Aspects of developing an atlas information system for sustainable development in the BRICS countries

DOI: 10.35595/2414-9179-2025-1-31-5-25

View or download the article (Rus)

About the Authors

Vladimir S. Tikunov

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography,
1, Leninskie Gory, Moscow, 119991, Russia,
E-mail: vstikunov@yandex.ru

Sergey N. Bobylev

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Economics,
1s46, Leninskie Gory, Moscow, 119991, Russia,
E-mail: snbobylev@yandex.ru

Sofya V. Solovyeva

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Economics,
1s46, Leninskie Gory, Moscow, 119991, Russia,
E-mail: solovyevasv@gmail.com

Olga I. Markova

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography,
1, Leninskie Gory, Moscow, 119991, Russia,
E-mail: solntsevaolga1401@gmail.com

Abstract

The BRICS countries, which include the Russian Federation, currently have great prospects for intensive sustainable development. The ten countries that make up the community are located on different continents of the globe, and there are a number of other countries that may join BRICS in the future, currently being observers. There are prospects for creating a global-level atlas information system that would store a variety of data on the development of these countries. It is very important to evaluate sustainable development indicators over time. A variety of approaches to the development of sustainable development indicators have developed worldwide. There are also studies on sustainability indicators for BRICS countries. This article proposes an approach based on the identification of key (basic) indicators, which is often used in the world, for states under study (a system of indicators of sustainable development based on special indicators and the identification of key integral indicators). The need to identify key indicators is linked to an attempt to identify priority indicators of sustainable development that would be relevant to the main development problems of the BRICS countries, which are quite diverse in terms of socio-economic level, often with different social, economic and environmental agendas. Approach to the selection and justification of key indicators allows us to overcome, to a certain extent, the multi-vector nature of development measurement, which makes it difficult to identify priorities. With several dozen indicators available, it is difficult to determine the allocation of resources and funds to priority indicators, the achievement of which will enable the BRICS countries to solve important problems. The tables of indicators (which often differ greatly from country to country) that could be compiled are supplemented by a series of infographics.

Keywords

sustainable development, BRICS countries, atlas information mapping, key indicators, socio-economic indicators and socio-ecological indicators

References

  1. Bazhenova E.A. Characteristics of Social Tension using an Atlas Information System. Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seriya 5, Geografiya (Moscow University Bulletin. Series 5. Geography, 2008. No. 4. P. 59–63 (in Russian).
  2. Bobylev S.N., Zubarevich N.V., Solovyeva S.V. Challenges of the Crisis: How to Measure the Sustainability of Development? Voprosy Ekonomiki (Economic Issues), 2015. No. 1. P. 147–160 (in Russian). DOI: 10.32609/0042-8736-2015-1-147-160.
  3. Ecological Atlas of Russia. Moscow: Feoria, 2017. 509 p. (in Russian).
  4. Grigoryev L., Morozkina A. Different Economies, Similar Problem. Russia in Global Affairs, 2013. No. 2. P. 26–39. Web resource: https://eng.globalaffairs.ru/articles/different-economies-similar-problems/ (accessed 28.04.2025).
  5. Hurni L. Atlas Information Systems. Encyclopedia of GIS. Cham: Springer, 2017. P. 85–92. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-17885-1_847.
  6. Kunte A., Hamilton K., Dixon J., Clemens M. Estimating National Wealth: Methodology and Results. The World Bank: Environmental Economics Series, 1998. 44 p.
  7. Lafortune G., Fuller G., Moreno J., Schmidt-Traub G., Kroll C. SDG Index and Dashboards Detailed Methodological paper. Paris: Bertelsmann Stiftung and Sustainable Development Solutions Network, 2018. 56 p. Web resource: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sdsna/2018GlobalIndex/master/2018GlobalIndexMethodology.pdf (accessed 25.04.2025).
  8. Long Zh., Qiyue Zh., Haijie Y., Ming Zh., Baozhi Ch. Decoding Greater BRICS Cooperation: A Non-Western Path to a Shared Development Community. SIIS Report. Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, 2025. 32 p. Web resource: https://www.siis.org.cn/updates/cms/cms/202503/12165827ixcc.pdf (accessed 13.02.2025).
  9. Markova O.I., Tikunov V.S. Atlas Information Systems: Design, Creation, and Use. Geography and Natural Resources, 2024. V. 45. No. 5-1. P. S24–S29. DOI: 10.1134/S1875372824700446.
  10. O’Neill J. Building Better Global Economic BRICs. London: Goldman Sachs Economic Research Group, 2001. P. 1–16.
  11. O’Neill J. The Growth Map. Economic Opportunity in the BRICs and Beyond. Translated from English by M. Sutormin. Moscow: Alpina Business Books, Mann, Ivanov and Ferber, 2013. 256 p. (in Russian).
  12. Pearce D.W., Markandya A., Barbier E.R. Blueprint for a Green Economy. London: Earthscan Publications Ltd, 1989. 208 p.
  13. Sachs J.D., Lafortune G., Fuller G., Iablonovski G. Financing Sustainable Development to 2030 and Mid-Century. Sustainable Development Report 2025. Ireland, Dublin: Dublin University Press, 2025. 480 p. Web resource: https://dashboards.sdgindex.org (accessed 11.05.2025).
  14. Sakharov A.G., Dorokhina K.M. Sustainable Development Index of BRICS Countries: Results. International Organisations Research Journal, 2023. V. 18. No. 1. P. 75–106 (in Russian). DOI: 10.17323/1996-7845-2023-01-03.
  15. Sen A. The Ends and Means of Sustainability. Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, 2013. V. 14. No. 1. P. 6–20. DOI: 10.1080/19452829.2012.747492.
  16. Stiglitz D., Sen A., Fitoussi J.P. Mispricing Our Lives: Why GDP Doesn’t Make Sense? Report of the Commission on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress. Moscow: Gaidar Institute Press, 2016. 216 p. (in Russian).
  17. Tikunov V.S., Panin A.N., Gaidukov V.R. Atlas Information System for Producing Integral Indices of the Socio-Economic Development of Territories. Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seriya 5, Geografiya (Moscow University Bulletin. Series 5. Geography), 2023. No. 4. P. 66–74 (in Russian). DOI: 10.55959/MSU0579-9414.5.78.4.6.
  18. Yablokov V.M., Tikunov V.S. Atlas Information Systems for Sustainable Development of Territories. InterCarto. InterGIS. Proceedings of the International Conference. Moscow: Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography, 2016. V. 22. Part 1. P. 13–33 (in Russian). DOI: 10.24057/2414-9179-2016-1-22-13-33.

For citation: Tikunov V.S., Bobylev S.N., Solovyeva S.V., Markova O.I. Aspects of developing an atlas information system for sustainable development in the BRICS countries. InterCarto. InterGIS. Moscow: MSU, Faculty of Geography, 2025. V. 31. Part 1. P. 5–25. DOI: 10.35595/2414-9179-2025-1-31-5-25 (in Russian)