Benchmarking and non-financial disclosure: the case of large Spanish local governments and the 2030 Agenda

Abstract

This study examines the disclosure level of Spanish municipalities regarding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by analyzing information from 102 municipalities’ official websites from 2016 to 2022. Using a 60-item SDG disclosure index, the results revealed an average SDG disclosure level of 37.22% across the entire period. However, the level of SDG disclosure increased from 34.06% in 2016 to 40.40% in 2022. Demographic factors, such as population size, density, and dependent population, emerged as key drivers of SDG disclosure. This study's findings demonstrate that SDG disclosure is essential for SDG benchmarking, allowing local governments to set policy benchmarks and prioritize sustainability targets. The paper advances the argument that disclosure serves as an accountability mechanism and a constitutive dimension of benchmarking, thereby influencing municipal governance and SDG implementation. From a theoretical standpoint, this study contributes to the field by conceptualizing the disclosure of the SDGs as a mediating practice that connects benchmarking and policymaking within the context of local governance