An analysis of the state of the art on SDG Interlinkages and an update of the JRC tool to foster policy coherence for sustainable development in EU policymaking
The concept of SDG interlinkages refers to the complex network of interactions existing within and between SDGs. This study presents an in-depth review and analysis of the growing body of literature providing evidence of positive and negative interlinkages playing out in different contexts.
The report discusses the state of the art on SDG interlinkages research, methodologies used to capture interlinkages and their limitations.
From the data emerges that authors apply a mix of methods to capture interlinkages, with data analysis becoming increasingly relevant while semantic analysis decreases in popularity. Similarly, as SDGs become increasingly operationalized, research, which initially focused on the global level, begins to contextualize interaction at lower geographical scales.
Most of the interlinkages collected are synergies, with SDG 6 appearing with overwhelming frequency. On the contrary, SDG 2 and its targets have the most negative interlinkages, confirming the complexity of the goal on ending hunger. SDG 7 and 14 are also frequent, whereas less interactions are recorded for more overarching SDGs like 16 and 17.
The information collected feeds into the update of the JRC SDG Interlinkages Tool, which allows users to visualize and understand interaction existing between specific goals and targets. In this way, the Tool can support policymakers to approach the complex network of SDG interactions and enhance policy coherence for sustainable development.
FRONZA Verdiana;
BARBERO VIGNOLA Giulia;
BORCHARDT Steve;
VALENTINI Silvia;
BUSCAGLIA Daniela;
MARONI Michele;
MARELLI Luisa;
2023-11-13
Publications Office of the European Union
JRC134248
978-92-68-07692-7 (online),
978-92-68-07693-4 (print),
1831-9424 (online),
1018-5593 (print),
EUR 31666 EN,
OP KJ-NA-31-666-EN-N (online),
OP KJ-NA-31-666-EN-C (print),
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC134248,
10.2760/711960 (online),
10.2760/45005 (print),
