Sustainable Development Goals and the environment in Europe: a cross-country analysis and 39 country profiles

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Topics: Sustainability transitions

A vast majority of the European Environment Agency’s 39 member and cooperating countries are putting in action key United Nation’s Sustainability Development Goals, including those focused on climate action, water and sanitation, and affordable and clean energy.

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Sustainable Development Goals and the environment in Europe: a cross-country analysis and 39 country profiles

Background, purpose and methodology

Cross-country analysis

Varied focus of environmental action and prioritisation in Eionet countries

What are the SDG-related structures and processes in Eionet countries?

European countries lead the way on global SDG action

References and further reading

Country profiles

This report is based on a three-year mapping and analysis of EEA member and cooperating countries' environmental SDG action and procedures.

It contributes to the EU’s SDG monitoring report.

Acknowledgements

This publication was prepared by the EEA. The lead author was Lale Karayaka. Guidance, support, and review were provided by Anita Pirch-Velkavrh and Jock Martin.

Consultancy support provided in the form of editorial inputs from Owen White of Collingwood Environmental Planning (CEP) and visuals/design by Milieu Ltd are kindly acknowledged.

The EEA extends its sincere thanks to Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey for their feedback and inputs provided through the wider National Focal Points (NFP)/Eionet consultation between February to April 2020. The feedback from Eurostat, DG CLIMA and DG Environment are also greatly appreciated.

The cut-off date for information provided for this publication is 15 June 2020.

Identifiers

Report no. 21/2020
Title: Sustainable Development Goals and the environment in Europe: a cross-country analysis and 39 country profiles
HTML - TH-01-20-560-EN-Q - ISBN 978-92-9480-283-5 - doi: 10.2800/780706
PDF - TH-01-20-560-EN-N - ISBN 978-92-9480-284-2 - doi: 10.2800/044724

The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union did not affect the production of this report. Data reported by the United Kingdom are included in all analyses and assessments contained herein, unless otherwise indicated.

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Briefing Turkey country profile - SDGs and the environment Turkey takes a holistic approach to SDG action, integrating them into NDPs and sectoral strategies. Therefore, the country pays due attention to considering the interlinkages between the SDGs, as well as to prioritising action for faster progress and to allocating the appropriate resources (Government of Turkey, 2019).

Briefing The Netherlands country profile - SDGs and the environment Since the adoption of the SDGs in 2015, the Netherlands has worked on its SDGs action in an integrated manner for all 17 goals. From an environmental perspective, the country`s national priorities include energy transition, climate action, enhancing environmental protection and biodiversity whilst tackling present and future environmental pressures (Kingdom of the Netherlands, 2017).

Briefing United Kingdom country profile - SDGs and the environment The United Kingdom is committed to implementing the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda at home and around the world. Despite consideration of policy prioritisation, numerous sources highlight the integrated and indivisible nature of the SDGs. Thus, the UK intends to cover all 17 goals equally (UK, 2017a).

Briefing Switzerland country profile - SDGs and the environment In 2016, the Federal Council of Switzerland adopted the Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS) 2016-19 which underlines the need for sustainable development to feature in all policy areas. Well aligned with the SDGs, the Swiss SDS includes an action plan which is structured by thematic priority areas of action for the prioritised SDGs.

Briefing Sweden country profile - SDGs and the environment In June 2017, the national delegation to the UN HLPF submitted the report ‘Towards sustainable welfare – the 2030 Agenda’ to the Swedish government, which included proposals for an action plan for SDGs. Six priority areas were outlined in the action plan, including sustainable cities (SDG 11); the circular economy (SDG 12); as well as sustainable and healthy food (SDG 2) (Kingdom of Sweden, 2017a).

Briefing Spain country profile - SDGs and the environment Spain is extremely vulnerable to climate change. The country aims to enhance consistency and create synergies between the Paris Agreement and Agenda 2030 and strives to ensure that the 2030 Agenda helps to address the challenges posed by climate change (UN DESA, 2017).

