Bleak prospects and targeted actions for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

Interactions among sustainable development goals unveil regional priorities in the Loess Plateau of China

Effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is the key to regional development. Current research on SDGs at the regional level focuses more on the overall performance but neglects the evenness among SDGs and the prioritization in the context of limited resources. There is still a lack of systematic assessment on how to realize fair and efficient sustainable paths in SDG synergies and trade-offs. We constructed an analytical framework covering SDG score, evenness score, and correlation network and identified the regional development priorities via a four-quadrant analysis integrating SDG progress rate and network influence. The findings indicate that the SDG score of Loess Plateau increased from 42.9 in 2000 to 52.9 in 2020. However, the performance of individual SDGs varied greatly, with SDG6 (Clean water and sanitation) being outstanding, while SDG17 (Partnerships for the goals) lagged behind. The SDGs and evenness index in the southeastern region generally performed better than that in the northwestern region. The interactions among SDGs were dominated by synergistic relationships, with SDG1 (No poverty), SDG3 (Good health and well-being), and SDG6 in particular showing a high degree of synergy with the other goals. SDG4 (Quality education), SDG9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure), and SDG10 (Reduced inequalities) were identified as prior goals in various regions. These results provide an empirical foundation for target ranking and policy focusing, as well as a decision-making reference for sustainable transformation paths in similar regions.

Optimizing cover crop practices as a sustainable solution for global agroecosystem services

The practice of cover crops has gained popularity as a strategy to improve agricultural sustainability, but its full potential is often limited by environmental trade-offs. Using meta-analytic and data-driven quantifications of 2302 observations, we optimized cover crop practices and evaluated their benefits for global agroecosystems. Cover crops have historically boosted crop yields, soil carbon storage, and stability, but also stimulated greenhouse gas emissions. However, combining them with long-term implementation (five years or more) and climate-smart practices (such as no-tillage) can enhance these services synergistically. A biculture of legume and non-legume cover crops, terminated 25 days before planting the next crop and followed by residue mulching, is the optimal portfolio. Such optimized practices are projected to increase agroecosystem multiservices by 1.25%, equivalent to annual gains of 97.7 million metric tons in crop production, 21.7 billion metric tons in carbon dioxide sequestration, and 2.41 billion metric tons in soil erosion reduction. By 2100, the continued implementation of optimized practices could mitigate climate-related yield losses and contribute to climate neutrality and soil stabilization, especially in harsh and underdeveloped areas. These findings underscore the promising potential of optimized cover crop practices to achieve the synergy in food security and environmental protection.

Multi-objective ecological restoration priority in China: Cost-benefit optimization in different ecological performance regimes based on planetary boundaries

In the context of the "United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration", optimizing spatiotemporal arrangements for ecological restoration is an important approach to enhancing overall socioecological benefits for sustainable development. However, against the background of ecological degradation caused by the human use of most natural resources at levels that have approached or exceeded the safe and sustainable boundaries of ecosystems, it is key to explain how to optimize ecological restoration by classified management and optimal total benefits. In response to these issues, we combined spatial heterogeneity and temporal dynamics at the national scale in China to construct five ecological performance regimes defined by indicators that use planetary boundaries and ecological pressures which served as the basis for prioritizing ecological restoration areas and implementing zoning control. By integrating habitat conservation, biodiversity, water supply, and restoration cost constraints, seven ecological restoration scenarios were simulated to optimize the spatial layout of ecological restoration projects (ERPs). The results indicated that the provinces with unsustainable freshwater use, climate change, and land use accounted for more than 25%, 66.7%, and 25%, respectively, of the total area. Only 30% of the provinces experienced a decrease in environmental pressure. Based on the ecological performance regimes, ERP sites spanning the past 20 years were identified, and more than 50% of the priority areas were clustered in regime areas with increased ecological stress. As the restoration area targets doubled (40%) from the baseline (20%), a multi-objective scenario presents a trade-off between expanded ERPs in areas with highly beneficial effects and minimal restoration costs. In conclusion, a reasonable classification and management regime is the basis for targeted restoration. Coordinating multiple objectives and costs in ecological restoration is the key to maximizing socio-ecological benefits. Our study offered new perspectives on systematic and sustainable planning for ecological restoration.

Unraveling interactions and priorities under sustainable development goals in less-developed mountainous areas: case study on the National Innovation Demonstration Zone for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, China

Understanding the intricate relationships between progress and the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is vital for informed and adaptable sustainable development policy formulation. This study focused on the Lincang National Innovation Demonstration Zone for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (LC-NIDZASD) in China. By evaluating sustainability scores at the county level from 2011 to 2020, the trade-offs and synergies among SDGs were explored. Priority SDGs for development were identified, and targeted recommendations were established based on these findings. The key findings are as follows: (1) The SDG index scores of Lincang and its counties showed an increase from 2011 to 2020, with scores riding from 42.1 to 52.2. SDG6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG12 (Responsible Production and Consumption) had the highest scores, while SDG1 (No Poverty) and SDG4 (Quality Education) increased significantly. However, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a decrease in the scores of SDG1, SDG8 (Decent Jobs and Economic Growth), and SDG17 (Partnerships for the Goals) in 2020 decreased compared to 2019. Decreased scores in SDG13 (Climate Action) and SDG15 (Life on Land) may be attributable to climate change. (2) The relationship between "Objectives" and ''Governance" appears to be synergistic, while ''Essential Needs" mainly shows a trade-off relationship with ''Objectives" and ''Governance." (3) To promote achievements in the construction of LC-NIDZASD, priority should be given to SDG3 (Health and Well-Being), SDG8, SDG9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG12; SDG4 should not be ignored. (4) Overall, Lincang has made significant progress in sustainable development. However, to further consolidate these achievements, adjustments should be made for SDG7 (Energy Consumption and Production Structure). Efforts should be made to strengthen climate governance measures and improve warning and forecasting capabilities to promote the synergistic development of SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG13 with other SDGs. This study's dynamic monitoring of changes in the SDGs in Lincang provides valuable insights into the synergies and trade-offs among these goals. Appropriate prioritization across various SDGs can allow for timely adjustments in sustainable management policies, ultimately contributing to the successful operation of the LC-NIDZASD.