Goal conflicts and synergies between climate change and the SDGs: A literature review

A. Dzebo, Zoha Shawoo, J. Wilk, Gabriela Iacobuta, K. Wahome, R Hägele, M. Chan, C. Muhazo, Björn-Ola Linnér, S. Valentini

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperAcademic

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to review the relevant literature on goal conflicts and synergies between Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement, focusing on policy coherence. It aims to connect various perspectives of policy coherence by analysing the established literature on interlinkages between climate change and sustainable development, to draw informed conclusions on the nature and dynamics of coherence (or lack thereof) between the two agendas. Findings are presented based on an analysis of 70 papers, including a combination of journal articles, book chapters and policy reports. Drawing on work by the OECD, the analytical approach focuses on four dimensions: objectives, actors, processes and outcomes. The multidimensionality of policy coherence emphasises a maximisation of synergies and an avoidance of conflicts between potentially competing objectives and goals to realise sustainable development at large. It also calls for the need to coordinate the efforts by a large number of actors, at multiple levels of governance, to ensure that processes of coordination are legitimate and that the outcomes are effective. The analysis explores whether and how goal conflicts and policy incoherence between climate and other sustainability goals hamper their realisation at different scales and explores governance options for implementing synergies in different contexts. Overall, findings suggest that: synergies and conflicts emerge across social, economic and environmental goals and manifest differently at national and local scales; almost all goal interactions have repercussions around poverty and inequality; and it is crucial to consider why incoherence may be persisting to begin with.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 2020
EventInternational SDG Research Symposium Global Goals 2020 -
Duration: 9 Jun 202011 Jun 2020

Conference

ConferenceInternational SDG Research Symposium Global Goals 2020
Period9/06/2011/06/20

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