Cross-Scale Water and Land Impacts of Local Climate and Energy Policy—A Local Swedish Analysis of Selected SDG Interactions

Rebecka Engström,Vivek Ramaswamy,Morgan Bazilian,Holger Rogner,Mark Howells,Georgia Destouni

doi:10.3390/su11071847

Abstract

This paper analyses how local energy and climate actions can affect the use of water and land resources locally, nationally and globally. Each of these resource systems is linked to different Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); we also explore related SDG interactions. A municipality in Sweden with the ambition of phasing out fossil fuels by year 2030 is used as illustrative case example. The local energy system is modelled in detail and indirect water and land requirements are quantified for three stylised decarbonisation scenarios of pathways to meeting climate and energy requirements (related to SDG13 and SDG7, respectively). Total local, national and global implications are addressed for the use of water and land resources, which relate to SDG6 for water, and SDG2 and SDG15 for land use. We find that the magnitude and location of water and land impacts are largely pathway-dependent. Some scenarios of low carbon energy may impede progress on SDG15, while others may compromise SDG6. Data for the studied resource uses are incoherently reported and have important gaps. As a consequence, the study results are indicative and subject to uncertainty. Still, they highlight the need to recognise that resource use changes targeting one SDG in one locality have local and non-local impacts that may compromise progress other SDGs locally and/or elsewhere in the world.

Highlights

Interrelations between the 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) [1] are increasingly acknowledged [2,3,4]
One example of this which is proposed for analysis of such interactions is offered by the growing number of cities developing and implementing action plans to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to transform their local energy system [7,8]
While such local actions to curb global emission levels [9,10] support progress on SDG13 on “climate action” and SDG7 on “affordable and clean energy”, they contribute to SDG11 on “sustainable cities and communities”

Summary

Introduction

Interrelations between the 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) [1] are increasingly acknowledged [2,3,4]. Each SDG is not isolated from the others and actions to meet one goal may accelerate or impede progress on others [5,6] One example of this which is proposed for analysis of such interactions is offered by the growing number of cities developing and implementing action plans to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to transform their local energy system [7,8]. While such local actions to curb global emission levels [9,10] support progress on SDG13 on “climate action” and SDG7 on “affordable and clean energy”, they contribute to SDG11 on “sustainable cities and communities”. Such indirect impacts may occur both within and beyond local jurisdictional boundaries [12] with high or low visibility to local policy-makers [13]

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Discussion

Conclusion