Briefing Slovenia country profile - SDGs and the environment Slovenia prioritises transition to a low-carbon and circular economy (SDGs 8, 9, 12, 13) for its SDG actions (Government of Slovenia, 2017; 2020).

Briefing Slovak Republic country profile - SDGs and the environment In its VNR, the Slovak Republic introduces six national priorities for SDG actions, including transformation towards a knowledge-based and environmentally sustainable economy (SDGs 7, 8, 9, 10, 12); sustainable settlements, regions and countryside in the face of climate change (SDGs 6, 7, 11, 13, 15); and good health (SDGs 3, 10) (Deputy Prime Minister’s Office for Investments and Informatisation of the Slovak Republic, 2018).

Briefing Serbia country profile - SDGs and the environment Serbia has long been striving to integrate environmental protection and conservation objectives into several sectoral policies. The overall goal of all these activities is to support sustainable growth in Serbia, which will encourage innovation and competitiveness, protect the environment and health while ensuring that no one is left behind (Republic of Serbia, 2019).

Briefing Romania country profile - SDGs and the environment Even though we are still facing many of the traditional water-supply challenges, sewerage and water-quality protection, new challenges such as the adaptation to climate change, rising food and energy prices, and obsolete and insufficient infrastructure are now increasing, which also increases the complexity and financial burden of water management.

Briefing Portugal country profile - SDGs and the environment Portugal incorporates the 2030 Agenda into its national strategies, plans and policies around the ‘5ps’ (people, planet, prosperity, peace, partnership). It identifies its priorities for SDG action with an environmental dimension as climate change (SDG 13) and life below water (SDG 14).

Briefing Poland country profile - SDGs and the environment Poland`s SDG actions focus on the ‘5ps’ in the 2030 Agenda (people, planet, prosperity, peace, partnership). Across the country, SDG action is supported by national strategies, with a formal procedure for concluding and adopting them. From an environmental perspective, the country strives to improve the state of the environment and sustainable management of resources.

Briefing Norway country profile - SDGs and the environment Sustainable natural resource management and climate change mitigation and adaptation are priority areas for Norway. It has identified several targets that pose challenges, including sustainable consumption and production; improving urban air quality (SDG 11); halving food waste and reducing waste generation (SDGs 12, 3); and reducing the impact of invasive alien species (SDG 15) (UN DESA, 2016).

Briefing North Macedonia country profile - SDGs and the environment North Macedonia’s Partnership for Sustainable Development UN Strategy positions environmental sustainability as one of four priority areas. The Strategy sets out that, by 2020, individuals, the private sector and state institutions will base their actions on the principles of sustainable development, and communities will be more resilient to disasters and environmental risks.

Briefing Montenegro country profile - SDGs and the environment Based on the assessment of the state of national resources in the four-dimensional concept (human, social, natural and economic resources), as well as analysis of key unsustainable trends and the need for sustainable development by 2030, the country adopted a ‘DPSIR’ approach (i.e. driver, pressure, state, impact, response) and identified priority areas and strategic goals to advance SDG action (Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism of Montenegro, 2016).

Briefing Malta country profile - SDGs and the environment The Maltese Sustainable Development Strategy identifies 20 priority areas, all of which are accompanied by targets and indicators. These areas include the environment, the economy, society, and cross-cutting issues (Government of Malta, 2018).

Briefing Luxembourg country profile - SDGs and the environment Luxembourg prioritises the following five areas related to the environmental SDGs (Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, 2017):

Briefing Lithuania country profile - SDGs and the environment The Lithuanian government acknowledges that a sustainable environment plays an important role in eradicating poverty, addressing hunger, ensuring economic growth, and promoting health (Treciokas, 2016).

