United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
1. Responding to the multiple crises, has the governing body of your organization taken any decisions or adopted any new strategies to enhance effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions and to reinforce the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and poverty eradication? (200-800 words)
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On September 30 the fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5) adopted a new Global Framework on Chemicals – For a planet free of harm from chemicals and waste in Bonn, Germany. The new framework, for a planet free of harm from chemicals and waste, is a successor of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), organized by UNEP.
The framework on Chemicals and Waste is a global comprehensive instrument addressing all aspects of chemicals and waste issues that will help achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It is dedicated to protecting people and the planet from harmful chemicals and waste, including by phasing out hazardous pesticides, and providing adequate and sustainable funding for financing for a toxic-free future. It brings together governments, public interest organizations, and industry representatives for collaborative negotiations, fostering involvement from environmental, health, and labor sectors.
The Global Framework applies to all chemicals and their products from cradle to grave, i.e. from manufacture and use to the end-of-life stage.
The Bonn Declaration, adopted in the ICCM5 High-level Segment by ministers, CEOs and heads of international organisations, stressed that chemicals management needs to be integrated into other policy areas (e.g. occupational health, agriculture, health) in order to implement the new framework.
The framework is based around 28 targets that aim to improve the sound management of chemicals and waste. Governments have committed to creating the regulatory environment to reduce chemical pollution and implement policies to promote safer alternatives by 2030. The framework calls for a phase out of highly hazardous pesticides in agriculture where the risks have not been managed and safer alternatives are available by 2035. It also has a target on strengthening links between the new instrument and the climate, biodiversity, human rights and health agendas.
In the framework, an integrated approach to financing was agreed, with private sector financing lining up with the targets of the agreement. A dedicated trust fund will be set up and managed by the UNEP.
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At its second session (INC-2) held in in Paris, France from 29 May to 2 June 2023, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, requested for the preparation of a Zero Draft of the international legally binding instrument called for by UNEA resolution 5/14, for consideration at its third session.
The zero draft was prepared and was subject to discussion during the third session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3) in Nairobi 13 - 19 November 2023.
The document is based on a comprehensive approach addressing the full life cycle of plastics, as called for UNEA resolution 5/14, and reflects the views expressed by Member States during the first session of the committee and in their written submissions.
2. In the past year, has your organization organized any intergovernmentally mandated conferences, forums or events that contributed to the achievement of the SDGs, or in the process of planning and organizing any such mandated events to be held next year?
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Event Name: |
15th Conference of Parties (COP 15) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity adopted |
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Event Dates: |
7-19 December 2022 |
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Event Location (City, Country): |
Montreal, Canada |
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Relevant SDGs: |
14, 15, 17 |
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Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s) |
15th Conference of Parties (COP 15) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).The GBF aims to halt and reverse nature loss sets out measures to protect biodiversity, ensure sustainable use, and promote fair and equitable benefit sharing. The GBF has four (4) overarching goals to be achieved by 2050 and twenty-three (23) targets for 2030. The implementation of the GBF will be guided and supported through a comprehensive package of decisions also adopted at COP 15. This package includes a monitoring framework for the GBF, an enhanced mechanism for planning, monitoring, reporting and reviewing implementation, the necessary financial resources for implementation, strategic frameworks for capacity development and technical and scientific cooperation, as well as an agreement on digital sequence information on genetic resources. In adopting the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, all Parties committed to setting national targets to implement it, while all other actors were invited to develop and communicate their own commitments. |
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Website (if applicable) |
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Event Name: |
The sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention (BC COP-16), the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention (RC COP-11) and the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention (SC COP-11) (TripleCOP) |
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Event Dates: |
1-12 May 2023 |
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Event Location (City, Country): |
Geneva, Switzerland |
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Relevant SDGs: |
3, 12, 14, 15, 17 |
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Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s) |
The Conferences of the Parties (COPs) adopted joint decisions on technical assistance and financial resources, including a new resource mobilization strategy that aims to raise the funding commensurate to the challenges that countries face. The COPs also advanced work on the illegal traffic and trade of hazardous chemicals and wastes. The meetings were attended by over 1,400 participants from 177 country Parties and 165 observer entities. A total of 54 decisions were adopted strengthening the sound management of chemicals and wastes for the protection of human health and the environment, including 28 decisions adopted by BC COP-16, 15 decisions by RC COP-11 and 27 decisions by SC COP-11. Among those, eight are joint to two or three of the conventions. Key outcomes were:
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Website (if applicable) |
https://www.brsmeas.org/2023COPs/Overview/tabid/9316/language/en-US/Def…; |
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Event Name: |
The second session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-2) |
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Event Dates: |
29 May to 2 June 2023 |
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Event Location (City, Country): |
Paris, France |
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Relevant SDGs: |
3, 12, 14 |
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Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s) |
The INC requested the Chair to prepare a zero draft of the agreement ahead of the next session.
