A policy nexus approach to forests and the SDGs: tradeoffs and synergies

The transformational potential of Agenda 2030 lies in the synergies to be found among the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs were designed to be interdependent, requiring enhanced policy coherence for sustainable development, and forests have a prominent role to play in their success. To support SDGs integration and highlight challenges to, and opportunities for, policy coherence among sectors that affect forests, we identify three policy clusters that are each defined by a set of closely related SDGs: ecosystem services and livelihoods; the green economy; and rights, justice, equality and inclusion. We illustrate how enhanced policy coherence within each cluster can support integrated approaches that both benefit from, and provide support for, forests.