SCORE Index Unveiled: Tracking SDG Discourse in Indian Business Media

 In a recent development, the Sustainability Content Occurrence and Relevance Evaluation (SCORE) Index has been unveiled as an innovative tool to track and analyze public discourse on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Indian business media. By offering valuable insights into how sustainability issues are prioritized, the SCORE Index is set to reshape the understanding of media narratives around sustainable development in India. The SCORE Index was developed by the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development at Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon, in partnership with IndiaDataHub, as part of their shared commitment to advancing sustainability and thought leadership.

Dr. Sanghamitra Bhattacharya, Director of Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon’s Sustainability Centre remarked, “The SCORE Index serves as a critical resource for policymakers, journalists, and researchers, highlighting areas of neglect in SDG-related discourse and enabling more balanced, comprehensive coverage. With its publicly available data and methodology, the index encourages deeper engagement and further research, promoting a well-rounded understanding of sustainability challenges and opportunities.”

The SCORE Index measures the frequency of SDG mentions, identifies which goals receive the most attention, and explores the contexts driving these conversations. By providing a nuanced understanding of SDG-related media coverage, it highlights priorities and gaps, enabling a more informed and inclusive narrative around sustainable development.

Key Insights from the SCORE Index:

 Dynamic Coverage of SDGs:

Media focus on SDGs fluctuates significantly based on global and domestic events. For instance, the COP29 climate summit (November 18–23, 2024) triggered a surge in discussions on SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), showcasing the influence of high-profile events on media coverage. Conversely, COP28 saw relatively muted attention, linked to India’s decision not to pledge a renewable energy commitment.

SDG-Specific Trends:

SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13(Climate Action) dominated media attention during COP29, reflecting the prominence of energy and climate issues in global discussions. During a COP28 week in 2023, overall SCORE for SDG7 was at 21.85; It rose to 31.56 during a COP29 week in 2024. 

Similarly, SDG 13 SCORE of 8.85 more than tripled during both the COP 28 (30.08) and COP 29 (29.03) summits.

SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) received moderate attention, signaling increasing recognition of collaboration for sustainable outcomes. For SDG17 the overall SCORE was 13.49, rising slightly to 14.16 during the second COP28 week (11th to 16th December 2023) and reaching 16.06 during COP29, 2024.

SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) remained underrepresented, even during occasions like World Toilet Day, pointing to a critical gap in media narratives.

Media-Specific Observations:

Coverage trends varied across publications. Business Line achieved its peak SCORE during COP28, while The Economic Times reached its highest coverage during COP29.

Policy events such as the Union Budget announcement in July 2024 spurred heightened focus on SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), underscoring the link between economic policies and media narratives.

Despite its relevance, SDG 5 (Gender Equality) received limited attention during Women’s Day, highlighting competing priorities in media coverage.

By providing actionable insights, the SCORE Index aims to foster sustained and focused discussions around SDGs in India. It aspires to catalyze informed decision-making and inspire collaborative efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.