OR/17/039 Prioritising the UN sustainable development goals

Gill, J C, Mills, K, and Mankelow, J. 2017. Workshop report: earth and environmental science for sustainable development (Nairobi, March 2017). British Geological Survey Internal Report, OR/17/039. (Contributors/editors: Ellis, M, Lapworth, D, Ludden, J, Rees, G (CEH), Smith, M, and Watts, M).

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an ambitious set of 17 goals and 169 targets, agreed by members of the United Nations in September 2015. Over a 15-year timeframe (2015–2030), the SDGs aim to: (i) eradicate global poverty, (ii) end unsustainable consumption patterns, and (iii) facilitate sustained and inclusive economic growth, social development, and environmental protection (United Nations, 2017).

This workshop used activities to determine stakeholder perspectives on development priorities in eastern Africa, using the SDGs as a reference tool. Participants first shared their individual perspectives on high priority SDGs using a matrix worksheet (Individual perspectives on priority SDGs). Small groups then discussed the SDGs, coming to a consensus on their relative importance and the highest priority SDGs in an eastern African context (Group perspectives on priority SDGs). Participants also documented specific challenges associated with priority SDGs (Characterising specific challenges) and identified SDGs that they believe Earth and environmental science could make the biggest contribution to delivering (Earth and environmental science). These results are discussed in the context of development needs assessment (Discussion and limitations).

Individual perspectives on priority SDGs

Overview and method

Using a blank matrix (Figure 1), participants were asked to identify (i) four SDGs that they consider to be of highest importance in an eastern African context, and (ii) four SDGs that they consider to be of highest importance in a Kenyan context. Participants were encouraged to do this individually, ensuring that every workshop participant had their perspectives recorded.

Results

Twenty-eight participants submitted completed worksheets for this exercise, with four (14%) of these invalid due to multiple boxes being ticked per column. Of the remaining 24 (86%) of submissions, 22 included information relating to both eastern Africa and Kenya, and 2 included information only relating to Kenya. Figure 2 shows the results of this exercise for eastern Africa and Kenya. Numbers in the columns labelled 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th relate to the number of participants selecting the SDG as a priority. The column labelled ‘Weighted Total’ sums the number of participants in each column, applying a weighting depending on whether participants selected it as their 1st, 2nd… choice. The formula expressed in Equation 1 outlines this weighting. Orange shading is used in Figure 2 to help visualise the relative Weighted Total values.

𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 4[𝑛1𝑠𝑡] + 3[𝑛2𝑛𝑑] + 2[𝑛3𝑟𝑑] + 1[𝑛4𝑡ℎ]             Equation 1

Using Figure 2, we can identify the SDGs with the highest Weighted Total (WT) values. This is indicative of the group collectively considering the SDG to be a high development priority.

Eastern Africa

Zero Hunger (SDG 2, WT=30) emerges as being the highest development priority, followed by Quality Education (SDG 4, WT=26), No Poverty (SDG 1, WT=23), Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6, WT=23), and Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG 3, WT=21). Together these five SDGs represent the first choice (highest priority) SDG of 73% of participants, and 58% of all possible selections. A second cluster of SDGs with lower Weighted Totals (12–16) includes work and economic growth (SDG 8), peace, justice and strong institutions (SDG 16), and partnerships for the SDGs (SDG 17).

Kenya

Zero Hunger (SDG 2, WT=47) again emerges as the highest development priority, followed by Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6, WT=35), No Poverty (SDG 1, WT=34), Quality Education (SDG 4, WT=26), and Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG 3, WT=21). Together these five SDGs represent the first choice (highest priority) SDG of 75% of participants, and 63% of all possible selections. A second cluster of SDGs with lower Weighted Totals (9–12) includes gender equality (SDG 5), energy (SDG 7), work and economic growth (SDG 8), and life on land (SDG 15).

These results are a reflection of the expertise and experience of those attending the workshop, with perspectives from at least 16 diverse organisations included. There is stronger consensus on the development priorities for Kenya (national scale) than eastern Africa (regional scale). This is expected given the Kenyan focus of participants. We discuss these results in Discussion and limitations.

Figure 1    Workshop Matrix. A blank workshop matrix, used by participants to express their perspectives on high priority SDGs in Eastern Africa and Kenya.

Figure 2     Sum of Individual Perspectives on Priority SDGs. A synthesis of 24 perspectives on the SDGs (Figure 1), with the ‘Weighted Total’ determined as expressed in Equation 1. Shading is used to visualise priority SDGs.

Group perspectives on priority SDGs

Overview and method

Another insight into development objectives in eastern Africa was documented by asking small groups of participants to come up with a consensus on SDG priorities. Mixed-sector groups determined the four SDGs that they believed to be of greatest importance in an eastern African context. Group discussions were prolonged and dynamic, with groups developing arguments as to why they considered key SDGs to be relevant and important (Figure 3).

Figure 3    Discussing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Following dynamic discussions, groups selected the four SDGs they believed to be of highest priority in eastern Africa.

