Synergies and trade-offs between sanitation and the sustainable development goals

Abstract

To better leverage opportunities arising out of sustainable and inclusive management of sanitation services there is a need for robust and comprehensive evidence of the wide-ranging benefits that sanitation can deliver. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a comprehensive framework for sustainable development broken down into 169 interconnected Targets which are articulated under 17 Goals. Based on a methodology developed at University College London (UCL), this study identifies linkages between sanitation and the 169 Targets corroborated by published evidence. We show that there are synergies between sanitation and all 17 Goals and 130 (77%) of the Targets, and trade-offs for 28 (17%) of the Targets. We identified 83 Targets (49%) that call for action in the sanitation sector. The results demonstrate the far-reaching benefits that can be unlocked from investment in sanitation, which extend beyond health and spread across sectors. The evidence base for the 17 Goals establishes links that can inform cross-sectoral action, collaborations and investment across governance levels for integrated sanitation solutions. The research provides different stakeholders with a framework that can be applied to context-specific cases and projects. We propose a range of recommendations to policy makers, practitioners and researchers who seek to take this study further to help achieve the SDGs.

Synergies and Trade-offs between Sanitation and the Sustainable Development Goals

“…the combination of time saved as a result of safe sanitation access and associated cost savings can have multiplier effects for households where investment enhances sanitation provision at home [30]. Sanitation improvements are further central to promote social, economic and political inclusion, including that of migrants (targets 10.2, 10.7) [39,40]. however, trade-offs were also identified for three targets (targets 1.1-2, 1.a) highlighting how micro-financing structures need to be not only accessible but affordable in order to minimise the financial burden that sanitation investments can represent for households [41][42][43].…”

“…On finance mobilisation and allocation (targets 17.1-5), there is recognition that the poorest countries receive proportionately less Official Development assistance (ODa) and that water and sanitation-related ODa is poorly targeted (target 17.2) [95]. Yet, ODa can sustainably support sanitation interventions on the ground as well as inform policy-making and regulations (targets 17.2-5) [73,[96][97][98][99][100]. Evidence of positive links between sanitation and SDG17 have also been identified in national policies and strategies which capitalise on their international relationships for exchange of sanitation-related information, knowledge, technology and finance (targets 17.6-9) [101].…”

Africa and Climate Justice at COP27 and beyond: impacts and solutions through an interdisciplinary lens

“…Addressing access to water and sanitation is steeped in all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (77) and as such, addressing climate change holistically can positively shift the impact in LDCs and MDCs (78). A balanced solution is for increased green infrastructure and sustainable development in these areas (79) to facilitate flood and climate resilient toilets enabled with access to water systems and safe wastewater treatment in schools, health clinics and other key institutions.…”

Validation of the UNICEF fiscal diagnostic tool for SDGs 6.1 and 6.2 in East and Southern Africa using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP)

“…The UN 2030 Agenda ( UN Water 2016) acknowledges interlinkages between various SDGs with the potential to leverage wide-ranging benefits. Parikh et al (2021) reviewed evidence from over 500 publications to demonstrate synergies between sanitation and all Goals and 130 out of 169 SDG targets. Achieving the provision of water and sanitation services is therefore not just about tackling the water and sanitation crisis denoted within SDG 6 but also addressing health, education, climate change and other key issues presented within the other 16 Goals.…”