Polar regions are critical in achieving global sustainable development goals
As important components of global commons, environmental changes in polar regions are crucial to the local and global sustainability. However, they have received little attention in the current framework of sustainable development goals (SDGs). This study examines the impacts of climate change in polar regions, emphasizing the interconnectedness of these areas with other parts of the global system. Here we show that polar regions are a limiting factor in achieving global SDGs, similar to the "shortest stave" in Liebig's barrel, primarily due to the teleconnection effects of climate tipping elements. Proactive actions should ensure polar regions aren't left behind in achieving global SDGs. We proposed a specific SDG target and five indicators for the interconnected effect of the cryosphere on climate actions and incorporate considerations for Indigenous peoples in polar regions. With the right actions and strengthened global partnerships, polar regions can be pivotal for advancing global sustainable development.
Authors
- Anmin Duan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3022-2582)
- Rui Jin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4544-6535)
- Min Feng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7456-7534)
- Jianbin Su (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3251-9467)
- Donghui Shangguan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9975-0722)
- Youhua Ran (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7774-4612)
- Huadong Guo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0337-1862)
- Tao Che (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6848-7271)
- Xin Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2999-9818)
- Lei Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7201-8715)
- Jie Deng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1081-7869)
- Guodong Cheng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2758-6211)
- Xiaoyu Song (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6030-7827)
- Deliang Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0288-5618)
- Xinwu Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0953-3618)
- Bin Cao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3274-400X)
Institutions
- Xiamen University (CN)
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
- Shanghai Normal University (CN)
- Beijing Institute of Big Data Research (CN)
- Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources (CN)
- Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research (CN)
- University of Gothenburg (SE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2025-04-24
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59178-3
- Citations
- 16
- Primary Topic
- Arctic and Russian Policy Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 67.22
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China