In its decision, the INC1 requested the Secretariat to invite submissions from observers and Members on elements not discussed at INC-2, such as the principles and scope of the instrument, and any potential areas for intersessional work.
More than 1,700 participants in Paris - over 700 Member State delegates from 169 Member States and over 900 observers from NGOs – attended the session.
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Website (if applicable) |
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Event Name: |
The third session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-3) |
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Event Dates: |
13 - 19 November 2023 |
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Event Location (City, Country): |
Nairobi, Kenya |
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Relevant SDGs: |
3, 12, 14 |
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Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s) |
INC-3 members started negotiations on an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment on the basis of a Zero Draft text prepared by the Chair of the INC. INC-3 marked the mid-point of the journey toward a global treaty. It followed two earlier rounds of negotiations: INC-1, which took place in Punta del Este, Uruguay, in November 2022, and INC-2, which was held in Paris in June 2023. Two more INC sessions are planned for 2024. The third session was preceded by regional consultations on 12 November 2023. |
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Website (if applicable) |
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Event Name: |
International Day of Zero Waste |
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Event Dates: |
30 March 2023 |
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Event Location (City, Country): |
Global |
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Relevant SDGs: |
12 |
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Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s) |
Following the adoption of General Assembly resolution 77/161 on zero waste, UNEP, UN Habitat and partners organized more than 250 official events around the world to commemorate the International Day of Zero including: observances in Bangkok, Nairobi and New York; a conference in Geneva; a High-level event of the General Assembly to exchange experiences and success stories in solid waste management, culminating in the establishment of an Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste; and the launch of the report “2050 Electrical and Electronic Waste Outlook for West Asia” by UNEP and UNITAR. The report highlights that adopting circular economy approaches can reduce electronic and electrical equipment in the market by 33% and e-waste generation by 14%.
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Website (if applicable) |
3. In the past year, has your organization published or planned to publish any analytical work or guidance note or toolkits to guide and support the implementation of SDGs at national, regional and global levels? Please select up to three to highlight, especially those that address interlinkages among the SDGs.
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Resource Name |
Measuring Progress: Water-related ecosystems and the SDGs |
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Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) |
All SDGs |
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Publishing entity/entities |
UNEP |
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Target audience |
Governments, UN Agencies, General public |
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Description (max 150 words) |
The report provides information on progress on the 92 environment-related SDG indicators, analyzes interlinkages between water-related indicators and other economic and social indicators, and explores using big data and citizen science data to close the data gap.
The report finds that global data availability increased to 59% in 2022, up from 34% in 2018. 21 per cent of indicators saw negative or no change, and 41 per cent lack data. While only 38% of the environment-related indicators indicate improvement, this is an improvement from only 28% in 2020. |
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Language(s) |
English |
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Website (if applicable) |
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Resource Name |
Turning off the Tap: How the World can End Plastic Pollution and Create a Circular Economy
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Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) |
3, 12, 14 |
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Publishing entity/entities |
UNEP |
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Target audience |
Governments, UN Agencies, General public |
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Description (max 150 words) |
The report proposes a systems change to address the causes of plastic pollution, starting by reducing plastic use, redesigning the system, products and their packaging, and a market transformation towards circularity in plastics. This can be achieved by accelerating three key shifts – reorient and diversify, reuse, and recycle, – and actions to deal with the legacy of plastic pollution.
