The Development of a Transformative System in Croatia as a Precondition for Meeting Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

Sustainable development goals (SDGs) represent a very ambitious plan and program for the development of human societies. The warning issued in 2018 by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on the necessity to reduce CO2 emissions by 45% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, shows that there is a limited time period to implement these goals. This paper examines Croatia’s readiness to implement SDGs. Our main hypothesis is that Croatia is not ready as the implementation of SDGs would require a number of transformative changes at all levels and in all segments of Croatian society. The main aim of this paper is to encourage discussion and activities directed toward the promotion of forms and culture of cooperation as a critical precondition for the implementation of SDGs in Croatia. The paper relies on a conceptual analysis from diverse scientific areas, with the emphasis on articles that describe the so-called “Nordic model” as well as the specific situation in Croatia. We tried to determine the underlying causes to existing problems by relying on systematic thinking tools in the interpretation of the results. The research confirmed our initial hypothesis that Croatia is not yet ready for the implementation of SDGs. Preliminary assessment of the situation in Croatia revealed the absence of a commonly accepted vision of society as well as the lack of prosocial behavior in all segments and at all levels of the society.