Briefing Liechtenstein country profile - SDGs and the environment In its VNR in 2019, Liechtenstein highlights the areas that require further action. These include reversing the high dependence on fossil fuels (SDG 7); decreasing the resource-intensity of consumption and production (SDG 12); meeting GHG emission reduction objectives (SDG 13); addressing high-levels of motorised private transport (SDGs 9 and 11); and reversing the endangered biodiversity (SDG 15) (Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein, 2019).

Briefing Latvia country profile - SDGs and the environment For SDG action, Latvia has set seven priority areas, including an innovative and eco-efficient economy (SDGs 8, 9) and nature as its future capital (SDGs 14, 15).

Briefing Kosovo country profile - SDGs and the environment As Kosovo is not a member of the UN, the SDG actions are done mainly through the process of European integration. Nevertheless, the UN Kosovo Team (UNKT) has set up the management structures in Kosovar institutions that will facilitate SDG integration into a key strategic planning process guided by the UN Common Development Plan (CDP) for 2016-2020 (UNKT, 2017).

Briefing Italy country profile - SDGs and the environment Organised into five core areas (people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership), Italy has identified priorities in each to deliver the SDGs.

Briefing Ireland country profile - SDGs and the environment Ireland’s SDG action takes place within the framework of Project Ireland 2040, which identifies the country’s overarching policy goals and values and sets out 10 strategic objectives. The SDG priority areas include health and well-being (SDG 3); energy (SDG 7); climate action (SDG 13); smart and sustainable food production (SDG 3); and transitioning to sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12) (Government of Ireland, 2018).

Briefing Iceland country profile - SDGs and the environment Iceland`s SDG priorities build on the sustainable management of natural resources (SDG 15) as the key to eradicating poverty and hunger (SDGs 1, 2), ensuring healthy lives (SDG 3) and promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth (SDG 12) (Gunnarsdottir, 2017).

Briefing Hungary country profile - SDGs and the environment Hungary considers universal access to clean water and sanitation an important element of sustainable development, which is why it highlights SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) as a standalone goal. The country’s other main environmental goals are combatting climate change (SDG 13), increasing biodiversity (SDG 15), protecting renewable natural resources and ensuring the responsible management of non-renewable resources (SDGs 7, 12) (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, 2018).

Briefing Greece country profile - SDGs and the environment Greece hosts a unique ecological treasury and is a remarkable EU Member State in terms of its ecological wealth. It was one of the first countries worldwide to endorse a framework law on the protection of the environment (Law 1650/1986), and the principles of environmental protection are embedded in the constitution.

Briefing Germany country profile - SDGs and the environment Germany focuses on promoting responsible supply chains (SDG 12), optimum social and environmental standards (SDG 3), climate change mitigation and adaptation (SDG 13) and the conservation of natural resources (SDG 15) (Federal Republic of Germany, 2016). Life below water (SDG 14) is another priority area for the country.

Briefing France country profile - SDGs and the environment France recognises that social inequalities go hand in hand with environmental inequalities. Therefore, public policies in France are designed to reduce exposure to risks and hazards such as pollution, extreme weather events and natural disasters (SDGs 3, 13), tackle fuel poverty (SDG 7) and facilitate access to nature for all (SDGs 3, 14 and 15). As regards environmental protection, other areas of action include combatting climate change (SDG 13), achieving green energy transition (SDG 7), and sustainable urbanisation (SDG 11) (Republic of France, 2016).

Briefing Finland country profile - SDGs and the environment According to the updated national sustainable development strategy The Finland We Want by 2050 – Society’s Commitment to Sustainable Development (2016), Finland’s environmental sustainability challenges include high carbon dioxide emissions relative to the population (SDG 13), the protection of biodiversity (SDG 15), and the sustainable, fair and efficient use of natural resources (SDG 15).

Briefing Estonia country profile - SDGs and the environment Estonia initiated SDG action through its 2016 VNR preparations. As a basis for the VNR, the government conducted a preliminary gap analysis of government policies concerning the SDGs. The Commission for Sustainable Development also launched a review of the ‘Sustainable Estonia 21’ strategy to determine whether its national strategy is delivering on the 2030 Agenda (Republic of Estonia, 2016).

