THE WEEK OF JULY 28, 2025 – AIP.ORG

Report on Challenges to U.S. Scientific Enterprise and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Recent developments across United States federal science agencies indicate significant challenges that directly impact the nation’s capacity to achieve key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This report details issues related to budgetary cuts, workforce reductions, institutional governance, and workplace safety, analyzing their implications for SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

Impact of Budgetary Reprogramming on National Laboratories and Sustainable Energy Goals

The Department of Energy (DOE) is facing workforce reductions at its national laboratories due to proposed budget cuts and the reprogramming of funds. These actions pose a direct threat to progress on sustainable energy and climate action.

Threats to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action)

The administration’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2025 includes severe cuts to renewable energy initiatives, undermining research critical for SDG 7.
Funding for solar initiatives is slated for an 87% reduction, from a congressionally enacted $318 million in FY2024 to a planned $42 million in FY2025.
Wind energy programs face a similar 78% cut.
This redirection of resources away from renewable energy research directly curtails efforts to combat climate change as outlined in SDG 13.

Implications for SDG 8 (Decent Work) and SDG 9 (Innovation)

Over 3,000 scientists and staff at national labs are at risk of layoffs, with more than 1,000 positions threatened at the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) alone.
These workforce reductions represent a significant loss of decent, high-skilled jobs, contrary to the principles of SDG 8.
The loss of scientific personnel weakens the nation’s scientific infrastructure and capacity for innovation, a core component of SDG 9.

Challenges to Institutional Integrity and Scientific Capacity at NSF and NASA

Employees at the National Science Foundation (NSF) and NASA have issued formal protests against policy changes that are eroding scientific capacity and institutional strength, impacting multiple SDGs.

Erosion of Decent Work and Innovation Capacity (SDG 8 & 9)

The NSF has lost one-third of its staff since the start of the Trump administration.
NASA has experienced the termination, resignation, or early retirement of thousands of civil servants, resulting in the loss of “irreplaceable knowledge.”
These staff reductions undermine SDG 8 by eliminating specialized jobs and threaten SDG 9 by diminishing the human capital required for scientific and technological innovation.

Concerns Regarding Institutional Governance and Funding (SDG 4, 5 & 16)

The White House is reportedly withholding $2.2 billion in congressionally appropriated funds from the NSF.
The administration plans to fire staff in the NSF’s Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM, a move that directly conflicts with goals for Quality Education (SDG 4) and Gender Equality (SDG 5).
NSF employees have filed an official whistleblower complaint, highlighting severe concerns about the agency’s governance and adherence to law, which are central tenets of SDG 16 (Strong Institutions).

Report on Workplace Safety in the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP)

A new report from the NSF on sexual assault and harassment (SA/SH) within the USAP reveals a workplace environment that is failing to meet standards for safety, equality, and decent work.

Failures in Promoting Gender Equality and Decent Work (SDG 5 & 8)

A 2024 survey found that 41% of USAP personnel had personally experienced sexual harassment or assault, and 69% had observed it.
These findings indicate a systemic failure to protect employees, particularly women, undermining SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
The prevalence of a “permissive environment for SA/SH” is fundamentally incompatible with the provision of safe and decent work as mandated by SDG 8.

Recommendations for Stronger Institutional Accountability (SDG 16)

The report recommends several actions to build stronger and more just institutional practices:

Install video monitoring in public spaces.
Improve training for supervisors and human resources personnel.
Establish “benchmark standards” for USAP contractors regarding harassment prevention and reporting.
Launch a media campaign to correct harmful attitudes and inform staff of reporting procedures.

Strategic Developments in Science Policy and Funding

Several other developments reflect ongoing challenges and strategic shifts in U.S. science and technology policy, with clear links to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Congressional Appropriations and Institutional Functioning (SDG 3, 9 & 16)

The Senate Appropriations Committee is advancing spending bills for the Department of Defense and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which are critical for SDG 9 (Innovation) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
However, a partisan divide between House and Senate proposals and limited time before the fiscal year deadline threaten the stable functioning of these institutions, a key concern under SDG 16.
Fourteen Republican senators have formally requested the “timely release of all FY25 NIH appropriations,” citing slow disbursement that hampers medical research (SDG 3).

Technology, Leadership, and International Partnerships (SDG 9, 16 & 17)

The administration’s AI Action Plan focuses on using AI to accelerate scientific research, aligning with SDG 9, but also includes ideologically driven directives.
Leadership transitions at NREL, Berkeley Lab, and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center will be critical for maintaining institutional stability and effectiveness (SDG 16).
A National Science Board report highlighted the rise of China’s science enterprise, underscoring the competitive and collaborative landscape relevant to SDG 9 and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Spain’s offer to host the Thirty Meter Telescope highlights the importance of international partnerships (SDG 17) for building large-scale scientific infrastructure (SDG 9).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article discusses issues that are directly and indirectly connected to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary SDGs addressed are:

SDG 5: Gender Equality – This is addressed in the section about the report on sexual assault and harassment in the U.S. Antarctic Program.
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The article highlights significant budget cuts to renewable energy research, specifically wind and solar initiatives.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – This goal is relevant due to the widespread layoffs and workforce reductions at various national science and research institutions.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The core theme of the article, focusing on budget cuts, workforce reductions, and funding issues for scientific research institutions, directly relates to this goal.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – The article touches upon issues of institutional accountability, transparency, whistleblower protection, and the “unlawful reprogramming” of funds.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

SDG 5: Gender Equality

Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. The article details a report on sexual assault and harassment (SA/SH) within the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP), highlighting a work environment where such violence occurs and is sometimes perceived as normal.

