Page 38 - Shelter, October 2024

Solving the Climate Emergency and Sustainable Development Challenges
Dr Kulwant Singh, Former Regional Advisor, UN-Habitat and ED (Rtd.), HSMI/HUDCO

The global community is significantly off track in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development and the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement. Despite some progress, benefits
are unevenly distributed, leaving many vulnerable populations exposed to increasing risks.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Report 2024 indicates that only 17% of SDG targets
are on track, with rising extreme poverty and hunger in many regions. Global emissions have
reached historic highs, and human displacement continues to escalate. Each increment of global
warming exacerbates the impacts of climate-related hazards like storms, wildfires, and droughts.
The next two years are critical; upcoming Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) due by
early 2025 will shape global emissions trajectories and must align with limiting warming to 1.5°C
above pre-industrial levels.
Seeking Synergy Solutions
The 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement are interconnected; neither can be realised without
the other. The Paris Agreement emphasizes the necessity of addressing climate change within
the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication. The United Nations Secretary-
General has urged countries to enhance their climate actions, emphasizing that climate initiatives
can drive progress across all SDGs. Integrated planning and coherent policies can mitigate trade-
offs, reduce social disparities, and protect the global climate.
A Roadmap for Action
Since 2019, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and the
UNFCCC have promoted synergies between climate action and the SDGs. The Fifth Global
Conference on Climate and SDG Synergies, held in September 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, gathered
policymakers and experts to discuss climate action and sustainable development. Dr. Kulwant
Singh, former Regional Advisor, UN-Habitat was invited from India to participate as a panellist.
He shared India’s ambitious climate plans, including a commitment to achieving net-zero
emissions by 2070 and has remained steadfast in its transition to renewable energy.

Outcomes of the Fifth Synergy Conference
The conference highlighted empirical evidence and case studies demonstrating the co-benefits
of climate action and SDGs. Key discussions included facilitating climate finance, mitigating
climate risks, and enhancing adaptation and resilience. Emphasizing public participation,
particularly from vulnerable groups in Latin America and the Caribbean, the conference aimed
to build capacity and advance understanding of these interconnected issues.

Key Recommendations
1. Urgent action is needed to tackle development and climate challenges, aiming for the SDGs
and limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
2. Political commitment is essential for achieving synergistic solutions.
3. Evidence shows that the co-benefits of integrated actions outweigh potential trade-offs.
4. Breaking down silos and addressing fragmentation are crucial for holistic approaches.
5. Inclusive processes must guide adaptation, mitigation, and SDG implementation,
prioritizing the voices of the most vulnerable.
6. Coordinated multi-stakeholder partnerships are vital for advancing synergies.

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