Untangling the interactions of sustainability targets: synergies and trade-offs in the Northern European context

Abstract

Agenda 2030 and sustainable development goals (SDG) are key formulations of sustainability policies, consisting of 17 general-level goals and 169 more detailed targets. The target setting is based on tedious international policy negotiations and compromises addressing myriad of different and sometimes incompatible interests. Identification of key trade-offs and synergies between the targets can help the efficient implementation of SDGs by improving the opportunities to focus policy attention and actions on the most relevant issues. This article focuses on trade-offs and synergies of nationally relevant targets in the context of an industrialised and affluent nation state. Results from a cross-matrix examination of targets in Finland show that most of the selected targets are characterised by synergistic interactions with other nationally relevant targets. However, policies aimed at advancing economic growth and the use of renewable energy risk a number of serious trade-offs. Methodological advances are required to make the assessment of interactions more transparent and reliable, manageable within the limited resources and capable of producing results relevant to decision-making. A recommendation for the use of cross-matrix examination as a tool of collaborative ex ante sustainability assessment is put forward, also acknowledging the risk of "paralysis by analysis" related to the wide-ranging SDG framework.

Assuming accuracy, pretending influence? Risks of measuring, monitoring and reporting sustainable development goals

“…Various studies address risks related to methodological questions such as the inadequate capabilities of indicators or modelling approaches to describe SDGs (Aly et al 2022 ; van Vuuren et al 2022 ). Another stream of research shifts the focus from individual goals or targets to the systemic level and addresses risks related to potential trade-offs or missing synergies (Spaiser et al 2017 ; Lyytimäki et al 2021 ). These studies are motivated by the need to avoid problem-shifting from one area to another by actions taken to attain SDGs.…”

“…Even cross-disciplinary approaches typically limit the examination inside the SDG framework without critically questioning the relevance or ambitiousness of the 2030 targets (Lyytimäki et al 2021 ). This can be problematic since SDGs represent a policy compromise resulting from intergovernmental negotiations and they are not likely to fully correspond with key issues and priorities and target-setting by sustainability science (Vinnari and Vinnari 2022 ).…”

Priorities for science to support national implementation of the sustainable development goals: A review of progress and gaps

“…The interactions between SDG targets have increasingly raised political and academic interest (Lyytimäki, Lonkila, Furman, Korhonen-Kurki, & Lähteenoja, 2020). Approaches for assessing and managing interlinkages between the SDGs represent an important and dynamic field of emerging research as evidenced by the peer-reviewed and grey literature.…”

Storylines nailing or failing sustainability: Energy, mining and mobility as narrative arenas for societal transition

“…Abundant previous research has addressed isolated individual SDGs and analysed interactions between different goals and targets, often adopting systematic and quantitative approaches (e.g. Le Blanc, 2015;Lyytimäki, Furman, et al, 2021).…”