Strategic use of ecosystem services and co‐benefits for Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

AbstractEcosystem services' (ES) assessments can inform sustainability policies but often translate poorly into practical decision‐making due to their disconnection from local challenges. Problem framing is a crucial step in improving the operationalization of ecosystem studies. First, the study analyzes the challenges and opportunities for sustainability in three European outermost regions: the Canary Islands, French Guiana, and Reunion Island. Second, it proposes strategies to make use of ES assessments as a means to address these sustainability issues. We used a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis for strategic planning, extended with a PESTEL analysis, standing for Political, Economic, Socio‐cultural, Technological, Environmental, Legal, and Regulatory. Semi‐structured interviews (n = 38) were conducted to identify PESTEL factors facilitating or impeding sustainability in the case studies. Interviews were coded into PESTEL factors before being synthesized and reported into SWOT matrices. We suggest seven ESs implementation strategies addressing these challenges from these SWOT matrices. Finally, this paper highlights the potential contributions of ES‐based strategies to achieving multiple United Nations' 2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On average, the strategies are expected to affect the delivery of six ESs. The suggested strategies are expected to contribute to the achievement of SDGs 15 (Life on Land), 2 (Zero Hunger), 14 (Life Below Water), and 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). These results pinpoint the key factors to consider, through stakeholder consultation, when designing a practical ES study.