Strengthening the Science-Policy Interface to address the triple planetary Crises – Geneva Environment Network

Report on the Role of Science-Policy Interfaces in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Addressing Global Environmental Crises through Evidence-Based Policy

Science-Policy Interfaces (SPIs) are fundamental mechanisms for integrating scientific evidence into policy-making processes. Their role is increasingly critical in the context of the triple planetary crisis—climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution—which poses a significant threat to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Addressing these interconnected challenges is essential for making progress on numerous Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including but not limited to:

• SDG 13 (Climate Action)
• SDG 14 (Life Below Water)
• SDG 15 (Life on Land)
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)
• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)

Key Intergovernmental Bodies and their Contribution to the SDGs

Several independent, international, and intergovernmental bodies have been established to provide policymakers with the scientific assessments needed to make informed decisions. These SPIs directly support the implementation of the SDGs by providing data and analysis on critical environmental issues.

1. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): Provides comprehensive assessments of climate change science, directly informing global efforts to achieve SDG 13 (Climate Action).
2. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES): Assesses the state of biodiversity and ecosystem services, providing the scientific foundation for policies aimed at meeting SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
3. The International Resource Panel (IRP): Offers independent scientific assessments on the sustainable use of natural resources, supporting the transition towards sustainable consumption and production patterns as outlined in SDG 12.

Global Frameworks Supporting the 2030 Agenda

SPIs play a vital role in supporting Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and global frameworks that set targets for tackling the planetary crisis. These agreements are primary instruments for the national-level implementation of the environmental dimensions of the SDGs.

• The Paris Agreement: A legally binding international treaty on climate change, central to the implementation of SDG 13.
• The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: Aims to halt and reverse nature loss, directly contributing to SDG 14 and SDG 15.
• The Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste (GFC): Supports the sound management of chemicals and waste, which is crucial for SDG 3, SDG 6, and SDG 12.

Forthcoming Event: The Geneva Science-Policy Day

To further strengthen the nexus between science and policy for the SDGs, the Geneva Environment Network will convene a Science-Policy Day in December 2025. This event is strategically timed to follow the launch of the seventh edition of the Global Environmental Outlook (GEO-7) at the Seventh United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7). It also precedes the inaugural session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution Prevention (ISP-CWP) in February 2026. The day will focus on enhancing collaboration and partnerships, a core principle of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), to accelerate the translation of scientific knowledge into actionable policy for sustainable development.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed

• SDG 13: Climate Action – Directly addressed through the mention of the “triple planetary crisis,” specifically “climate change,” and the reference to the Paris Agreement as a key global deal to tackle this issue.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water – Connected through the issue of “biodiversity loss,” which includes marine and coastal ecosystems. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, mentioned in the text, covers all biodiversity, including aquatic life.
• SDG 15: Life on Land – Directly addressed by the mention of “biodiversity loss” and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to halt and reverse the degradation of terrestrial ecosystems.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Addressed through the crisis of “pollution” and the specific mention of the “Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste (GFC),” which focuses on the sound management of chemicals and waste.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – This is a central theme of the article. The entire discussion revolves around strengthening Science-Policy Interfaces (SPIs), Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), and international cooperation to translate scientific knowledge into policy and tackle global crises collectively.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The article explicitly mentions global deals like the Paris Agreement and “the instruments for their implementation at the national level,” which directly aligns with this target.

2. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species. The article’s focus on “biodiversity loss” and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework directly supports the objective of this target.

3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment. This is directly addressed by the reference to the “Global Framework on Chemicals – For a Planet Free of Harm from Chemicals and Waste (GFC).”

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.14: Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development. The article’s core subject, Science-Policy Interfaces (SPIs), is described as being “critical for translating scientific knowledge into effective and actionable policy,” which is the essence of enhancing policy coherence.
   • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources. The article highlights the role of “independent, international, and intergovernmental bodies” and MEAs in promoting “international cooperation,” which are forms of global and multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

• Adoption and implementation of international agreements: The article implies that the successful negotiation and national implementation of MEAs such as the Paris Agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and the Global Framework on Chemicals serve as key indicators of progress.
• Establishment and effectiveness of Science-Policy Interfaces (SPIs): The article presents SPIs as a crucial mechanism. Therefore, the number of established SPIs and their successful use in supporting policymakers to make “informed, science-based decisions” can be considered an implied indicator of enhanced policy coherence (Target 17.14).
• Publication of global assessment reports: The mention of the “seventh edition of the Global Environmental Outlook (GEO-7)” implies that such reports are used to measure the state of the global environment and, by extension, progress towards environmental goals and targets. These reports serve as a critical monitoring and assessment tool.

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: genevaenvironmentnetwork.org