Synergies overcome trade-offs between climate policy and water-related SDG targets

Abstract

The United Nations has reported that the world is off track to achieve water sustainability and this has been exacerbated by climate change. Studies indicate that water-related sustainable development goals (SDGs) have significant synergies and trade-offs involving various sectors. We measure the synergies and trade-offs between climate actions (mitigation and adaptation) and five water-related SDG targets based on a global numerical simulation driven by climate change and socioeconomic scenarios. We found that synergies outweigh trade-offs in all regions regarding water-related targets, with an approximately five-fold difference in the globally affected population. The main trade-off source is increased water use due to economic development in Africa and Central/South America, and increased irrigation water if bio-energy crop production is enhanced in Africa, suggesting that more coordinated policy-making is needed between climate action and water management.