Reduction can be achieved by redesigning the way in which products are used in society.
Reuse requires transformation from a ‘throwaway economy’ to a ‘reuse society’.
Reorient and diversify requires shifting the market towards sustainable alternatives.
Where plastics are produced, they should be designed to be recyclable in the market where they are sold. Waste management and recycling markets need to become viable ventures. Only nine percent of plastics produced are mechanically recycled.
A systems change underpinned by regulatory instruments, will result in economic benefits and reduce damage to human health, the environment and the climate.
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Language(s) |
English |
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Website (if applicable) |
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Resource Name |
Bracing for Superbugs: strengthening environmental action in the One Health response to antimicrobial resistance |
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Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) |
1, 3, 8, 15 |
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Publishing entity/entities |
UNEP |
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Target audience |
Members States, UN Agencies, Researchers, General public |
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Description (max 150 words) |
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was directly and indirectly responsible for an estimated five million deaths annually in 2019. This could increase up to 10 million deaths by 2050. AMR also has the potential to shave US$ 3.4 trillion off global GDP annually and push 24 million more people into extreme poverty in the next decade.
The report provides evidence that the environment plays a key role in the development, transmission and spread of AMR. Prevention is at the core of the action and environment is a key part of the solution. The report aims to demystify and unpack the different, while interconnected, aspects of the environmental dimensions of AMR, offering a comprehensive overview of scientific findings on the subject. It provides actionable evidence of the importance of the environment in the development, transmission and spread of AMR, and it shows that environmental dimensions of AMR are multifaceted and the response rests on collaboration between sectors. A concerted systems approach such as “One Health,” which recognizes that the health of people, animals, plants and the environment are closely linked and interdependent, is the approach needed to tackle it. The report analyzes three economic sectors and their value chains that are key drivers of AMR development and spread in the environment: pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, agriculture and food, and healthcare, together with pollutants from poor sanitation, sewage and waste effluent in municipal systems. |
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Language(s) |
English |
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Website (if applicable) |
https://www.unep.org/resources/superbugs/environmental-action |
4. In connection with the 2023 SDG Summit, the United Nations development system announced 12 High-Impact Initiatives where transformative progress is possible despite challenging global circumstances. Please share if your organization is contributing to any of these High Impact Initiatives and how various actors are being rallied behind them to mobilize further leadership and investment to bring progress to scale.
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Digital Public Infrastructure (Scaling inclusive and open digital ecosystems for the SDGs)
UNEP is engaging in this initiative.
UNEP has identified six priorities for an action agenda within the Global Digital Compact that need to be addressed to accelerate environmental sustainability through digital transformation:
- Building a planetary dashboard of trusted environmental data for real time transparency and situational awareness.
- Harnessing digital tools to align global finance and capital markets to environmental sustainability goals.
- Measuring the sustainability performance and circularity of supply chains.
- Nudging and incentivizing sustainable consumption practices.
- Harnessing sustainable procurement of digital technologies and infrastructure to close the digital divide.
- Identification of best practices and standards in the greening of information and communication technologies.
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Energy Compacts (Scaling up ambition to deliver on SDG7)
- UNEP is engaged through its participation in UN-Energy.
- UNEP supports developing countries to improve energy efficiency and increase their use of renewable energy, as part of their efforts to achieve low-carbon and climate-resilient development pathways.
- UNEP’s energy efficiency portfolio focuses on the transport, building, lighting, district energy and appliances sectors. Together with its partners, UN Environment contributes to strengthening the business case for energy efficiency: (i) in developing countries and emerging economies - enabling them to reap economic, environmental and poverty alleviation benefits – as well as (ii) for the private sector through market transformation and enhanced business development opportunities.
