In the pursuit of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, understanding the interconnectedness of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at both national and sub-national levels is crucial.
A study, published in Nature Communications and conducted by scientists from the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS), the Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and foreign collaborators, sheds light on the significance of recognizing synergies and trade-offs among these goals, offering valuable insights for policymakers worldwide. This study identified synergies, where a pair of SDGs improve or deteriorate together, and trade-offs, where one SDG improves while others might deteriorate. By understanding these dynamics, policymakers can identify the main obstacles and opportunities within a country, allowing them to prioritize SDGs in a holistic manner, and ensuring that progress is pursued in a balanced and interconnected way.
The researchers found that, in China, there are provinces where certain SDGs exhibit high trade-offs or synergies. For example, 19 provinces show significant trade-offs in SDG13 (Climate Action) or SDG5 (Gender Equality), while 24 provinces demonstrate strong synergies in SDG1 (No Poverty) or SDG6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
Besides, they underscored the need for a decentralized approach for SDG implementation in China. Provincial governments should play a key role in formulating targeted policies that align with their local priorities, facilitating more effective progress towards achieving the SDGs nationally."Common but differentiated" refers to the recognition that while the overall goals are universal, each region or province may have different levels of development, challenges, and priorities. Concrete actions at the local level that leverage synergies and address trade-offs can effectively accelerate achievement of the SDGs.
The findings of this study are also valuable for other countries.
