A group of 18 partner organizations, coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), released a report that makes a systematic examination of the impact of climate change and extreme weather on the SDGs. It illustrates the role of weather, climate, and water-related sciences in advancing global objectives relating to food and water security, clean energy, better health, sustainable oceans, and resilient cities.
The report titled, ‘United in Science 2023: Sustainable Development Edition,’ builds on the 2023 Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR). Focusing on SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation), SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities), SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 14 (life below water), and SDG 17 (partnerships for the Goals), it provides a high-level compilation of the latest weather, climate, and water-related sciences and services for sustainable development. The rest of the SDGs are covered in brief.
The report warns that only 15% of the SDGs on track and that the “impacts of extreme weather and climate change are undermining progress towards achieving all of the SDGs.” Emphasizing the urgent need for solutions, it argues that scientific advances can “boost our game” to reach the SDGs and calls for investing in and mobilizing the scientific community to that end.
The report’s recommendations include:
- Close the gaps in weather, climate, and hydrological observations and data in support of the SDGs;
- Advance research and expand access to science, technology, and innovation;
- Strengthen scientific capacity and skills through education and training;
- Embrace local, contextual, and Indigenous knowledge; and
- Unite diverse stakeholders to boost the impact of science.
Speaking on the occasion of the report’s launch, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the role of weather, climate, and water-related sciences in “supercharg[ing] progress on the SDGs across the board.” “Science is central to solutions,” he said.
“Groundbreaking scientific and technological advances, such as high-resolution climate modeling, artificial intelligence, and nowcasting, can catalyze transformation to achieve the SDGs,” said WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas.
The report was issued ahead of the 2023 SDG Summit and the Climate Ambition Summit. It features contributions from WMO, UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Global Carbon Project (GCP), UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Secretariat, UNFCCC, UN-Habitat, Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), UN Women, UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), and UN Development Programme (UNDP), as well as from national meteorological services, universities, observatories, and think tanks. [Publication: United in Science 2023: Sustainable Development Edition] [Publication Landing Page] [WMO Press Release] [UN News Story] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on United in Science 2022]