Local authorities are key to achieve the Global Goals
The implementation of the 2030 Agenda is led by countries. However, local authorities are key when it comes to implementing the 2030 Agenda. They are closest to the people, local businesses and civil society organizations. The Nordic countries are often leading global rankings of SDG performance. Nonetheless, many Nordic local authorities are only just starting to link their sustainability efforts explicitly to the SDGs.
“Local authorities play a key role in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. National and local authorities must work together, to bring the Nordic Region closer to the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals”, says Dagfinn Høybråten, Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers.
Local authorities play a key role in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. National and local authorities must work together, to bring the Nordic Region closer to the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
First movers
The new report Global goals for local priorities provide an overview of how municipalities in the Nordic Region are implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The report identifies 27 Nordic local authorities that are “first movers” in working with the 2030 Agenda and describes their priorities and activities. It also highlights the challenges and success factors in working with the SDGs. The aim of the report is to provide local authorities with ideas on how to implement the 2030 Agenda and to inform experts and policy makers at national and regional levels on how to support the municipalities in their work.
Ideas that inspire
To inspire and encourage local authorities, the report presents ideas from 27 from first movers on how to implement the 2030 Agenda in a local context. The ideas presented by the municipalities can be summarized by the following points:
- Integrate the SDGs into key steering documents, plans and documents
- Involve all local authority departments
- Involve local population
- Encourage young people to participate
- Support sustainable businesses and organisations
- Use the SDGs for urban planning and sustainable housing
- Form strong partnership
Moving forward, the report present a set of recommendations for the national, regional and local authorities. A clear communication of national priorities and activities within the 2030 Agenda, guidance on how to work with the 17 SDGs, and support in measuring progress are key. Support in these areas would not only help the first movers to progress with their work but may also encourage more municipalities to contribute to the Global Goals.
It´s important that the NCM and national authorities provide funds, communicate how the 2030 Agenda is relevant in our Nordic context, and assess what the municipalities are doing to implement the 2030 Agenda and how we are doing it.
The report is published by Nordregio on behalf of the Nordic Council of Ministers and forms part of the Generation 2030 program.