Results

Following participant discussion, each group had 10 voting stickers to allocate to their four priority SDGs. Voting was undertaken by placing stickers on appropriate SDG posters, with the 10 stickers being allocated in the proportion best suited to the group conclusion (e.g., 4-3-2-1, 3-3-2-2, or 4- 2-2-2 were all allowed). The distribution of group votes can be seen in Table 2.

From Table 2, we note that the SDGs ranked highest are Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6, 13 votes), No Poverty (SDG 1, 8 votes), Zero Hunger (SDG 2, 6 votes), Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG 3, 6 votes), and Quality Education (SDG 4, 6 votes). Together these five SDGs represent 78% of all possible votes. These results suggest that after opportunity for detailed group discussion, including the sharing of personal experiences and perspectives, groups converged on many of the same SDGs as indicated by summing individual perspectives (Individual perspectives on priority SDGs).

Table 2    Group Prioritisation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This second exercise allowed the capture of narrative on why certain SDGs were prioritised over others. A summary of comments justifying the selection of priority SDGs is provided in Table 3.

Table 3    Summary of comments justifying selection of priority SDGs

SDG	Summary	Votes	Justification for Selection
6	Clean Water and Sanitation	13	Basic need for survival; a potential source of conflict (international and national); significant role in hunger, health, poverty.
1	No Poverty	8
2	Zero Hunger	6	Motivation for everything; basic need for survival.
3	Good Health and Well-Being	6	Fundamental to everything.
4	Quality Education	6	Will help to address other priority goals.
15	Life on Land	3	Strong affinity to climate change; necessary for food security.
16	Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions	3	Provides framework conditions/foundation for all other activities.
9	Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure	2	Need innovation for smart agriculture and an improved economy; breaks down social barriers; helps produce more than consume.
13	Climate Action	2	Controls other activities (e.g., food production, clean water, sanitation).
17	Partnerships for the Goals	1

Emerging themes are the interconnectedness of the SDGs, and differences between resources needed immediately for survival (i.e., short-term development) and activities relating to long-term sustainable development. These results are further discussed in Discussion and limitations.

Characterising specific challenges

This exercise asked individuals and groups to add notes to SDG posters on specific challenges in eastern Africa associated with priority UN Sustainable Development Goals. For example, Figure 4 shows a range of specific challenges associated with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

Figure 4    Specific challenges in eastern Africa associated with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). Individuals and groups added notes on specific challenges to SDG posters. The information in the post-it notes is included in Table 4.

Table 4 outlines the challenges identified for each SDG. While groups were encouraged to focus on priority SDGs (see perspectives on priority SDGs), they were free to add comments on specific challenges to any of the SDG posters.

Table 4    Specific challenges and needs in eastern Africa associated
with UN Sustainable Development Goals

SDG	Summary	Specific Challenges and Needs
1	No Poverty	Uncoordinated aid; ineffective and poor governance; corruption; resilience to climate; lack on income and property; equal pay for equal work; gender inequality; illiteracy; cultural barriers; local attitudes and perceptions.
2	Zero Hunger	Crop productivity; poor farming practices; implementation of technology and mechanisation; land degradation; poor production and preservation methods; lack of dietary diversity; cultural barriers to food; lack of access due to cost; lack of good infrastructure; climate change, environmental and seasonal variability; shifts in planting and harvesting seasons.
3	Good Health and Well-Being	Lack of funding and capacity; cheap and clean energy; hunger; governance; remoteness; corruption; ignorance; lack of clean water; inadequate infrastructure; conflict; witchcraft; cultural barriers; poor waste management in urban areas; air/water/soil pollution; affordability of lifestyles; environmental factors; cultural and lifestyle habits.
4	Quality Education	Cost; poor governance; poverty; education system not valued; unemployment.
5	Gender Equality	Empowerment of women.
6	Clean Water and Sanitation	Corruption in the water sector, illegal connections; poor management and degradation of catchment areas; resources put into maintenance; pollution and water quality; resource mapping; loss of water mobility; inability to close water budget (e.g., leakage, over-abstraction, water waste); lack of data on water availability; poor water conservation; lack of awareness raising in communities; deforestation; climate change; depletion of groundwater; management of water sources; life cycle of water-supply solutions; maintenance of systems; lack of skills in water conservation and harvesting; low water availability; inadequate harvesting and storage; bad water management; management of infrastructure; inadequate and expensive technology for extraction and distribution; environmental degradation; exposure to sewage and contaminated, dirty water.
7	Affordable and Clean Energy	None stated.
8	Decent Work and Economic Growth	None stated.
9	Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure	Harness science and technology in our development.
10	Reduced Inequalities	None stated.
11	Sustainable Cities and Communities	None stated.
12	Responsible Consumption and Production	None stated.
13	Climate Action	None stated.
14	Life Below Water	None stated.
15	Life on Land	Integrated program of assessment and mitigation (science and solutions).
16	Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions	None stated.
17	Partnerships for the Goals	Integration of serious, meaningful and responsible (with decision-making powers) partnerships at all levels and among sectors.

