Leverage points or system traps? Identifying feedback loops inside the 2030 agenda

The complexity of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their interconnections presents a challenge for understanding how progress in one area influences others. This study develops a network-based approach to move beyond pairwise interactions and identify feedback loops that either reinforce or balance systemic change. By applying a cycle detection algorithm to networks of SDG target interactions in Europe, we identify persistent sequences of interlinkages that shape system behaviour across multiple domains. The findings highlight key entry points for intervention, particularly in sustainable food production, climate action, and renewable energy, where leveraging target interactions is crucial for understanding systemic effects. The analysis further reveals that balancing and reinforcing feedback loops often share common structural patterns, suggesting that their influence depends more on the relationships between targets than on the targets themselves. To illustrate the applicability of this approach, we examine food system transformation, demonstrating how core interaction sequences persist across loops of varying complexity. These insights showcase the potential of network analysis to reveal systemic patterns in SDG interlinkages, offering a method to better understand how sustainability transitions are shaped by interconnected targets. • Key SDG feedback loops in European networks reveal critical balancing and reinforcing dynamics that drive systemic change. • Central SDG targets - sustainable food, climate resilience, renewable energy - emerge as leverage points for policy transformation. • Balancing and reinforcing feedback loops highlight interaction effects that can guide coherent policy interventions. • Analysis of Swedish food system targets shows cross-cutting impacts essential for integrated sustainability efforts. • A systems-oriented network analysis enhances understanding of SDG interactions, aiding integrated policy design.