Seeking synergies: How can action on climate and the SDGs work together?

How can the world effectively address the climate emergency and the challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) simultaneously, in order to maximize their impact? We spoke with Luis Gomez Echeverri, co-lead of the Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergies convened by UN DESA and UNFCCC secretariat in May 2023, to shed light on this question.

How does climate action relate to the SDGs? 

“The relationship between climate action and the SDGs is absolutely critical. If we fail to address climate change, accomplishing all other SDGs will remain elusive. Climate change exerts a tremendous impact on marine and land ecosystems (SDGs 14 and 15), human health (SDG 3), food systems (SDG 2), water management (SDG 6), and sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), among other aspects. Conversely, efforts to make our communities and the world more livable by achieving the SDGs must also consider how they can contribute to mitigating climate change. Strengthening evidence on climate change and the SDGs synergies and trade-offs can help raise ambitions and accelerate progress on these deeply interconnected agendas.”

Could you provide examples of actions that aim to harness these synergies? 

“There are many inspiring examples of initiatives attempting to capitalize on these synergies. In China, for instance, efforts are being made to reduce the use of coal, which not only addresses air pollution and its detrimental impact on health but also contributes to meeting climate emissions targets. In Sweden, the greening of iron and steel production is not only reducing emissions but also generating jobs and fostering economic growth. In Colombia, the implementation of low emission buses in dedicated lanes has resulted in reduced travel times, costs, accidents, and emissions. In Rwanda, reforestation efforts support biodiversity conservation, climate action and provide rural communities with economic benefits like wood and fruit. The Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergies is conducting further research on these synergies and will release a report this September, which will inform both the SDG Summit and the Climate Ambition Summit.”

How will the upcoming Fourth UN Conference on Strengthening Synergies between the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda contribute to progress in the right direction? What outcomes can we anticipate? 

“By building upon the discussions and ideas shared during the Conference, we hope to highlight further evidence supporting the effectiveness of a synergistic approach. We seek to dismantle the institutional silos that currently separate climate action and sustainable development, despite their inherent interconnectedness. The Conference follows in the footsteps of three previous conferences, with the most recent one taking place in Tokyo in 2022. Together, these events have set the stage for breaking down the barriers between these areas of work and promoting collaboration for greater impact.

You can register for the Conference on 16 July by going to: https://forms.office.com/e/dgPQfZwvLx

Participants can join in person at UN Headquarters in New York, or also online. “