- UNEP contributes to the energy efficiency goal of the Sustainable Energy for All Initiative (SEforAll). Through multi-stakeholder partnerships, it contributes to the SEforAll’s energy efficiency goal of doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency by 2030. UNEP co-leads four of SEforAll’s Energy Efficiency Accelerators through its projects on efficient lighting, appliances and equipment, transport, and district energy.
- UNEP supports the rapid uptake of renewables through several projects.
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Food Systems Transformation (Transforming food systems for a sustainable world without hunger)
UNEP is engaging in this initiative.
UNEP is a member of the United Nations Food Systems Coordination Hub. The Hub serves countries through systemic, country-driven, customized support in translating their commitments into effective actions to reach sustainable food systems by 2030, leveraging the wider UN system’s capacities.
To achieve this, the Hub acts as a catalyst and connector inside the UN system in relation to food systems transformations’ contribution to the 2030 Agenda. To accelerate food systems transformations, the Hub takes on an essential coordination role to bring together relevant UN agencies, coalitions, international financial institutions, the private sector and other actors of support to galvanize food systems knowledge and expertise in support of countries’ action.
UNEP participates in regional Task teams on food systems and is engaging in the stocktaking exercise in 2023.
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FutureGov (Building public sector capabilities for the future)
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Global Accelerator (The Global Accelerator on jobs and social protection for just transitions)
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Local2030 Coalition (Pushing key transitions and achieving the SDGs by 2030)
UNEP is engaging in this initiative.
Under the High Impact Initiative of the Local 2030 Coalition, deliverables will include:
Spotlight on practices, initiatives, and solutions to deliver and enhance localized actions, and lift the level of ambition on local responses to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
Establish and strengthen future oriented coalitions and commitments to accelerate tangible transitions to support and reach the furthest behind.
Mobilize and build the capacity and resources for the Local 2030 Coalition Hubs.
Channel greater SDG financing at the local level, for a multiplier effect on accelerating the localized implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
UNEP together with partners is supporting cities across the world in addressing environmental impacts and integrating the environment into their long-term strategic planning. UNEP focuses on buildings and infrastructure, transport, air pollution, waste and water management, biodiversity and ecosystems.
The emphasis is in particular on supporting developing countries to develop and implement policies; policies which support low-carbon, resource efficient and green growth as well as policies on mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
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Nature Driving Economic Transformation (Leveraging the power of biodiversity and nature to drive equitable economic progress)
UNEP is leading the Nature Driving Economic Transformation Initiative, in partnership with UNDP, FAO, UNDRR, UNICEF, WIPA and others. UNEP is providing technical assistance to Ministry of Environment to support their national process to develop a new national Bioeconomy Policy that cuts across 17 different ministries to ensure an environmentally, socially and economically just transformation. UNEP is also supporting Indonesia’s leadership to roll out a more ambitious Blue Economy plan, including driving similar work in the ASEAN region. UNEP is providing support to UN RC in Indonesia to review the UN portfolio and identify greater synergies to support ocean economy work. The initiative is working to identify 18 other countries to make similar commitments.
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Power of Data (Unlocking the data dividend for the SDGs)
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Spotlight Initiative (To eliminate violence against women and girls)
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The SDG Stimulus (Scaling up long-term affordable financing for the SDGs)
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Transforming4Trade (Paradigm shift to boost economic development)
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Transforming Education (Learning to build a better future for all)
5. In addition to the above, has your organization been part of any other initiatives or multi-stakeholder partnerships that enhance effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions and reinforce the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially in the areas of poverty eradication (SDG1)- Yes, food systems transformation (SDG2) - Yes, climate action (SDG13) - Yes, governance (SDG16) - Yes, partnerships (SDG17), which will go under in-depth review at the HLPF in 2024, or related to the Secretary-General’s proposals in Our Common Agenda?
