How Do Climate Policies of Agriculture and Forestry Contribute to Sustainable Development? A Case Study of North Macedonia

Abstract

Despite growing recognition of the role of agriculture and forestry in achieving climate and sustainability goals, empirical evidence remains limited, particularly in developing countries like North Macedonia. Using a participatory case study approach, this study examines the linkages (synergies and trade-offs) between climate mitigation Policies and Measures in the agriculture and forestry sector and the Sustainable Development Goals and quantifies them. Additionally, it uses Geographic Information System tools to visualise the most significant linkages across three case studies, making them concrete and serving as a communication tool to enhance policymaker engagement. Key findings reveal that agricultural policies within the Nationally Determined Contributions exclusively generate positive impacts with the Sustainable Development Goals, while forestry measures provide significant co-benefits with minimal trade-offs. Major synergies align with Goals 15 (Life on Land) and 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), while the most notable trade-off occurs with Goal 2 (Zero Hunger). Further, the spatial analysis makes these linkages concrete, showing which regions would benefit most. Overall, the findings underscore the need for enhanced policy planning in the next revision of the Nationally Determined Contributions, alongside stronger judicial systems and streamlined administrative processes, to balance climate mitigation with sustainable development. The findings of this study empirically advance the literature on the effects of climate measures on sustainable development and show the added benefit of using spatial analysis to inform this literature's impact on policymaking. The assessment is qualitative and does not estimate the magnitude of greenhouse gas or carbon dioxide equivalent impacts.