Project Syndicate: A Scientific Method for the SDGs
Anne-Sophie Stevance, science officer at the International Council for Science, and David McCollum, research scholar at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis

“…If our leaders are ever to realize the world envisioned in the [Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)], they will need a roadmap for navigating the complex policymaking terrain. … The International Council for Science (ICSU) recently brought together 22 scientists from various fields … to come up with SDG-specific insights for world leaders to follow. By studying how different goals and targets relate to one another, we developed an independent analytical framework to help leaders prioritize policies within their own countries. … Our analytical framework can help countries figure out which SDGs benefit others, and which do not. With it, policymakers can prioritize goals and investments; map existing resources and identify budget gaps; and establish mechanisms for sharing data and information across sectors. … [E]ach country will need to monitor its progress toward each SDG, and revise its approach as needed. This will require diligence from all policymakers. But the potential return on investment, not least a better planet for generations to come, is enormous…” (6/6).