SDGs and the environment in the EU: A systems view to improve coherence

This report, commissioned by the European Environment Agency and authored by the Stockholm Environment Institute, applies the 'SDG Synergies' approach to analyze interactions between environmental targets and the broader 2030 Agenda within the European Union. Using a semi-quantitative network analysis, the study identifies which environmental targets have the highest synergistic potential, maps direct trade-offs and synergies, and explores indirect 'ripple effects' across the SDG network to support more coherent policy-making.

• The analysis identifies Target 12.4 (environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes) and Target 13.1 (climate adaptation and disaster resilience) as having the highest 'synergistic potential' among the eight environmental targets studied in the EU. These targets are considered low-risk strategies for driving overall SDG progress because they restrict very few other goals or targets.
• Among all 21 goals and targets analyzed, the highest overall synergistic potential is found in SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
• Progress on the eight selected environmental targets is generally mutually supportive of SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
• Environmental targets face challenging relationships with several SDGs, including SDG 1, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11. Specifically, progress on environmental targets could strongly restrict progress towards SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) is identified as one of the most challenging goals for environmental targets; it was assessed as hindering progress on all studied environmental targets except for Target 13.1 (climate adaptation).
• The report highlights a critical short-term trade-off regarding wind power expansion in the EU. While promoting climate mitigation and energy security, onshore wind farms can cause habitat loss and impact wildlife, while offshore farms may compete spatially with marine and coastal habitats.
• Network analysis reveals that first-order (direct) interactions can be misleading. For example, while Target 13.2 (climate mainstreaming) directly promotes SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), progress on SDG 7 can indirectly restrict progress on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and five environmental targets if energy infrastructure puts stress on ecosystems.
• The overall distribution of interactions between the selected goals and targets in the EU is predominantly positive, with approximately 70% being promoting and less than 20% being restricting.

APA

Weitz, N., Carlsen, H., Skånberg, K., Dzebo, A., & Viaud, V. (2019). SDGs and the environment in the EU: A systems view to improve coherence. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/sei-2019-pr-weitz-sdg-synergies-eu-env.pdf

Chicago

Weitz, Nina, Henrik Carlsen, Kristian Skånberg, Adis Dzebo, and Vincent Viaud. SDGs and the environment in the EU: A systems view to improve coherence. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2019. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/sei-2019-pr-weitz-sdg-synergies-eu-env.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Weitz |first1=Nina |last2=Carlsen |first2=Henrik |last3=Skånberg |first3=Kristian |last4=Dzebo |first4=Adis |last5=Viaud |first5=Vincent |title=SDGs and the environment in the EU: A systems view to improve coherence |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=October 2019 |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/sei-2019-pr-weitz-sdg-synergies-eu-env.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{weitz2019sdgs, author = {Weitz, Nina and Carlsen, Henrik and Skånberg, Kristian and Dzebo, Adis and Viaud, Vincent}, title = {{SDGs and the environment in the EU: A systems view to improve coherence}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2019}, month = oct, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/sei-2019-pr-weitz-sdg-synergies-eu-env.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }