Using Network Theory to Achieve the Global Goals
Connections are critical to turning the goals into reality
By Robert Ludke, Handshake
In the last three years, the United Nations and the World Bank have used network theory to understand what Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide the most impact in achieving the 2030 goals. Understanding the connection between the SDGs, the most efficient use of resources (time, expertise, and capital), and the ability of countries and regions to apply those resources to meaningful outcomes is critically important. As David Le Blanc of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs noted, “Lack of integration across sectors in terms of strategies, policies and implementation has long been perceived as one of the main pitfalls of previous approaches to sustainable development.”
As part of his research, Le Blanc created a network map showing the connections between the SDGs and their related targets.
Le Blanc found that the goals around sustainable consumption and production (SCP), inequality, poverty and growth and employment top the list of the most connected SDGs as all have links with 10 other goals or more.
There are two important conclusions to be drawn from Le Blanc’s research. First, the SDGs cannot be looked at in isolation. Work on one SDG very much impacts work on other, related, SDGs. As Le Blanc wrote, those organizations focused on specific goals “will have to take into account targets that refer to other goals” but doing so will “enable greater integration across goals.”
There are two important conclusions to be drawn from Le Blanc’s research.
First, the SDGs cannot be looked at in isolation. Work on one SDG very much impacts work on other, related, SDGs. As Le Blanc wrote, those organizations focused on specific goals “will have to take into account targets that refer to other goals” but doing so will “enable greater integration across goals.”
The second conclusion is that the most connected goals – SCP, inequality, poverty and economic growth, etc. – are likely to have a catalytic impact. Addressing those goals will, in turn, accelerate the achievement of the other SDGs.
Keeping in mind the connected nature of the SDGs and using analyses such as Le Blanc’s will help prioritize resources and allow for better collaboration across sectors so we can achieve a better, more prosperous world by 2030.