ABSTRACT Under the sustainable development goals (SDGs), all goals are interconnected and interdependent; therefore, assessing their attainment requires an understanding of their interrelationships. However, the literature lacks research on interconnectedness and high‐impact SDGs. Thus, this study explores the interconnectedness of SDGs, recognizing their mutual dependence for success by categorizing these SDGs into societal, environmental and economic sectors. A systemic impact (SI) index is developed to evaluate the significance of SDGs as prerequisites for achieving other SDG targets. The concept of systems thinking is utilized as a practical method to represent the interconnectedness and feedback of the actions of SDGs through causal loop diagrams (CLDs). SDGs are classified as systems structures that seek to accomplish an achievement or control a problem in a system. The findings suggested that SDGs 4 (quality education), 8 (decent work and economic growth), 10 (reduced inequalities) and 17 (partnerships for the goal) exhibit high SI, thereby serving as essential prerequisites for broader sustainable development objectives. The findings of this study offer valuable insights for policymakers and researchers by distinguishing high‐impact SDGs from the others, thereby highlighting the need to prioritize policy formulation and implementation focused on SDGs with high SI.
Kidwai et al. (Thu,) studied this question.