Background As a result of climate change, heatwaves are expected to increase in frequency, intensity and duration. Despite this, current and future heat-related illnesses and deaths are preventable. The exposure to heatwaves contributes to decreased human health and wellbeing, and can hinder the achievement of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The aim of this study was to understand how sustainable development and heatwave resilience can be aligned and explore how to achieve both agendas.

Methods A mixed methods approach was used to map interactions between achieving the SDGs and improving heatwave resilience. The mapping of interactions was established through the development of an impact matrix. Semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders were used to collect primary data at the individual level. The mapping exercise used a scoring system agreed with participants which uses a seven-point scale. The qualitative data were analysed using an iterative and systematic coding process. We then assessed how different stakeholders in different sectors of society have been, are and may be aligning the SDGs and heatwave resilience to improve synergies and reduce trade-offs, and how to achieve both agendas.

Results All participants were aware of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 SDGs, as well as heatwave resilience, but their familiarity varied significantly. Many participants had not thought about the interactions between achieving the SDGs and improving heatwave resilience which made mapping of interactions and thinking about the sources of interactions somewhat challenging. Stakeholders perceived the SDGs to being intrinsically related to improving heatwave resilience. The achievement of the SDGs was thus considered to interact with improving heatwave resilience and reduce the impacts of heatwaves. All participants agreed more needs to be done to deliver on the SDGs and be more resilient to heatwaves now and in the future, and this can be achieved through different types of solutions (i.e. financial, communication, technical).

Conclusion This study adds to the current knowledge that different stakeholders from different sectors of society acknowledge the urgent need for more efficient communication, use of resources, knowledge, commitment and implementation aimed at achieving both agendas. It has also shed light on different options that can be used to align sustainable development and heatwave resilience.