This working paper presents a framework to characterise interactions between different sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the context of the 2030 Agenda, which is relevant for both research and policy analysis to support a coherent implementation of the Agenda. The framework has been developed as part of a project led by the International Council for Science to explore an integrated and strategic approach to the implementation of the SDGs, recognizing the important interlinkages across the SDGs. While the scientific community has emphasized the need for a systems approach to sustainable development, scientists, like policymakers, are now facing the challenge of turning the goals into reality, and achieving progress across the economic, social and environmental dimensions worldwide. This paper presents a conceptual tool to start unpacking interlinkages across the Sustainable Development Goals and provide a common basis for scientists, policymakers and practitioners to jointly explore how the SDG puzzle fits together and how it can be successfully implemented.
