Patent Analytics for Mapping SDGs Interlinkages and Identifying Critical Technologies

Purpose: This study aims to systematically examine the role of technological innovation in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), identifying both general-purpose and goal-specific technologies that drive progress.Design/methodology/approach: Drawing on patent data from the PatentSight database (2015–2024), we construct an SDG–technology mapping matrix covering 100 technology categories across 13 SDGs. We develop and apply the Technology Contribution Index (TCI), which integrates coverage, patent volume, diversity, and contribution intensity. Additionally, cosine similarity is applied to capture interlinkages among SDGs.Findings: The results reveal marked heterogeneity in technological engagement across the SDGs. SDG 09 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 07 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 13 (Climate Action) dominate in portfolio size and form a tightly interconnected cluster, whereas socially oriented goals such as SDG 05 (Gender Equality) and SDG 01 (No Poverty) remain weakly supported by patents. Large-scale, general-purpose technologies (e.g., Advanced Manufacturing, Blockchain, Internet of Things) provide broad systemic support across multiple SDGs, while specialized technologies (e.g., Clean Cooking, Sex-Disaggregated Data Management) play indispensable roles in individual goals. These findings highlight the coexistence of systemic platforms and niche drivers in the global innovation ecosystem.Research limitations:Patent data may underrepresent non-technological contributions to socially oriented SDGs (e.g., equity, education, institutional reform), which rely more heavily on policy, cultural, or behavioral interventions.Practical implications: The TCI framework offers a tool for policymakers to prioritize investment in enabling technologies with broad spillover effects, while also promoting targeted support for niche innovations to address technology gaps in under-supported SDGs.Originality/value: By integrating patent analytics with the SDGs framework, this study introduces a novel quantitative approach—the TCI—for systematically identifying key enabling and goal-specific technologies. The findings enrich the literature on sustainable development and innovation policy, and provide actionable insights for aligning science, technology, and innovation (STI) strategies with the 2030 Agenda.