Transformation of UN SDGs only way forward for sustainable development

Climate change is the single biggest threat to the global environment and socio-economic development – demanding an urgent transformation of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to a new study.

The UN SDGs were created to end poverty, build social-economic-health protection and enhance education and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and providing environmental protection.

Following last week’s COP29 environmental summit in Baku, University of Birmingham experts say that, as climate action is linked to sustainable development, systematic integration of climate resilience into every aspect of the SDGs is the only way of securing our planet’s future.

Publishing their findings in npj Climate Action, the interdisciplinary team of researchers, from across all five of the Universities constituent colleges, sets out a blueprint for transforming the SDGs by integrating climate action across all targets and indicators.

The researchers emphasise the need for sustainable agricultural practices, water management, and ocean conservation to mitigate climate impacts, with climate-resilient tools and policies helping to ensure food security and protect natural resources. Their five-point plan involves the following recommendations:

• Align the Paris Agreement’s climate objectives with the SDGs to create a unified pathway for sustainable development.
• Define clear short-term targets alongside long-term goals to provide a structured approach for achieving climate-resilient development.

• Empower local communities to help develop and implement climate-focussed policies.

• Establish a unified financial system to support climate-resilient sustainable goals, particularly in vulnerable regions.

• Form an international panel to allow coordination and knowledge exchange between sectors.

Corresponding author Professor Francis Pope commented: “Climate change is the most significant contemporary threat to the environment, human well-being, and livelihoods. It impacts every one of the 17 SDGs, particularly through increasing temperatures, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events.”

Lead author Dr Ajit Singh highlighted: “Embedding climate action within each SDG would ensure that climate resilience is a core component of sustainable development. If we fail to resolve tensions between development goals and climate action, we will find it impossible to secure the future of our planet and its people.”

The researchers note that climate change worsens poverty and inequality, as well as affecting health through disasters whilst influencing disease patterns and mental health. It reduces agricultural productivity and food security, whilst damaging water ecosystems and harming marine life.

They highlight the intricate links between climate change and poverty, health, education, and gender equality – calling for climate-resilient economic development and integration of climate education within school curricula to help communities to tackle climate challenges.

UN SDGs were developed through consultation with countries, international institutions and civil society. UN member states collectively agreed and formulated the global goals, but individual countries are responsible for reviewing and implementing progress towards SDG targets.