The application of the Geocybernetic Assessment Matrix to the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals

This paper applies a Geocybernetic Assessment Matrix (GAM) to evaluate the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The purpose of the GAM evaluation was to determine the potential strategic level and nature of sustainability outcomes of the SDGs and their targets. Specifically, to determine, from a geocybernetics perspective, the nature of the co-evolutionary relationship and pathway which the SDGs are attempting to foster sustainable development. The results indicate that the SDGs consist of complex paradigms which have 4 or all 5 fundamental paradigms present within them. This has consequently created goals and targets which overall have conflicting and contradictory visions and approaches within and between them in fostering sustainable development. Based on the results obtained, the paper proposes a fundamental new co-evolutionary strategy for each SDGs and provides the reasons for their implementation. The paper concludes by stating the imperative for a co-evolutionary strategy for the SDGs in the era of Anthropocene and anthropogenically induced global environmental change.