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Initiative/Partnership Name |
The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) |
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Partners (please list all partners) |
All governments |
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Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) |
3, 14, 15, 17 |
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Member States benefiting from it |
All. Global initiative |
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Description (max 150 words) |
The First International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM1) on 6 February 2006 in Dubai adopted the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) as a policy framework to promote chemical safety around the world. SAICM was developed by a multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral Preparatory Committee and supports the achievement of the 2020 goal agreed at the 2002 Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development. SAICM's overall objective is the achievement of the sound management of chemicals throughout their life cycle so that by the year 2020, chemicals are produced and used in ways that minimize significant adverse impacts on the environment and human health. SAICM is distinguished by its comprehensive scope; ambitious “2020 goal” for sound chemicals management; multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral character; endorsement at the highest political levels; emphasis on chemical safety as a sustainable issue; provision for resource mobilization; and formal endorsement or recognition by the governing bodies of key intergovernmental organizations. |
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Website |
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Initiative/Partnership Name |
One Planet Sustainable Food Systems Programme |
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Partners (please list all partners) |
UNEP, FAO, UNDP, WWF plus 190 members – please see website |
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Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) |
SDG 2, 3, 12 |
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Member States benefiting from it |
Costa Rica, Switzerland, Vietnam, Uganda |
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Description (max 150 words) |
Responding to the many and interrelated challenges faced by our food systems requires a systems-based approach that addresses the range of complex interactions in the production and consumption of food. The One Planet Network’s Sustainable Food System (SFS) Programme contributes to a pathway of transformation towards sustainable food systems that was called for by the UN Secretary General’s Food Systems Summit in 2021, by building synergies and nurturing cooperation among a wide array of actors and initiatives. |
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Website |
https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/programmes/sustainable-food-systems/about |
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Initiative/Partnership Name |
Climate & Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) |
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Partners (please list all partners) |
80 state and regional integration organization partners and 82 non-state actors (including multiple intergovernmental organizations, international non-governmental organizations, and development banks). |
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Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) |
3, 13 |
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Member States benefiting from it |
All member States |
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Description (max 150 words) |
The CCAC is a global effort uniting governments, civil society and private sector, committed to improving air quality and protecting the climate in the next few decades by reducing short-lived climate pollutants across sectors. Complementary to mitigating CO2 emissions, the Coalition acts as a catalyst to create, implement and share solutions to improve people’s lives and to ensure sustainable development for future generations. It focuses on methane, black carbon, and HFCs and addresses short-lived climate pollutants by:
The Coalition serves as a forum for assessing progress in addressing the challenge of short-lived climate pollutants and mobilizing resources to accelerate action. |
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Website |
https://www.ccacoalition.org/partners/united-nations-environment-progra…; |
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Initiative/Partnership Name |
Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) |
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Partners (please list all partners) |
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Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) |
13 |
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Member States benefiting from it |
All. Global partnership. |
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Description (max 150 words) |
The CTCN is the implementation arm of the Technology Mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and is hosted by the UNEP. The Centre promotes the accelerated transfer of environmentally sound technologies for low carbon and climate resilient development at the request of developing countries. The CTC provides technology solutions, capacity building and advice on policy, legal and regulatory frameworks tailored to the needs of individual countries by harnessing the expertise of a global network of technology companies and institutions. The Network facilitates the transfer of technologies through: Providing technical assistance at the request of developing countries to accelerate the transfer of climate technologies; Creating access to information and knowledge on climate technologies; and Fostering collaboration among climate technology stakeholders via the Centre’s network of regional and sectoral experts from academia, the private sector, and public and research institutions. |
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Website |
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Initiative/Partnership Name |
Poverty-Environment Action for Sustainable Development Goals |
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Partners (please list all partners) |
United Nations Development Programme |
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Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) |
3, 14, 15, 17 |
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Member States benefiting from it |
Bangladesh, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Rwanda, Mauritania, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Indonesia. |
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Description (max 150 words) |
The Poverty-Environment Action for Sustainable Development Goals promotes an integrated approach that brings poverty, environment and climate objectives into the heart of national and subnational plans, policies, budgets and public and private finance to strengthen the sustainable management of natural resources and to alleviate poverty.
