Synergy on the SDGs: Necessary Outcomes for Unprecedented Times
Martha Molfetas argues that a synergised net-zero economy could see a 9% growth in GDP; outweighing the cost of climate transition.
Against the backdrop of another sweltering—and life threatening—summer, envoys and observers have descended on New York City to partake in the High Level Political Forum, or HLPF. What transpires at the United Nations from 8-17 July will determine actions and potential outcomes at the Summit of the Future this September. It will also determine how the United Nations choses to deal with the polycrisis of our present: conflict, climate, development, and all the rest.
With everything happening all at once, there have been calls for increased synergy on the sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly on climate. The UN is faced with the reality that the SDGs are unlikely to be achieved by 2030. Needless to say, the HLPF will have a lot to unpack and much to discern in advance of the Summit for the Future; where the future shape of the SDGs will be decided.
It now goes without saying, climate impacts are here. It is today’s problem and today’s challenge. Billion-dollar climate-fuelled events in the United States are the new normal. The World Meteorological Organization estimates up to $1.2 quadrillion in damages by 2100 if nations do not alter the present course. Climate impacts contribute indirectly towards conflict and instability by putting pressure on livelihood resources. Despite all of this, investments and reliance on fossil fuels—responsible for 75% of all emissions—continue to rise.
There is a dire need for intersectional approaches that can advance a just energy transition. This would represent a dramatic shift towards an economy unmoored to fossils, better adapted to the present and anticipated climate reality, and centred on justice. It would mean advancing an international development agenda that can better address the climate crisis, SDG challenges, and an economic transformation. As the HLPF convenes shortly to fortify the means of accelerating the SDGs, delegates and diplomats should centre on the following arenas of intersectional opportunity.
Synergy on Climate, Finance, & Justice
The conclusion of the first Global Stocktake at COP28 in Dubai illustrated how the window for action is closing. The fact that climate is amplifying livelihood insecurities and contributing towards delays in achieving the SDGs should be enough reason to do more. Raising ambition on climate needs to include increased synergy across all the SDGs. Those least responsible for climate-causing emissions have faced the steepest climate impacts.
Justice dynamics must be considered across the SDGs around common but differentiated impacts; and differentiated means. Often it is the most debt-burdened nations who are faced with climate impacts, and they are unable to seek financing to address these new challenges. This could take the form of debt for nature or debt for climate payoffs, or other debt relief.
Without synergy on climate, finance and justice; the world of tomorrow will be far more unequal; with those able to adapt doing so and those less fortunate suffering the consequences wealthier nations have caused. It will require up to $2.7 trillion in annual investments globally to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Far less than the cost of escalated climate impacts and a disrupted world.
Synergy on Energy Transition, Critical Resources, & Technology Transfers
Despite large gains in energy access over the last decade, there are still 774 million people without access to electricity. Open fires are still the primary means of cooking for nearly 30% of the population, putting 2.3 billion people at risk of adverse health impacts. As global populations grow, demand for electricity will increase by at least 62% by 2050. Energy access is intrinsically linked to economic opportunities. Key SDGs cannot be achieved without energy access for all.
The HLPF should strive to encourage renewable energy investments and technology transfers wherever possible. The majority of the critical resources that will power renewable energy originate from developing countries. Demand for critical minerals, like lithium, nickel, and copper, is set to rapidly accelerate—with up to an eightfold increase by mid-century for lithium alone.
The HLPF should ensure that resource rich nations are able to tap in and utilize their own resources, without the need to export raw materials only to later import finished products. This could require additional capacity building for nations; but should centre on increasing human and social development opportunities rather than continuing exploitative resource practices of the present. It would require supporting and requiring best practices in mining for critical resources; and will absolutely hinge on the success of technology transfers.
The HLPF should centre on approaches that break traditional silos. Responding in this way could represent a windfall moment—a net-zero economy could see a 9% growth in GDP; outweighing the cost of climate transition. The challenges ahead are intersectional in nature and will require synergy across the SDGs to ensure a habitable, prosperous, and stable future for all.
Martha Molfetas is a Senior Fellow, Planetary Politics, at New America - working on just energy transition; and a Visiting Assistant Professor at Pratt Institute’s Graduate Center for Planning and the Environment; where she teaches Environmental Economics. Martha is a senior climate and energy policy consultant, writer, and strategist with over 15-years of experience helping NGOs, think tanks, and businesses unpack climate, environmental justice, resource conflict, sustainable development, and global policy issues.
Photo by Enric Cruz López
