Implementing Water-Energy-Land-Food-Climate Nexus Approach to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in Greece: Indicators and Policy Recommendations

Abstract

In 2015 the updated Agenda 2030, outlining the new priorities towards future sustainability, was published by the United Nations reflecting the general directions towards a fairer and more sustainable pattern of socio-economic development. The specialisation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and indicators into local contexts constitutes a basic prerequisite as particular characteristics, needs and peculiarities should be considered. This paper focuses on the exploration of local-oriented indicators and policy recommendations that have the potential to boost the successful implementation of SDGs in Greece. A nexus approach is adopted underlining the need to analyse complexities, motivate systemic thinking and develop integrated policies targeting at the sustainable and efficient use of resources. It also highlights the need for designing local-specific indicators and policy initiatives, encapsulating particular characteristics and conditions and boosting the advancement of SDGs. Such an approach has the potential to be implemented not only at national but also at an operational level in local scale (e.g., River Basin Scale). The outcomes indicate that emphasis should be given on smart water management and precision agriculture, extensive use of technologies capturing Greenhouse Gases (GHGs), dynamic penetration of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in gross final energy production/consumption and protection of terrestrial ecosystems.