Comparative Analysis of Alignments between SDG16 and the Other Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

SDG16 cuts through, affects and is affected by the other 16 SDGs. This study involved a number of steps; the first step was computing the degrees of compatibility/alignments of SDG16 targets as individual targets against the targets of the other 16 SDGs using a scoring system that ranged from -3 to +3. The next step in data treatment involved computing the means for each row in each table to get the compatibility scores between SDG16 targets and each goal and then we used the columns to compare the SDG16 with the targets of each of the other goals. The final steps involved computing the mean compatibility scores between the SDG16 goal and the goals of the other SDGs on one hand and those between the SDG16 targets and the other 16 SDGs on the other. The approach is based on the strategic management principle that objectives and targets are set in ways that their achievement help in the achievement of the aspirations of the goal. The study approach is new, and it has not been done before. The compatibility examination showed that the aspirations embedded in the development of SDG2 (Zero Hunger) targets and those of SDG16 were least aligned and do not effectively support each other. SDG16 and SDG5 (Gender equality) were the most aligned, suggesting that the achievement of the SDG16 targets go a long way in supporting the achievement of SDG5 targets. An approach like this can be used as stand alone or in conjunction with the often used qualitative methods and will be a very helpful tool during SDG or related reviews, as it is useful in identifying targets and goals with high mutual transfer benefits among themselves. The study concludes with some recommendations.