SDG Resource centre 2025 Special Collections
year in review
Across RELX we focus on our unique contributions as a business where we make a positive impact through our knowledge, resources and skills, including universal, sustainable access to information. Universal access to information means that everyone has the right to seek, receive and impart information which is a cornerstone of healthy and inclusive knowledge societies.
Throughout the year, and with the support of our colleagues from Elsevier, the RELX SDG Resource Centre curates monthly Special Collections to mark key UN observation days and events.
In this round up of 2025, we share the Special Collections published throughout the year, featuring more than 900 research articles and book chapters made freely available to advance knowledge and accelerate the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
2025 HIGHLIGHTS
11
Special Issues published in 2025
900+
Research articles and book chapters included in 2025 Special Issues
8TH MARCH
International Women's Day
Marked annually on March 8th, International Women's Day (IWD) is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Each year, this day serves as a powerful reminder of the progress made towards gender equality and highlights the work that still needs to be done.
According to data from the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158 - roughly five generations from now - to reach full gender parity. The campaign theme for International Women's Day 2025 was #AccelerateAction calling for swift steps to achieve gender equality.
To mark the event, the International Women's Day Special Collection featured journal articles and book chapters to advance knowledge and understanding of issues relating to SDG 5: Gender Equality. Topics explored include climate change and its impact on women, women's leadership and innovation for health, gender equity in sports medicine and much more.
21ST MARCH
World Water Day
Recognising the essential role of glaciers, specifically melt water, for drinking water, agriculture, industry, clean energy production and healthy ecosystems, the theme of World Water Day 2025 was Glacier Preservation.
The World Water Day Special Collection features articles from Elsevier's Polar Science journal such as Ice thickness inversion assessment: A comparison study for Waldemarbreen and Irenebreen glaciers, Svalbard in addition to latest research and insights on subjects sucha as water scarcity, wastewater treatment and water technology.
22ND APRIL
Earth Day
Earth Day is an annual, global movement to raise awareness and promote environmental protection. The theme for Earth Day 2025 was OUR POWER, OUR PLANET, emphasising the collective power of individuals, communities and governments to drive renewable energy adoption, combat climate change, and protect the environment through sustainable choices.
The Special Collection features more than eighty research articles and book chapters covering topics such as the effects of plastics and microplastics on marine ecosystems and climate-smart siting for renewable energy expansion.
17TH MAY
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day
Digital technologies have the power to accelerate progress - yet that potential remains out of reach for many ,and in partcular for women and girls. Of the 2.6 billion people still unconnected, the majority are women and girls. Bridging this divide is essential to unlocking new pathways for economic growth, innovation and sustainable development.
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2025 highlighted the need to advance digital gender equality.
The World Telecommunication and Information Society Day special issue explores subjects such as Big Data in healthcare from a sex and gender perspective.
3RD JUNE
RELX SDG Inspiration Day: The Future of Philanthropy
More than 800 people from over 75 countries came together virtually on 3rd June 2025 for the eleventh edition of the RELX SDG Inspiration Day: The Future of Philanthropy: Stepping up for the SDGs" The annual online event brings together thought leaders, corporate representatives, students, investors, governments, and NGOs to explore pressing issues, gain practical insight, and inspire action on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This year's event centered on a vital question: Can philanthropy bridge the $4 trillion funding gap needed to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030? To mark this occasion, Elsevier curated a free-to-access Special Collection featuring the latest research articles and book chapters on this important topic.
11TH JULY
World Population Day
Established by the United Nations Development Programme in 1989 and inspired by the global milestone of Five Billion Day on July 11, 1987, World Population Day highlights critical issues relating to population and sustainable development. To raise awareness of this important topic, Elsevier curated the World Population Day Special Collection.
9TH AUGUST
International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
There are an estimated 476 million Indigenous Peoples in the world living across 90 countries. They make up less than 6 per cent of the world's population, but account for at least 15 per cent of the poorest and they speak an overwhelming majority of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages and represent 5,000 different cultures.
In order to raise awareness of the needs of these population groups, every 9 August commemorates the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, chosen in recognition of the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations held in Geneva in 1982.
The Special Collection features more than 100 of the latest research articles and book chapters relating to the challenges faced and the rights of Indigenous Peoples including Water is more than a resource: Indigenous Peoples and the right to water and Examining structural racism as the fundamental cause of health inequities among the Indigenous Māori, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Island peoples in the U.S. and Aotearoa New Zealand: Perspectives from key informant community leaders.
21ST SEPTEMBER
World Alzheimer's Day
World Alzheimer's Day, observed every year on September 21st, is an international campaign to raise awareness and challenge the stigma surrounding Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. With over 50 million people worldwide living with dementia and millions more being diagnosed every year, it is crucial to improve public understanding and provide support for those affected. In this article, we will discuss the significance of World Alzheimer's Day and share ways you can get involved to make a difference.
The World Alzheimer's Day Special Collection features the latest Alzheimer's and dementia related research such as Artificial intelligence in drug development for delirium and Alzheimer's disease and Lifestyle factors and plasma biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease: A narrative review.
16TH OCTOBER
World Food Day
Celebrated annually on October 16, World Food Day is a key global event focused on raising awareness about food security and hunger. Established by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1979, this day highlights the ongoing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, and the need for sustainable food systems. World Food Day engages governments, communities, and organizations to take action towards ending hunger and achieving food security for all. This year's theme, “Hand in hand for better food and a better future!”, calls for global solidarity in building a more sustainable and equitable food system for all.
The Special Collection features more than 100 of the latest research articles and book chapters exploring topics such as Framing messages for promoting sustainable food choices and Are healthier diets more sustainable?
NOVEMBER
UN Climate Event COP30
In November, world leaders, scientists, non-governmental organizations, and civil society leaders gathered in Belém, Brazil the 30th United Nations Conference of the Parties or COP30. The conference focused on strengthening implementation of the Paris Agreement, accelerating emissions reductions, and scaling finance and cooperation to support climate resilience and sustainable development.
I’m not saying we’re winning the climate fight. But we are undeniably still in it, and we are fighting back. Here in Belem, nations chose solidarity, science, and economic common sense.”
Insights provided by Lexis+ UK Practical Guidance, LexisNexis Legal and ProfessionalLexisNexis offers an overview of the key outcomes of the global climate summit and in this anaylsis piece by Estelle Dehon KC, Barrister, Cornerstone Barristers, seven key insights are explored.
3RD DECEMBER
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
An estimated 1.3 billion people around the world live with a significant disability - that’s 1 in 6 of us.
Each year on 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) highlights the importance of advancing the rights, well-being and full inclusion of persons with disabilities in every aspect of society. The 2025 theme is Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.
The Special Collection features articles such as Realizing the right to education for all: Approaches to removing barriers based on gender, disability, and socioeconomic status in 193 countries and Exploring employers’ beliefs, reactions, and knowledge regarding people who stutter.
