Sustainable development goal performances in top three GDP leading industrial subsectors

This study explores the extent of support for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Indonesia’s three largest contributors to Gross Domestic Product: food and beverage, coal and petroleum refining, and chemical and pharmaceutical sub-sectors. We conducted content analysis by developing a scoring assessment (0 to 8) to evaluate the level of implementation of targets, strategies, and achievements to support SDGs (Goal 1 to 17). Data from 415 published reports (including 300 annual reports, 95 sustainability reports, and 20 combined reports from 2017 to 2022) were selected by saturated sample approach for the analysis. The results showed that the support for SDGs by the three sub-sectors was still low-density, with only SDG 3 receiving medium-density support in the chemical and pharmaceutical sub-sectors. The food and beverage sub-sector support SDGs 3 and 12, but with insignificant support for SDG 2, while the coal and refining sub-sector oil and gas has not yet focused on SDGs 6, 12, 14, and 15. Findings from subsector comparisons show no significant differences in 2017, but reveal consistent and statistically significant disparities from 2018 to 2020, indicating a clear divergence in disclosure performance over time. Notably, while disclosure levels from 2017 to 2021 differ significantly, the comparison between 2021 and 2022 shows no significant variation, suggesting a stabilization in disclosure practices during the most recent period. The top three GDP contributing sub-sectors need to increase their support towards achieving the SDGs to promote sustainable economic growth. Suggestions for developing policies to promote SDGs are also critical.