NDC-SDG Connections tool

The newly updated NDC-SDG Connections tool identifies synergies between the international climate and sustainability agendas, with the aim of boosting the effectiveness of national action planning. The new release was announced on the website of the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) in July 2023.

The NDC-SDG Connections tool, which was developed by IDOS and the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), visually maps the links between climate action plans (or “nationally determined contributions” – NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda. The latest update enables users to compare the initial and updated NDC submissions, and allows these connections to be tracked over time. Currently, data for 63 updated NDCs are included, and more are being continually added.

“Progress on the climate and sustainable development goals has stagnated and, in some cases, even gone backwards over the past three years,” said Adis Dzebo, Research Fellow at Stockholm Environment Institute. “This raises questions about political will and the commitment to implement both agendas. The NDC-SDG Connections tool shows both the low-hanging fruit and the gaps that need to be filled. It is particularly important that we strengthen action on the social dimension of sustainability if we are to change course – while leaving no one behind.”

Recent research reveals that an increasing number of countries recognise the need to address the links between climate action and the economic, environmental and social dimensions of sustainable development. The number of climate activities in general has increased significantly, and in particular in terms of contributions to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). However, there is a decline in climate activities linked to some critical SDGs, notably those within the environmental dimension, such as Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), and Life on Land (SDG 15). This decline, especially regarding forest-related activities and conservation, is concerning, since achieving the Paris Agreement requires significant efforts to reduce carbon emissions and protect carbon sinks.

Additionally, although climate activities across the social dimension of sustainable development have increased significantly, the SDGs related to this area are still not being adequately addressed. Emphasising these links is essential in ensuring a just transition to low-carbon and climate-resilient societies.

Evaluating a country’s progress on both the climate and sustainability agendas means being able to measure the implementation of national plans. However, there are still too few quantifiable activities in most countries’ NDCs.

To accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda, countries should:

• Enhance future NDCs by defining specific, measurable and quantifiable activities across all dimensions of sustainable development;
• Balance their climate actions better across socially, environmentally and economically oriented SDGs;
• Make the interactions between the climate and sustainability agendas more formal, by actively exploring climate-SDG interactions in policy processes and outcomes.

(IDOS/ile)

Read more on the IDOS website

Visit the NDC-SDG Connections tool