Background
CLOSING THE AMBITION GAP: FOSTERING SYNERGIES BETWEEN CLIMATE ACTION AND SDGS
Monday, 18 November 2024
13:30-14:45 (Baku time)—SDG Pavilion: Blue Zone-C4
CONTEXT
As we approach 2030, the urgency to tackle climate change, environmental degradation, and social inequality is paramount. The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024 reveals that only 17% of the SDGs are on track, with over a third showing significant regression. With more than 80% of SDG targets directly linked to climate, it is essential to integrate climate action with sustainable development efforts. Immediate and transformative solutions are necessary to accelerate progress and address the investment gaps worth trillions of dollars, in line with UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ call for decisive climate action in "A Moment of Truth."
Since 2019, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) have underscored the critical importance of synergy between climate action and the SDGs. The first global report, “Synergy Solutions for a World in Crisis: Tackling Climate and SDG Action Together,” highlighted the potential for synergies to enhance resilience, build institutional capacity, and ensure policy coherence. The subsequent report, “Synergy Solutions for Climate and SDG Action: Bridging the Ambition Gap for the Future We Want”, provides a roadmap for achieving transformative change.
The next two years are crucial for course correction, with the upcoming round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) due by early 2025. These NDCs must align with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Finance discussions at COP29 and COP30 will be essential, especially as developing countries struggle to secure the funding needed to meet their climate and development goals, with estimates suggesting trillions of dollars are required. Emphasizing synergistic solutions can lead to more coherent and integrated actions, ultimately resulting in more effective outcomes.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
The event aims to catalyze the development of actionable plans and initiatives that leverage synergies between climate action and the SDGs. By presenting the findings of the 2024 report on Climate and SDG Synergy, participants will gain enhanced awareness and commitment among policymakers, stakeholders, and the public regarding the importance of integrated approaches to address climate change, environmental degradation, and social inequality.
Co-convening organizations will outline the next steps for Climate and SDG Synergy, presenting a roadmap that supports the milestones leading to COP30.
Experts will present specific opportunities related to Climate and SDG Synergy, highlighting innovative strategies and initiatives that can drive impactful results for human capital. The event will also deliver concrete policy recommendations aimed at enhancing synergistic actions, leading to more effective and cohesive policies at local, national, and international levels.
Additionally, the event will facilitate networking and collaboration among governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector, with specific focus on fostering partnerships that promote integrated climate and development actions. Finally, the exchange of knowledge and best practices will enhance capacity building and reinforce a collective commitment to sustainable and inclusive progress.
The event will also showcase best practices on how to integrate the SDGs in the next generation of the NDCs (NDC 3.0) due ahead of COP30.
