Work

Mapping governance interactions among the Paris Agreement and SDG1 in Sub-Saharan African countries

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are interdependent with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), yet they are often formulated and implemented separately. Poorly aligned climate policies can deepen poverty, while poverty reduction strategies reliant on growth-driven models risk environmental harm. Addressing these challenges requires a governance nexus approach, yet little is understood about how this operates in the context of the global South. Against this background, this study examines the governance interactions between poverty reduction (SDG1) and climate commitments proposed in 49 Sub-Saharan African countries’ NDCs. Using data from the novel governance nexus framework across three categories of governance interactions, the paper develops the Poverty Engagement Score (PES), applied to measure and compare the NDC-SDG1 governance nexus in SSA. The findings reveal limited governance interactions among NDCs and SDG1, which suggests that current climate commitments have a low potential to meaningfully contribute to the attainment of SDG1.

Source: Earth System Governance

DOI: 10.1016/j.esg.2026.100327

Authors: Eszter Szedlacsek, Mathieu Blondeel, Philipp Pattberg

Institutions: Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Language: English

Topic: Climate Change Policy and Economics

Subfield: Economics and Econometrics

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Partnerships for the goals, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,180