To what extent do prevailing U.S. transportation infrastructure sustainability rating systems align with UNESCO SGDs: an empirical study

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Sustainable Development Goals (UNESCO SDGs) were adopted by UN General Assembly in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As a member state of UN, United States also adopted SDGs. However, the United States were not a member of UNESCO during 2017 to 2023. The United States has never submitted any voluntary national review so far, as what has been done by 115 countries across the world. Nevertheless, rather than claiming that the United States does not commit to the SDGs, there is more supporting evidence for the argument that the United States is working on the SDGs in its own way. For instance, even though no voluntary national review has been submitted, General Services Administration is developing a website "U.S. National Statistics for the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals", whose data are not less detailed than many review reports submitted to and archived by UNESCO. With regards to transportation – a major greenhouse gas (GHG) emission sector – the United States has voluntary sustainability rating systems, such as INVEST by Federal Highway Association (FHWA). The level of alignment between UNESCO SDGs and U.S. transportation infrastructure sustainability rating system has significant implications on the achievement of sustainable developments, considering the deciding roles of U.S. as a country and the central positions of transportation as a sector, in attaining environmental, social, and economic sustainability. This study, for the first time, comprehensively evaluates the level of alignment between the two systems via empirical content analysis and discusses the pressing needs along the road ahead.