Making stakeholder knowledge on SDG interaction explicit -a Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) approach

36 Pages Posted: 13 Dec 2024

See all articles by Eva Wretschitsch

Eva Wretschitsch

BOKU University, Vienna

Nathalie Spittler

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Gerda Palmetshofer

Independent

Meike Bukowski

Independent

Friedrich Hinterberger

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Mathias Kirchner

Universität für Bodenkultur Wien (BOKU)

Date Written: November 30, 2024

Abstract

This study explores stakeholder knowledge on interactions between Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through participatory system mapping and Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs). We focus on SDG1/10 (reduce poverty/reduce inequality), SDG8 (decent work and economic growth), and SDG13 (climate action), aiming to make implicit mental models of SDG interactions explicit and compare them with the iSDG-AT model for Austria. A participatory workshop involving diverse stakeholders was conducted to elicit variables and dynamics underpinning five key indicators: energy poverty (SDG1/10), real GDP per capita (SDG8), work satisfaction (SDG8), total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (SDG13), and GHG emissions from the building sector (SDG13). The CLDs developed by the participants were digitalized, refined and connected to highlight feedback loops, synergies, and trade-offs. Results indicate that household income acts as a central variable linking multiple SDGs, with significant synergies between economic and social indicators but notable trade-offs with environmental outcomes. This paper provides insights into integrating stakeholder knowledge to support more informed policy decisions. It also establishes a shared system understanding to guide further research within the ACRP-funded SDGVisionPath project.

Keywords: Causal Loop Diagram, Participatory Knowledge Integration, Sustainable Development Goals, climate action, poverty, economic growth

Suggested Citation

Wretschitsch, Eva and Spittler, Nathalie and Palmetshofer, Gerda and Bukowski, Meike and Hinterberger, Friedrich and Kirchner, Mathias, Making stakeholder knowledge on SDG interaction explicit -a Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) approach (November 30, 2024). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=5050706 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5050706

Eva Wretschitsch

BOKU University, Vienna ( email )

Nathalie Spittler

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

No Address Available

Gerda Palmetshofer

Independent ( email )

Meike Bukowski

Independent

Friedrich Hinterberger

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

Mathias Kirchner (Contact Author)

Universität für Bodenkultur Wien (BOKU) ( email )

Dänenstraße 4
Wien, Vienna 8010
Austria

HOME PAGE: http://futures.boku.ac.at

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