The sustainable development goals and 1.5°C climate change

Abstract

This article reviews how efforts towards the SDGs can make it easier or harder to accomplish the Paris Agreement recommendation of limiting the global surface average temperature (SAT) to 1.5°C until 2,100. The literature indicated that within target 1.5 (SDG 1, no poverty) of constructing infrastructure to support all vulnerable human settlements to adapt to climate change could result in large GHG emissions, in the long term, making it harder to limit global SAT to 1.5°C. In contrast, studies pointed out that target 2.4 (SDG 2, Zero hunger) to support sustainable agriculture enhance the food-energy-water nexus, making it easier to reach 1.5°C. Also, within target 11.b (SDG 11, Sustainable cities and communities), aiming to increase resource efficiency in cities can avoid GHG emissions. Lastly, education, related to indicator 12.8.1 (SDG 12, sustainable production and consumption), is highlighted as critical in empowering individuals towards climate change mitigation and adaptation practices. To date, few publications analysed the synergies or implications between the SDG, a landmark to achieve sustainable development, and Paris' 1.5°C scenarios, a landmark for tackling climate change. In contrast, the literature focus on how mitigation and adaptation to climate change affect sustainable development.