Research highlights how global action can deliver transformative change for the planet

Dr Souran Chatterjee played a significant role in the science team behind a major report published by the United Nations
Perspective view of empty concrete floor with cement structure and wooden wall building exterior. 3d rendering. SDG9
Dr Souran Chatterjee , from the University of Plymouth, has made a major contribution to a second United Nations report exploring the best ways of harnessing climate change and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) synergies.
The 2024 Global Report on Climate and SDG Synergy – titled Bridging the Ambition Gap for the Future We Want – was launched at a High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York.
It was developed by the UN’s Expert Group on Climate and SDG Synergy, jointly convened by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and the Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
With inputs from over 100 multi-stakeholder experts, it emphasises the need for issues affecting the planet to be addressed at both a global and domestic scale.
It also calls for greater focus on enhancing synergies in policy instruments, knowledge sharing, financial mechanisms, and leveraging cities for sustainable development.
Dr Chatterjee, Lecturer in Energy Transitions – Environmental Management & Sustainability, played a significant role in the science team whose research underpins the new report.
It is the second report of this nature he has worked on, with the first – published in September 2023 – saying that aggressively acting on climate and development in an integrated way would create important opportunities to protect our planet now and in the future.
The new report was developed in conjunction with researchers, local authorities and global organisations – including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – all over the world.
It looks in more detail at how those ambitions can be realised, and includes 10 recommendations designed to achieve the deep transformative changes required.

There are a number of key messages emerging from this new report. Foremost among them is that we need to focus efforts on reducing the global demand for energy, as that will have greater benefits for the health of the planet than other actions being talked about.

We need policies that are truly transformative because the process of taking small steps and setting time-limited targets really isn’t working any more. We also need to look at ways to better use data to drive global knowledge, and explore how we can encourage the use of standard terms and phrases when we are talking about global issues. That may sound simple, but if we are looking to inspire action it is really important for every level of society to know precisely what is being talked about and what they are being asked to do.

Souran ChatterjeeDr Souran Chatterjee
Lecturer in Energy Transitions – Environmental Management & Sustainability

Bridging the Ambition Gap for the Future We Want

Our world faces simultaneous crises, each threatening our collective existence. The last twelve months were the hottest on record, and the latest data shows that only 17 per cent of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are on track, with progress stalled or regressed on over one-third of the goals. Deep transformative solutions are urgently needed.
UN report - Bridging the Ambition Gap for the Future We Want

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Research with the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences