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Learn more about the SDG Accelerator's mission to align climate (SDG13) and health (SDG3) goals in cities (SDG11), in partnership with relevant stakeholders (SDG17) and in synergy with other UN SDGs.
Photo: Boonyachoat / iStockphoto
Purpose
The SDG Research Accelerator is a research-led and transdisciplinary initiative that aims to produce scientific evidence through processes of participatory engagement between researchers and societal stakeholders in order to advance the understanding and implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) towards sustainable urban transformations. It is primarily focusing on understanding how climate (SDG13), health (SDG3) and urban (SDG11) goals can be aligned in cities, in partnership with communities, policymakers and industry (SDG17), and in synergy with other SDGs.
Mission
To meet the United Nations Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, the UK have to rapidly advance the implementation of its 17 UN SDG goals and targets. The Accelerator’s mission is to undertake activities that support action in this area and, reach out to, inform and impact relevant policy and industry processes in the built environment. This is underlined by three key principles:
- A focus on challenge-driven research which seeks actionable solutions to real-life policy challenges.
- A relational model of engagement that relies on knowledge sharing and co-creation.
- Active support of local, national and international policymaking processes.
Policy Support and Impact
The UCL SDG Research Accelerator is using knowledge and scientific research to influence the development and implementation of urban sustainability policies by politicians and civil servants.
- Working with Islington Council in London
The Climate and Health Metrics of Green Adaptation in Islington (CRAFTIslington) is a public policy rapid response project which supports the London Borough of Islington to develop climate and health metrics for green infrastructure adaptation initiatives, and gauge synergies and tensions with the borough’s emerging Climate Action Strategy. We work closely with Islington Green Finance for Pocket Parks Framework and Islington Health Determinants Research Collaboration.
- Supporting UK Climate Change Committee’s work
The Policy and Implementation for Climate & Health Equity (PAICE) project seeks to directly influence national policy development and implementation through the pivotal Climate Chance Committee (CCC) and by sharing findings with G7 partners. It aims to work with the CCC to map and analyse policy opportunities; build a model of the effects of these policies on population health, health equity and greenhouse gas emissions; and apply the findings to the CCC monitoring framework which is used for government reporting. In addition, we work with the GLA and a number of other local authorities.
- Supporting the GLA to localize the Sustainable Housing Target SDG11.1
Since 2022, we have worked with the Greater London Authority (GLA), ONS and a number of London Boroughs to support their understanding and monitoring of the UN’s sustainable housing target (SDG11.1), defined as ‘housing that is adequate, safe and affordable for all.’ The work in mainly focusing on the social housing stock own both by councils and registered social landlords in England.
- Developing with RICS a Health & Wellbeing platform for built environment professionals
The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) platform isurv provide practical information and guidance for professionals and students in the industry. Alongside the commentary there are additional resources, such as template forms, checklists, case studies and access to the professional standards. It is subscribed to by most of the major UK surveying firms, many local authorities and RICS-accredited universities as well as some major non-surveying firms. Under the sustainability channel, we will provide new content in early 2025 to guide the professional community on health and wellbeing aspects relevant to the built environment.
- Scientific input into OEDC reports for Wellbeing in the Built Environment
The Built Environment through a Wellbeing Lens report explores how the built environment (i.e. housing, transport, infrastructure and urban planning) interacts with people’s lives and affects their wellbeing and frames sustainable transformations, by drawing on OECD’s Wellbeing Framework. We have led on the Housing section, outlining main debates in the literature; implications for measurement; current practice; amnd making recommandations for future policy by showcasing policy examples of housing-wellbeing integration in the built environment.
- Scientific input into UNEP 7th Global Engagement Outlook assessment
The 7th Global Environment Outlook (GEO-7) is the UNEP’s flagship environmental assessment, due in 2026. The GEO-7 assessment is developed by scientists under the mandate of Member States and in extensive consultation with key stakeholders, and bears resemblance to IPCC assessments. We coordinate a team of scientists that develops the GEO-7 assessment’s last chapter, titled ‘Driving the Transformation.’
- Advancing the cities agenda at COPs
Cities have been essential to fighting the climate crisis for a long time, but their importance is only now starting to be recognised at the annual United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP) global climate summits. We are advocating for the inclusion of cities in COP processes and their inclusion in National Determined Contributions (NDCs), Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) and Lost and Damage Fund negotiations and discussions. To do so we work closely with UN Habitat and Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) constituencies.
- Contributing to EU’s 2024-2029 strategic policy outlook
Via engagement with the European Environment Agency (EEA), we have imputed into the European Union new policy cycle, 2024-2029. This included considering alternative future configurations of the present political priorities and dimensions such as competitiveness, security, climate and environment, and fairness; but also providing evidence for the opportunities and challenges for achieving the EU long-term vision of ‘living well within the limits of the planet’. This will be published in 2024, in the run-up to the EEA’s flagship State and Outlook of the European Environment Report 2025.