Addressing the gap in the UN’s SDG indicators

The document examines the gap between global SDG indicators and the lived experiences of Indigenous Peoples and local communities affected by lithium mining in Argentina. It highlights that while lithium is essential for the global energy transition, extraction processes often ignore local perspectives and reinforce historical inequalities. The authors recommend implementing free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), mandatory benefit-sharing, and the co-creation of SDG indicators with Indigenous Peoples to ensure a socially just and environmentally responsible transition.

• There is a significant disconnect between the socio-environmental impacts of lithium mining identified in scientific literature and those reported by local and Indigenous community members. Survey participants identified impacts not covered in the literature, including "poorer access to childcare" and "negative effects to education".
• Current UN SDG indicators and general frameworks fail to prioritize Indigenous leadership and livelihoods, creating a gap that overlooks the knowledge of communities most affected by climate change and development.
• The authors recommend the implementation of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) to ensure Indigenous Peoples can advocate for their interests and maintain ownership of data collected from their lands, citing the 2015 Kachi Yupi protocol as a model.
• Existing transparency frameworks in Argentina, such as the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in Catamarca and Salta, are limited because they are voluntary and lack enforcement power, as evidenced by low 2022 EITI scores.
• To achieve a just energy transition, the UN and multilateral organizations should partner with Indigenous Peoples to develop specific SDG indicators that reflect their priorities and lived experiences from the earliest stages of policymaking.
• The document advocates for mandatory benefit-sharing agreements to ensure local communities receive a fair share of profits, supported by Argentina's National Constitution (Chapter 4, Article 75) and Law No. 24.071.

APA

Forni, L., Mallak, N., Izquierdo, A. E., Nieva, F., Estigarribia, L., Mautner, M., & Díaz-Gómez, R. (2025). Addressing the gap in the UN’s SDG indicators. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/sdg-energy-transition-argentina-1-1.pdf

Chicago

Forni, Laura, Nyah Mallak, Andrea E. Izquierdo, Florencia Nieva, Lucrecia Estigarribia, Marina Mautner, and Romina Díaz-Gómez. Addressing the gap in the UN’s SDG indicators. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2025. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/sdg-energy-transition-argentina-1-1.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Forni |first1=Laura |last2=Mallak |first2=Nyah |last3=Izquierdo |first3=Andrea E. |last4=Nieva |first4=Florencia |last5=Estigarribia |first5=Lucrecia |last6=Mautner |first6=Marina |last7=Díaz-Gómez |first7=Romina |title=Addressing the gap in the UN’s SDG indicators |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=August 2025 |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/sdg-energy-transition-argentina-1-1.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{forni2025addressing, author = {Forni, Laura and Mallak, Nyah and Izquierdo, Andrea E. and Nieva, Florencia and Estigarribia, Lucrecia and Mautner, Marina and Díaz-Gómez, Romina}, title = {{Addressing the gap in the UN’s SDG indicators}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2025}, month = aug, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/sdg-energy-transition-argentina-1-1.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }