Abstract
One of the greatest achievements in the global negotiations of 2015 that delivered the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development or Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on climate change is that, for the first time, the linkages between climate and development were enshrined in each of the documents. This was done in recognition that climate change and development need to be addressed together in order not only to avoid harmful trade-offs and high costs, particularly for poorer countries, but also to exploit the benefits that come from strengthening these linkages. This review presents some of the latest data that argue for stronger linkages as well as the challenges of implementation which are not only politically and economically related but also include issues such as knowledge gaps, finance and governance. Finally, the review also presents a glimpse at the pathways that will be required to reach the ambitious global temperature targets of the Paris Agreement of less than 2°C above pre-industrial levels with efforts to limit temperature rise even further to 1.5°C. This provides the context for some conclusions and recommendations for policy-makers, including on methodologies for assessing linkages and leveraging them for greater benefit.This article is part of the theme issue ‘The Paris Agreement: understanding the physical and social challenges for a warming world of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels’.
Highlights
Two major achievements in global negotiations are likely to have a significant transformative effect on the global development agenda for decades to come
This review presents some of the latest data that argue for stronger linkages as well as the challenges of implementation which are politically and economically related and include issues such as knowledge gaps, finance and governance
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) constitute an agenda that seeks to balance the three dimensions of sustainable development—social, economic and environmental— as well as issues of governance and institutions [3]. This is in recognition of the fact that it is difficult, if not impossible, to achieve socio-economic gains if the environment, and threats such as climate change, are neglected; and that promoting synergies and mitigating or eliminating trade-offs among SDGs is essential for achieving this balance and for helping achieve the temperature targets of the Paris Agreement
Summary
Two major achievements in global negotiations are likely to have a significant transformative effect on the global development agenda for decades to come. The 17 SDGs constitute an agenda that seeks to balance the three dimensions of sustainable development—social, economic and environmental— as well as issues of governance and institutions [3] This is in recognition of the fact that it is difficult, if not impossible, to achieve socio-economic gains if the environment, and threats such as climate change, are neglected; and that promoting synergies and mitigating or eliminating trade-offs among SDGs is essential for achieving this balance and for helping achieve the temperature targets of the Paris Agreement. Institutions, policies, governance and finance will need to play key roles in support of these efforts Through their 17 global goals and 169 targets, the SDGs provide the most comprehensive and balanced global development agenda to date to help countries meet the immense current development challenges without compromising their chances to adequately address climate change [4]. Data and research need to be offered so that they can assess the implications of climate change and the types of action that can be taken in the short, medium and long term
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