The Agenda 2030 Compass

The Agenda 2030 Compass is a methodology and software tool developed by the Stockholm Environment Institute and Jernkontoret to help decision-makers assess the direct and indirect sustainability impacts of investments, policies, and strategies based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It consists of a Context Mapper to identify SDG interactions in specific geographic or sectoral settings and a Strategy Analyser for workshop-based assessment of planned interventions.

• The Agenda 2030 Compass consists of two primary components: the Context Mapper, which identifies potential positive or negative interactions among SDGs based on factors like energy mix and socio-economic conditions, and the Strategy Analyser, a workshop-based process for analyzing the sustainability implications of planned interventions.
• The tool's methodology distinguishes between direct effects, which are assessed by workshop participants, and indirect effects, which are calculated by the tool using a context matrix to show how progress on one SDG may support or undermine another.
• The Context Mapper uses a 'triangulation' approach to build interaction maps, combining empirical analysis of historical data, expert panel identification of key factors, and expert crowdsourcing via the 2030 Compass CoLab.
• The project developed a global context map and specific national context maps for Sweden, Poland, and India, estimating that maps for other countries or subnational areas could be created in two to three days with country-level experts.
• The Strategy Analyser process is structured into four blocks: Block A (preparation and strategy specification), Block B (initial scoring of direct effects), Block C (in-depth discussion and strategy improvement), and Block D (analysis of indirect effects and 'acupuncture points').
• Four pilot case studies in Sweden tested the tool: Stilride (e-scooter production), Ascend (smart energy housing for Örebrobostäder), Kalmar municipal administration (mobility strategy), and Ramboll/Skåne Regional Council (innovation strategy).
• The tool is designed for structured collective reflection rather than quantitative modelling, as the project found it nearly impossible to assign aggregate scores to the complex, politically negotiated sub-targets of the SDGs.
• A limitation of the Context Mapper is that it relies on historical empirical data, meaning interaction scores may not reflect conditions 5–10 years in the future and require regular updates.

APA

Hallding, K., Suljada, T., Axelsson, K., Swartling, Å. G., Kemp-Benedict, E., Laubacher, R., Dahlin, J.-E., Skånberg, K., Blidh, H., & Davis, M. (2022). The Agenda 2030 Compass. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/agenda-2030-compass-synthesis-report.pdf

Chicago

Hallding, Karl, Timothy Suljada, Katarina Axelsson, Åsa Gerger Swartling, Eric Kemp-Benedict, Robert Laubacher, Jon-Erik Dahlin, et al. The Agenda 2030 Compass. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2022. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/agenda-2030-compass-synthesis-report.pdf.

Wikipedia

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BibTeX

@techreport{hallding2022agenda, author = {Hallding, Karl and Suljada, Timothy and Axelsson, Katarina and Swartling, Åsa Gerger and Kemp-Benedict, Eric and Laubacher, Robert and Dahlin, Jon-Erik and Skånberg, Kristian and Blidh, Henrik and Davis, Marion}, title = {{The Agenda 2030 Compass}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2022}, month = oct, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/agenda-2030-compass-synthesis-report.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }