps (FCM). Our findings reveal that environmental indicators exert significant influence on the system and demonstrate strong causal relationships with multiple SDGs. By integrating these methodologies, the study provides a novel perspective on mapping corporate contributions to sustainable development. This hybrid approach provides a clearer understanding of how ESG indicators and SDGs are interconnected, offering actionable insights to help companies prioritize initiatives that support global sustainability goals. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the practical advantages of combining fuzzy DEMATEL and FCM over standalone methods, particularly in visualizing complex relationships and hierarchical influences. Future research could explore additional applications of this methodology and investigate private sector motivations for aligning with specific SDGs.