Abstract
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their 169 targets are not independent of each other but have mutual impacts. These connections are referred to as interlinkages or cohesive actions. To achieve the SDGs, integrated solutions across sectors are needed with them in mind. Sustainable consumption and production (SCP) is a key to connect multiple goals and targets of the SDGs. The objectives of this article are twofold. The first is to identify approaches for visualizing and analyzing the interrelationship between corporate activities and the SDGs based on the results of joint research with Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd, especially regarding SCP. The second is to consider the interlinkages in three thematic areas: housing, energy and agriculture, suggesting policy approaches to manage the interlinkages within each theme in Asia. First, as a case study on corporate activities, this article demonstrates how the activities of Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd., a Japanese company famous for its MUJI brand, are connected with the SDGs, particularly focusing on SCP. The results indicate a potential for linking corporate activities with a broad range of SDG targets. Second, this article examines the three thematic areas of housing, energy and agriculture. These three thematic areas were chosen for analysis, as they are key areas in the management of SCP. This part of the article illustrates the interlinkages within each theme and suggests policy approaches as to how to manage them within each theme. To address the challenges of SCP, the article concludes that as there are potentials in linking not only specific goals of the SDGs but also the broader goals and targets, it is essential to have cohesive actions to address the challenges.
