SDG Synergies: An approach for coherent 2030 Agenda implementation

This briefing describes the 'SDG Synergies' approach developed by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), a practical framework designed to help governments and organizations plan the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda by analyzing the interactions between Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets.

• The SDG Synergies approach is a three-step collaborative analysis process designed to help decision-makers prioritize actions, identify effective partnerships, and manage the interconnected nature of the 17 SDGs and 169 targets.
• The first step, Customization, involves narrowing the scope of analysis to a manageable subset of targets—typically between 20 and 40—because there are nearly 30,000 possible direct interactions among all 169 targets.
• The second step, Scoring interactions, utilizes a 'cross-impact matrix' where stakeholders and experts score how progress toward one target influences another. This process accounts for the fact that interactions can be asymmetrical, meaning progress on Target A may affect Target B differently than vice versa.
• The final step, Analysis, uses network analysis to identify patterns, clusters of interacting targets, and indirect 'ripple' effects. These ripple effects occur when progress toward one target modifies the way another target influences others,S.
• The approach provides policy insights by identifying high-leverage targets that strongly promote many others for resource prioritization, as well as targets that may require specific support because they lack positive influence from other goals.
• Beyond analytical outputs, the process adds value by facilitating cross-sectoral dialogue, building consensus among stakeholders from different departments, and helping to mitigate potential trade-offs or negative spill-over effects.

APA

Weitz, N., Carlsen, H., & Trimmer, C. (2019). SDG Synergies: An approach for coherent 2030 Agenda implementation. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/sei-brief-2019-sdg-synergies-2.pdf

Chicago

Weitz, Nina, Henrik Carlsen, and Caspar Trimmer. SDG Synergies: An approach for coherent 2030 Agenda implementation. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2019. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/sei-brief-2019-sdg-synergies-2.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Weitz |first1=Nina |last2=Carlsen |first2=Henrik |last3=Trimmer |first3=Caspar |title=SDG Synergies: An approach for coherent 2030 Agenda implementation |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=May 2019 |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/sei-brief-2019-sdg-synergies-2.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{weitz2019sdg, author = {Weitz, Nina and Carlsen, Henrik and Trimmer, Caspar}, title = {{SDG Synergies: An approach for coherent 2030 Agenda implementation}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2019}, month = may, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/sei-brief-2019-sdg-synergies-2.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }