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Intranational synergies and trade-offs reveal common and differentiated priorities of sustainable development goals in China

Author

Listed:
  • Qiang Xing

    (International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Chaoyang Wu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Fang Chen

    (International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals
    Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jianguo Liu

    (Michigan State University)

  • Prajal Pradhan

    (University of Groningen
    Member of the Leibniz Association)

  • Brett A. Bryan

    (Deakin University)

  • Thomas Schaubroeck

    (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology)

  • L. Roman Carrasco

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Alemu Gonsamo

    (McMaster University)

  • Yunkai Li

    (China Agricultural University)

  • Xiuzhi Chen

    (China Agricultural University)

  • Xiangzheng Deng

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Andrea Albanese

    (Porte des Sciences)

  • Yingjie Li

    (Michigan State University
    Stanford University)

  • Zhenci Xu

    (the University of Hong Kong)

Abstract

Accelerating efforts for the Sustainable Development Goals requires understanding their synergies and trade-offs at the national and sub-national levels, which will help identify the key hurdles and opportunities to prioritize them in an indivisible manner for a country. Here, we present the importance of the 17 goals through synergy and trade-off networks. Our results reveal that 19 provinces show the highest trade-offs in SDG13 (Combating Climate Change) or SDG5 (Gender Equality) consistent with the national level, with other 12 provinces varying. 24 provinces show the highest synergies in SDG1 (No Poverty) or SDG6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) consistent with the national level, with the remaining 7 provinces varying. These common but differentiated SDG priorities reflect that to ensure a coordinated national response, China should pay more attention to the provincial situation, so that provincial governments can formulate more targeted policies in line with their own priorities towards accelerating sustainable development.

Suggested Citation

  • Qiang Xing & Chaoyang Wu & Fang Chen & Jianguo Liu & Prajal Pradhan & Brett A. Bryan & Thomas Schaubroeck & L. Roman Carrasco & Alemu Gonsamo & Yunkai Li & Xiuzhi Chen & Xiangzheng Deng & Andrea Alban, 2024. "Intranational synergies and trade-offs reveal common and differentiated priorities of sustainable development goals in China," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-46491-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46491-6
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