Using SDG Synergies to improve coherence between policy agendas in Colombia

This case study is part of the SEI Urban Toolbox for Liveable Cities which has been developed by the SEI Initiative on City Health and Wellbeing. The Urban Toolbox is a collection of tools, developed within SEI or in coordination with SEI, aimed at supporting planning and decision-making for improving the health, well-being and resilience of city residents and urban systems more broadly.

This case study demonstrates how the SDG Synergies Tool can be used to gather input from resident to inform city planning and development.

Introduction

The goal of this exercise in 2019 was to improve the coherence between three different policy agendas in the context of Colombia’s mining and energy planning: the Sustainable Development Goals, Colombia’s nationally determined contribution under the Paris Agreement, and the OECD’s Good Practice Guidance.

For this application of SDG Synergies, 61 targets were selected from across the three agendas, chosen according to their relevance for Colombia’s mining-energy sector. This meant SDG Synergies was also used for exploring interactions between different development agendas, not just Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This project emerged from a partnership between Stockholm Environment Institute and Colombia’s Mining-Energy Planning Unit (UPME).

Methodology

Four separate analyses were carried out, one each for electricity generation, mining, fossil fuel use and distribution, and a cross-sectoral analysis between these three. Both government specialists and private-sector stakeholders in the mining and energy industries were invited to participate.

The national analysis took place from March 7 to 8, 2019, in the city of Bogota. Approximately 100 stakeholders participated in the analysis of SDG interactions. Participating entities and organizations contributed the knowledge on the SDGs, particularly with those targets selected for the analysis. The technical teams of various entities related to the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the SDGs in Colombia contributed to this analysis. It is worth mentioning that a total of 20 SDG targets were selected for the national case.

On the other hand, the analysis of SDG interactions in Antioquia took place in the city of Medellin, on November 29 and 30, 2018. This analysis was attended by more than 60 national and regional stakeholders. A total of 15 SDG targets were prioritized for this exercise.

Outcomes and Impacts

Based on the results, SEI made recommendations to the mining-energy sector on how to better address socio-environmental issues in its plans and projection models, and how to promote synergies between the targets studied.