A new report from the SDSN network proposes 10 priority actions for the new European Parliament, highlighting persistent and growing inequalities
Ibiza, 25/01/24 – IbizaPreservation has joined a campaign launched today, led by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), calling on political parties and future European Union (EU) leaders to uphold the promise of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda and the climate targets set in the Paris Agreement.
The call to action, supported by SDSN Europe and the European Economic and Social Committee, brings together over 100 scientists, experts, and professionals from more than 20 European countries. This appeal coincides with the release of the 2023/24 Sustainable Development Report for Europe, produced by SDSN, which provides an annual review of progress made by the EU, its member states, and partner countries concerning the SDGs.
The report reveals stagnation and setbacks in many European countries regarding social goals, indicating that, at the current pace, the EU will fail to meet a third of the SDG targets by 2030.
In light of this, SDSN stressed the need for decisive action during this decade. “Long-term investments and regional cooperation are essential to boost capacities, foster innovation, and ensure equal opportunities for all. In a multipolar and fragmented world, European intellectual leadership must work together to lay the foundation for a New European Pact for the Future and play a global leadership role in preparing for the coming decades of sustainable development,” said Guillaume Lafortune, Vice President of SDSN and lead author of the report.
An analysis of data related to Spain shows the country ranking 22nd out of the 34 nations studied. According to the report, 64.2% of the SDGs have been achieved or are on track, while only limited progress has been made on 20% of the goals, and in 15.8% of cases, indicators are worsening. Specifically, the SDGs facing the greatest challenges in Spain are: Zero Hunger, Climate Action, Life Below Water, and Life on Land.
“Tracking the progress of the 2030 Agenda SDGs at the local level is crucial for assessing advancement toward global goals. That’s why IbizaPreservation contributes to generating knowledge through our Ibiza Sustainability Observatory,” said Inma Saranova, director of the environmental foundation. She added, “The collection of indicators provides concrete data that allow us to measure the impact of local actions, identify areas for improvement, and guide policies to address specific challenges. Additionally, by monitoring compliance at the local level, community engagement is encouraged, strengthening shared responsibility in building a sustainable future.”
In support of the SDSN report, IbizaPreservation has joined over a hundred other organisations to call for a series of key proposals for the EU to strengthen its leadership on SDGs, both nationally and internationally, ahead of the European elections in June 2024 and the Summit of the Future, convened by the UN Secretary-General in September 2024.
The report identifies ten priority actions, including: reducing the risk of poverty and social exclusion; doubling efforts to achieve net-zero emissions in the EU by 2050; mobilising financial resources to support the transformations needed for a sustainable future; integrating the SDGs into strategic planning, macroeconomic coordination, and institutional budgeting processes; and establishing new permanent mechanisms within the European Parliament for structured and meaningful engagement with civil society, including youth participation.
