To assess the impact select policies will have in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), stakeholders in Bolivia and South Africa applied the ICAT Assessment Guide for Sustainable Development.
The methodology helps policymakers and others assess multiple development and climate impacts across environmental, social and economic dimensions. The methodology can further help advance policies that contribute to multiple SDGs and priorities, build support for climate actions, and inform policy design and implementation to maximize positive impacts and avoid or address unintended impacts.
Assessing sustainable development
When a broad set of climate and sustainable development impacts are assessed before and after policy implementation, the intended actions are more likely to be effective and durable, generate positive benefits for society, and achieve desired climate and development outcomes.
Bolivia
In Bolivia, the ICAT Assessment Guide for Sustainable Development was applied to identify and analyze the impact of the implementation of the Carbon Footprint Project in five cities across Bolivia in generating and collecting information to report their progress towards the SDGs and the Cities Readiness Indicator. The assessment showed that the impact of the project has been significant and beneficial. The assessment further showed that the five cities had not aligned and reported their progress towards the SDGs and CRI prior to the implementation of the project – but were then encouraged to do so.
View pilot summary here
South Africa
In South Africa, the Guide was applied to understand the likely sustainable development impacts of a draft policy for biodiversity in light of the policy’s multiple objectives, its reliance on the sustainable use of natural resources for success, and shared objectives with sustainable development and climate policy. The assessment showed that if implemented, South Africa’s policy on biodiversity is expected to have an impact on 12 SDGs.
Engaging stakeholders is key to success
In both pilot studies, engaging stakeholders at all levels played a key role in the assessment and were useful in gaining a better understanding of the policy landscape and impacts.
The studies also show that whether sustainable development impacts are assessed before or after policy implementation, the Guide can help demonstrate socioeconomic benefits of climate actions to build support and strengthen justification for actions or further actions.
For more information about any of the pilots featured or on how to use the ICAT Assessment Guide for Sustainable development, please contact the ICAT Secretariat.
