Climate indicators and sustainable development: demonstrating the interconnections

The aim of this report is to demonstrate the connections between the global climate and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which go far beyond SDG 13 for climate action. It also champions the need for greater international collaboration, which is essential for achieving the SDGs, and for limiting global warming to less than 2 °C or even 1.5 °C by the end of this century. It is hoped that this report can serve as a basis for more interdisciplinary research and collaboration, improved policy development and stronger commitment to both the SDGs and climate action.

 It highlights seven climate indicators whose impacts span the SDGs:

• Carbon dioxide concentration
• Temperature
• Ocean acidification
• Ocean heat content
• Sea-ice extent
• Glacier mass balance
• Sea-level rise.