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The article reports on actions that undermine this target, specifically the massive budget cuts for wind and solar energy initiatives at the National Renewable Energy Lab, which are crucial for developing technologies to increase the share of renewables.
Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology. The proposed budget cuts represent a significant reduction in investment in clean energy technology and research, directly contradicting the aim of this target.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… The article describes a move away from this target, citing that national labs are “laying off ‘a significant number’ of employees,” with potential layoffs of “more than 3,000 scientists and staff.” It also notes that the “NSF has lost one-third of its staff” and “thousands of its [NASA’s] civil servants have been terminated, resigned, or retired early.”
Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers… The report on the U.S. Antarctic Program, which found that 41% of respondents had experienced sexual assault or harassment, indicates a failure to provide a safe and secure working environment. Furthermore, the mention of over 100 EPA employees being “placed on administrative leave” after signing a dissent letter suggests a threat to labor rights and protections for whistleblowers.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors… encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers… and public and private research and development spending. The article’s central theme is the undermining of this target. It details massive budget cuts for R&D (e.g., 87% for solar, 78% for wind), the laying off of thousands of scientists (a decrease in R&D workers), and the withholding of “$2.2 billion from NSF,” all of which directly harm scientific research and innovation.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. The article raises questions about institutional accountability, citing DOE’s “’unlawful reprogramming’ of funds” and the White House “withholding $2.2 billion from NSF” despite congressional appropriation. The dissent letters from employees at multiple agencies (NSF, NASA, EPA, NIH) suggest a perceived lack of accountability and transparency.
Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms… The retaliation against whistleblowers, where over 100 EPA employees who signed a dissent letter were “placed on administrative leave,” is a direct challenge to the protection of fundamental freedoms within institutions.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress (or lack thereof) towards these targets:

Indicators for SDG 5 (Target 5.2)

Proportion of people who have experienced sexual harassment: The article states that a 2024 survey found “41% [of USAP personnel] had experienced at least one such incident themselves.”
Prevalence of permissive attitudes towards sexual harassment: The survey found “43% of respondents said they agree that ‘sexual jokes and innuendos are a normal part of deployment within the USAP community’.”

Indicators for SDG 7 (Targets 7.2 & 7.a)

Public investment in clean energy R&D: The article provides specific figures indicating a drastic reduction in investment. It notes an “87% cut” for solar initiatives (from $318 million to $42 million) and a “78% cut” for wind energy initiatives.

Indicators for SDG 8 (Target 8.5)

Number of job losses in key sectors: The article mentions that “national lab officials are considering laying off more than 3,000 scientists and staff.”
Change in employment levels at specific institutions: It is reported that “NSF has lost one-third of its staff since the start of the Trump administration.”

Indicators for SDG 9 (Target 9.5)

Public expenditure on R&D: The article indicates a negative trend with the White House “withholding $2.2 billion from NSF” and implementing severe budget cuts for renewable energy research.
Number of researchers: The planned layoffs of “more than 3,000 scientists and staff” and the loss of thousands of civil servants at NASA who took “irreplaceable knowledge” with them serve as a direct negative indicator for the number of R&D workers.

Indicators for SDG 16 (Targets 16.6 & 16.10)

Incidents of institutional malpractice: The article points to DOE’s “’unlawful reprogramming’ of funds” as an indicator of an institution not acting in an accountable or transparent manner.
Number of attacks on or retaliation against journalists, trade unionists, and human rights advocates: The incident where over “100 signers [of a dissent letter] being placed on administrative leave” serves as an indicator of retaliation against employees exercising their freedom of expression.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs	Targets	Indicators
SDG 5: Gender Equality	5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls.	41% of USAP personnel experienced sexual assault or harassment. 43% of respondents agree that sexual jokes are a normal part of the USAP community.
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy	7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy. 7.a: Promote investment in clean energy technology.	An 87% budget cut ($318M to $42M) for solar initiatives. A 78% budget cut for wind energy initiatives.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all. 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments.	Potential layoffs of over 3,000 scientists and staff. NSF has lost one-third of its staff. High prevalence of sexual harassment in the USAP working environment (41% of personnel).
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure	9.5: Enhance scientific research and increase the number of R&D workers and spending.	Withholding of $2.2 billion in appropriated funds from NSF. Layoffs of thousands of scientists and staff with “irreplaceable knowledge.” Drastic cuts to R&D budgets for solar and wind energy.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions	16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions. 16.10: Protect fundamental freedoms.	“Unlawful reprogramming” of funds by the Department of Energy. Over 100 EPA employees placed on administrative leave for signing a dissent letter.

Source: aip.org