These challenges and needs were a starting point for designing Earth and environmental science activities to support the delivery of the SDGs (Thematic working groups). Further discussion of these challenges, in the context of other results in this section, is included in Discussion and limitations.

Earth and environmental science

In addition to identifying priority SDGs in eastern Africa (Individual perspectives on priority SDGs – Group perspectives on priority SDGs) and specific challenges associated with these (Characterising specific challenges), participants were then asked to reflect on where Earth and environmental science can make the greatest contribution to development impact. Many of the SDGs require geological research and practice. Each workshop participant was given four voting stickers to place on the SDG posters they considered had a high requirement for Earth and environmental science research. The distribution of votes can be seen in Table 5.

Table 5    Earth and environmental science and the SDGs in eastern Africa. Sum of individual perspectives on where Earth and environmental science can have the biggest development impact in eastern Africa.

From Table 5, we note that the SDGs ranked highest in terms of a role for Earth and environmental science are Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6, 25 votes), Climate Action (SDG 13, 19 votes), Life on Land (SDG 15, 14 votes), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7, 13 votes), and Zero Hunger (SDG 2, 12 votes). Together these five SDGs represent 66% of all possible votes. Further discussion of these results is included in Discussion and limitations.

Discussion and limitations

Summary of key observations

From Individual perspectives on priority SDGs – Earth and environmental science', we can make the following observations and conclusions:

• Priority SDGs
  

Across both prioritisation exercises (Individual perspectives on priority SDGs and Group perspectives on priority SDGs), SDGs consistently selected as being of high importance in eastern African were Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), No Poverty (SDG 1), Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG 3), and Quality Education (SDG 4). These were the same when asked to consider Kenya only. The highest priority SDG using the method in Individual perspectives on priority SDGs was Zero Hunger (SDG 2), with the highest priority SDG using the method in Group perspectives on priority SDGs being Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6).

• Consistency of results
  

There was a high level of consistency between the results of the sum of individual perspectives (Individual perspectives on priority SDGs) and the group discussion exercise (Group perspectives on priority SDGs). If differences were highlighted, this could have been indicative of (i) a small number of strong personalities dominating group discussions, or (ii) significant numbers of people changing their mind after reflecting on the group discussion.

• Interconnectedness of SDGs
  

During the group discussions, an emerging theme was the interconnectedness of the SDGs (Group perspectives on priority SDGs). For example, actions to support one SDG could help reinforce or support another SDG. Inherent to tackling issues of water, health, food and/or poverty, are the need to build resilience to Climate Change (SDG 13), ensure access to Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), and reduce environmental degradation by protecting Life on Land (SDG 15). A development intervention or research project could also feasibly support multiple SDGs. For example, projects related to the food-water-energy nexus could relate to SDGs on poverty, food, water, energy, infrastructure, and climate. In their discussions, many groups were considering which SDGs were focal points, and would support the implementation of other SDGs.

• Immediate vs. long-term development
  

Many of the SDGs identified in Individual perspectives on priority SDGs and Group perspectives on priority SDGs as being high-priority SDGs are ‘basic needs’ and critical for survival (e.g., food, water, and health). These are likely to be of immediate importance to participants; especially given the recent contexts of drought and food insecurity (e.g., see ReliefWeb, 2017). Both immediate (humanitarian) and long-term (development) solutions are required to address these ‘basic needs’. Additional exercises could be developed for future workshops that ask participants to consider priority challenges in 10, 20 and 50-years from now. This would encourage participants to think beyond the current development landscape, and reflect on long-term development.

• Earth and environmental science
  

In the context of eastern Africa, SDGs ranking highest in terms of a role for Earth and environmental science (Earth and environmental science) were Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Climate Action (SDG 13), Life on Land (SDG 15), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), and Zero Hunger (SDG 2).

• Overlap of priority and science needs
  

SDGs identified as being both a high priority and having a significant role for Earth and environmental science (Individual perspectives on priority SDGs', Group perspectives on priority SDGs and Earth and environmental science) are therefore Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6) and Zero Hunger (SDG 2).

The information gathered during this two-day workshop provides additional context to the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and other records of development priorities. For example, at a regional scale the East African Community Vision 2050[2] and Kenya Vision 2030[3] offer regional and national scale visions for sustainable development. The latter includes an economic, social and political pillar, together with enablers and macro factors such as infrastructure, energy, science-technology-innovation, and human resources development.

Uncertainties and limitations

The perspectives discussed through this whole section are a function of the sectors and disciplines attending the workshop, and the personal expertise and experience of individuals attending the workshop. While a high diversity of sectors and disciplines were present, some key groups were under-represented. For example, the workshop was skewed towards Earth scientists, with few from political economy, social and economic sciences present. There was also limited diversity in terms of nationality, with most of the participants being from Kenya. Results relating to eastern Africa, therefore, should be considered to be the Kenyan perspective on regional development. This perspective can be confronted with other perspectives gathered beyond Kenya to explore if there is a regional consensus on development priorities, challenges and solutions.