It builds on more than a decade of experience of its predecessor, the Poverty-Environment Initiative. It is working to:
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Website |
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Initiative/Partnership Name |
The Fifth Montevideo Programme for the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental Law (Montevideo Programme V) |
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Partners (please list all partners) |
Governments, Parliaments and other legislative bodies, Judiciary, Civil Society, Private Sector, Academia, Faith-based organizations, Youth organizations or Groups, Women organizations or groups, Secretariats of MEAs, United Nations entities and Media. |
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Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) |
16, 17 |
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Member States benefiting from it |
Global |
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Description (max 150 words) |
The Fifth Montevideo Programme for the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental Law (Montevideo Programme V) is an intergovernmental programme designed to guide the identification and implementation of priority actions in the field of environmental law undertaken by the UNEP in collaboration with other relevant actors for the decade beginning in 2020. Montevideo Programme V builds on the successes of past Montevideo programmes and supports to fulfil its core mandate and meet the environmental objectives found in United Nations resolutions, in particular those adopted by the United Nations Environment Assembly and, as appropriate, reflected in obligations contained in multilateral environmental agreements.
The Montevideo Programme V promotes the development and implementation of environmental rule of law, strengthens the related capacity in countries and contributes to the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda. |
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Website |
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Initiative/Partnership Name |
UN REDD Programme |
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Partners (please list all partners) |
UNDP, UNEP & FAO |
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Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) |
13 |
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Member States benefiting from it |
65 partner countries |
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Description (max 150 words) |
The United Nations Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (UN-REDD) is the UN knowledge and advisory platform on the forest solutions to the climate crisis.
Its goal is to help provide forest solutions to the climate emergency by avoiding carbon emissions and fostering carbon sequestration. In pursuing this international goal, UN-REDD promotes approaches that ensure the environmental integrity of carbon emissions reductions while supporting non-carbon benefits – from safeguarding biodiversity to supporting local livelihoods and promoting the rights of indigenous peoples. |
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Website |
6. In the Political Declaration adopted at the 2023 SDG Summit, Member States committed to using the review of the high-level political forum at the 78th session of the General Assembly to further strengthen the follow-up and review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, harnessing data to track progress in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and targets, strengthening analysis of the interlinkages across the Goals and targets, including policy implications of their synergies and trade-offs. Please provide your organization’s recommendations, if any, in this regard.
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Strengthen follow-up and review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda at HLPF
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Harnessing data to track progress in implementation
It is critical that the successes of the SDG indicator framework be translated into disaggregated data capable of informing national policies while maintaining compatibility at a global scale.
Data and indicators are key for informed decision-making and policy design to know how realistic options are, what inconsistencies might result from decisions, how the cost of such inconsistencies can be mitigated and how trade-offs can be explained. Considering that most environmental policies, including water policies, are developed at the national or subnational scale, disaggregated data is needed to inform policy.
The suitability of current indicator methodologies for environment related indicators might need re-evaluation.
UNEP analysis revealed the importance of incorporating more ecologically relevant spatial groupings. For example, catchment-based or ecosystem based aggregations may provide more insight into the ecological dimension of many of the interlinkages identified for freshwater and marine-related ecosystems. However, methods and tools used are expected to be developed concomitantly to facilitate actionable use of data by policymakers working within political or geographical boundaries.
Sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda can only be achieved through an all-sectoral approach that integrates environment-related indicator trends with robust policy analyses. Its interlinked nature calls for policy coherence for sustainable development through an integrated approach to ensure the production of complementary policies and the avoidance of tradeoffs.
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Strengthening analysis of the interlinkages across Goals and targets, including policy implications of their synergies and trade-offs
A fuller understanding of SDG interlinkages will ultimately allow for the design of more effective policy responses.
For example, integrated water resources management is an optimal policy response that requires the incorporation of scientific analysis of the most relevant external drivers of ecosystem and resource issues, a comprehensive planning approach as well as a traditional approach that focuses on stakeholder input. This is critical to achieving policy coherence and recommendations that are both policy relevant and scientifically defensible.
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Other suggestions