Nature Index 25 September 2021

Science cities 2021

Many leading science cities are active in research related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This Nature Index supplement showcases how they are supporting climate change and clean energy targets, protecting oceans, coastal communities and food security.

This Nature Index is editorially independent, produced with financial support from a third party. About this content.

Features and comment

Sustainable Development Goals research speaks to city strengths and priorities

Collaboration between coastal communities and sprawling metropolises helps the drive to meet UN targets.
- Bec Crew
Nature Index24 Sep 2021 Nature
Tracking 20 leading cities’ Sustainable Development Goals research

Local challenges help to explain why some goals are prioritized over others.

Nature Index24 Sep 2021 Nature
How cities are collaborating to help safeguard oceans

Despite missed deadlines in 2020 for key targets in marine conservation, momentum for these Sustainable Development Goals is growing.
- Michael Eisenstein
Nature Index24 Sep 2021 Nature
Rising tide of floating plastics spurs surge in research

Strong government policies and research insights are essential to deliver on a pledge to clean up the sea.
- Michael Eisenstein
Nature Index24 Sep 2021 Nature
Coral conservation strikes a balance

Fiji–Australia collaboration matches community needs with reef protection.
- Clare Watson
Nature Index24 Sep 2021 Nature
Uneven spread of research leaves poorer cities short of solutions

A concentration of knowledge and funding advances Sustainable Development Goals, but in the global south, it’s a different story.
- Xuemei Bai
Nature Index24 Sep 2021 Nature
Pursuit of better batteries underpins China’s lead in energy research

Safe and efficient storage for renewable energy is key to meeting sustainability targets.
- Bec Crew
Nature Index24 Sep 2021 Nature
How Belo Horizonte’s bid to tackle hunger inspired other cities

Commended by the United Nations, the Brazilian city’s crisis response linked all aspects of food security.
- Anita Makri
Nature Index24 Sep 2021 Nature
New York bids to level the playing field in a metropolis of inequality

Plans for a more equitable city are supported by huge regional research firepower.
- Anita Makri
Nature Index24 Sep 2021 Nature
A guide to the Nature Index

A description of the terminology and methodology used in this supplement, and a guide to the functionality that is available free online at natureindex.com.

Nature Index24 Sep 2021 Nature

Science cities 2021

Features and comment

Sustainable Development Goals research speaks to city strengths and priorities

Tracking 20 leading cities’ Sustainable Development Goals research

How cities are collaborating to help safeguard oceans

Rising tide of floating plastics spurs surge in research

Coral conservation strikes a balance

Uneven spread of research leaves poorer cities short of solutions

Pursuit of better batteries underpins China’s lead in energy research

How Belo Horizonte’s bid to tackle hunger inspired other cities

New York bids to level the playing field in a metropolis of inequality

A guide to the Nature Index

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