Localisation of links between sanitation and the Sustainable Development Goals to inform municipal policy in eThekwini Municipality, South Africa

Abstract

Significant strides have been made in eThekwini Municipality, Durban, towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6) but with 27% of households lacking access to basic sanitation in 2020, challenges remain. While there is global evidence of sanitation linking to all 17 SDGs, similar localised linkages between sanitation and the SDGs in the context of Durban have not yet been verified. Evidencing these linkages and related co-benefits across SDGs could galvanise efforts towards mutually achieving SDG6 and other SDGs by highlighting potential funding efficiencies across multiple benefiting sectors and providing data for longer-term cross-departmental collaboration.This study bridges a persistent gap between research and policy through a collaborative process facilitating the localisation of links between sanitation and SDGs to aid reporting needs and optimise resource use based on evidence of multiple benefits across SDGs. A structured evidence appraisal process identifies linkages between sanitation and all 17 SDGs, including 83 synergies, 49 risks and 4 trade-offs.Our review reveals that lack of adequate sanitation in public spaces has implications for poverty, inequality, informality and dignity. Despite supportive policies, there is a need to enhance participation in decision-making to develop more appropriate sanitation solutions and enhance community acceptance. Findings demonstrate how local policies on sanitation contribute to reducing inequality and poverty but to achieve synergistic outcomes requires addressing existing risk, e.g. in relation to differentiated provision of sanitation solutions or policies that are not always well targeted.There are further opportunities in eThekwini to promote circularity through wastewater reuse and using faecal sludge for energy and fertilizer production. A key consideration for eThekwini's Water and Sanitation unit is to avoid negative environmental impacts whilst developing solutions for areas that lack infrastructure. The research also identified data gaps, particularly between sanitation interventions and climate action and sanitation data for vulnerable groups.