What does it mean when the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) impact each other?

The main goal of SDG16 is to promote “peaceful, just and inclusive societies, free of fear from all forms of violence”. Furthermore, the Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies have identified additional sub-goals from other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that relate directly to the three dimensions of SDG16. These additional goals, together with the goals of SDG16, provide a framework known as “SDG16+”. This means that the achievement of SDG16 also depends on whether other SDGs are achieved. At the same time, the potential of SDG16 is maximised when it is implemented across sectors.

Peace and climate belong together
FriEnt’s focus on the peace-climate nexus also ties in with the demands of the SDG16Now Campaign. The intention to reduce and prevent violence must be linked to protecting the livelihoods of local populations, respecting their legitimate land rights and access to resources as well as preventing land and water theft including anti-corruption measures. A strong and independent civil society and advocates for marginalised groups are crucial to building resilience and social cohesion – especially in times of the climate crisis. In climate policy and the resulting measures, conflict sensitivity and a “Do No Harm” approach are crucial to prevent the exacerbation of new or existing conflicts. Human rights activists, including feminist actors and environmental activists, build important bridges between local and other actors.

An enabling environment supports the realisation of SDG16. This means, for example, that governments spend public resources on the most vulnerable local populations in climate-vulnerable, fragile states affected by conflict. At the same time, civil society actors must be protected from all forms of threat, harassment, and misinformation.

The UN’s Pact for the Future is intended to remove the obstacles
As a prerequisite for and goal of sustainable development, SDG16 must not be lost even in times of geopolitical tensions. After the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), the United Nations’ (UN) Summit of the Future will take place in September 2024. In the draft of the Pact for the Future, which is to be adopted at this meeting, the UN member states commit themselves to removing all obstacles to sustainable development. This is because the implementation of the 2030 Agenda is more important than ever in order not to lose people’s trust in international cooperation. This also means that instead of tendencies towards militarisation, cooperation, trust-building, and solidarity must once again become the preferred option for action.