3.F. Round table: Advancing the sustainable development goals through intersectoral actions: using co-benefits
Authors:   Organised by: European Observatory,   Chair persons: Matthias Wismar (European Observatory), Scott Greer (USA)
Published: October 2021

Objectives

The aim of the workshop is to analyze how health can contribute to the attainment of the non-health related sustainable development goals (SDGs). To this end, we will discuss two separate though interrelated specific objectives:

Background

Country responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have demonstrated that large scale intersectoral action for health is possible- if the policy issue is of high importance and sufficiently consensual. The problem this workshop addresses is how to keep this invaluable intersectoral work flourishing long after the COVID-19 pandemic has passed. Put differently, how can intersectoral work with the health sector continue to lead to increased health benefits as well as increased benefits for other sectors? One way to do this is the use of co-benefits in intersectoral action. Co-benefits are substantial and specific benefits to the other sectors that can be gained by investing in health-related programs. Co-benefits can be referred to as the intended positive side effects of a policy or intervention. Co-benefits avoid imposing its health objectives on other sectors but rather aims at contributing to the other sectors objectives.

The panel will discuss the following cross-cutting issues

the economics of co-benefits in intersectoral actions the governance and politics of co-benefits in intersectoral action

To make the discussion as concrete as possible the panelists will focus on the following SDGS:

SDG4 Quality education SDG9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure SDG10 Reduced inequalities SDG13 Climate action

Added value

The SDGs progress is uneven and sluggish. They have, however, become a benchmark for solving the most pressing issues humanity, the environment and the planet are confronted with. Discussing co-benefits as a way to advance intersectoral action and the attainment of the SDGs adds therefore great value. Coherence between presentations and the topic of the workshop: four SDGs have been selected to discuss exemplary the economics, governance and politics of intersectoral action based on co-benefits. Each of the panelist will therefore tie their contribution very closely to the topic of the workshop even though they are speaking on different SDGs.

Interactivity

After introducing the topic the panel discussion will go in three rounds addressing different aspects: a) the economics of co-benefits (magnitude, low hanging fruits); b) the intersectoral structures used to advance intersectoral actions c) the political force field and contexts in which to advance intersectoral action. In between these rounds the chair will pick up questions coming through the chat-box and feed them to the panelists.

Speakers/Panelists

Charley E. Willison Cornell University, New York, USA Elize Fonseca Getulio Vargas Foundation, Sao Paulo, Brazil Kanayo Ogujiuba University of Mpumalanga, Mbombela, South Africa Kristine Sørensen Global Health Literacy Academy, Risskov, Denmark Marc Suhrcke Luxembourg Institute of Socio-economic Research, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luksemburg

Key messages

Don’t ask what other sectors can do for health, as what health can do for other sectors. Co-benefits combine the economics, governance and politics of addressing the sustainable development goals.