Mid Sweden University

Agenda 2030 unifies ecological, social, and economic sustainability, with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at its heart. The integrated nature of the SDGs leads to complex relationships that can be divided into synergies (progress in one goal favour progress in another) and trade-offs (progress in one goal hinders progress in another). These interlinkages are important to consider in policy planning and implementation of the SDGs to enhance progress across all the 17 goals. The Swedish government has declared the regional level as being especially important in the fulfilment of Agenda 2030 on a national level, as many of the basic welfare assignments lie within their responsibility. This paper uses the Swedish region Jämtland Härjedalen as an example of how knowledge of synergies and trade-offs can be used in the work with Agenda 2030 by identifying interactions between 15 targets relevant for the region. The assessment of interlinkages between targets are supported by a literature review aimed at finding relevant information based on the geographic context and the specific targets chosen. Synergies and trade-offs were identified using a seven-point typology for scoring. The results are presented in a cross-impact matrix that visualizes interaction between targets and identifies which targets have the most and the least positive influence on the network. The analysis shows that most of the interactions are synergistic which means that progress in one area often makes it easier to fulfil other targets simultaneously. The results also highlight a few important trade-offs, related to land-use and the use of natural resources, that are important to consider to avoid irreversible effects. Displaying interactions between targets alone does not offer any guidance on how to enhance synergies or manage trade-offs but it is an important first step to enhance progress across all SDGs. Knowledge of how different targets relate to each other can offer guidance for where specific attention is needed and where cross-sectorial collaboration is merited. Overall, it can lead to better informed decision-making.