Briefing Denmark country profile - SDGs and the environment Denmark considers the implementation of the 2030 Agenda key to accelerating its economic and societal transformation for a sustainable future.

Briefing Czechia country profile - SDGs and the environment Czechia adopted the Framework for SDG action through a Government Resolution in January 2016. The government followed this framework with ‘Czech Republic 2030’ which was published in April 2017. Czech Republic 2030 serves as an overarching strategic framework for sustainable development policy at the national, regional and local level, while the country’s VNR provides the main roadmap for achieving the SDGs. This will be complemented by the framework of voluntary commitments by civil society, the private sector and other stakeholders (Office of the Government of the Czech Republic, 2017).

Briefing Cyprus country profile - SDGs and the environment Through the country’s National Reform Programme, key horizontal and sector-specific policy actions aim to address key economic challenges and achieve smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. Cyprus initiated SDG actions in 2016 by mapping the relevant national sustainable development policies against the SDGs. This exercise identified relevant stakeholders, existing national and/or EU policies and strategies, and the available national SDG indicators. Another outcome of the mapping was identification of the need to develop a new sustainable development strategy that covers all three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social, and environmental (Republic of Cyprus, 2017).

Briefing Croatia country profile - SDGs and the environment Croatia plans greater investment to reduce exposure of the population to environmental pollution (water, air and soil) and to reinforce the environmental factors health impact (SDG 3) assessment associated with industrial facility construction and other potential environmental polluters. The government acknowledges that a healthy environment is essential for a healthy life and that building a green infrastructure plays a major role (SDG 9). It has therefore set itself the goal of ‘Development of Green Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions’ under its 2030 national development strategy (Government of the Republic of Croatia, 2019).

Briefing Bulgaria country profile - SDGs and the environment Sustainable development is an important priority for the government of Bulgaria. Ahead of its EU Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2018, Bulgaria identified sustainable development as an integral element of its Presidency agenda (Ministry of Tourism, 2017). Former President Rosen Plevneliev called for the adoption of a Bulgarian 2030 Agenda based on the UN SDGs and the ‘EC Communication on Next steps for a sustainable European future’ (Plevneliev, 2016).

Briefing Bosnia and Herzegovina country profile - SDGs and the environment At the heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s SDG action is the elaboration and adoption of its SDG Framework. Under the auspices of the SDG Framework in BiH Subgroup, which comprises representatives from relevant BiH institutions, at the entity and Brčko District level, extensive work has been carried out to design the SDG Framework, including consultations with stakeholders able to bring forward citizens’ perspectives in terms of priority areas, Vision 2030, development pathways and development acceleration points. This document will inform all the strategic planning processes the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Brčko District embark upon in 2020 (Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2019).

Briefing Belgium country profile - SDGs and the environment Belgium focuses on all SDGs, working through overarching strategies and initiatives to address interlinkages and enhance cooperation within and between the various governments (De Croo, 2017a). In Belgium, SDG actions are a shared responsibility between the federal state, the communities (Flemish, French and German-speaking) and the regions (Wallonia, Flanders, and Brussels-Capital).

Briefing Austria country profile - SDGs and the environment In May 2020, Austria submitted an SDG VNR to the UN. Climate action is one of the top five highlights in the main messages of Austria’s VNR. In addressing SDGs with an environmental dimension, Austria also focuses on water management (SDG 6), energy efficiency (SDG 7), sustainable agriculture (SDG 2) and forestry (SDG 15) (BKA, 2020).

Briefing Albania country profile - SDGs and the environment Accession to the EU is Albania’s overarching priority and its most important strategic ambition. By building on the European integration process as the driving political and development goal, the Republic of Albania has moved towards achieving the SDGs (Republic of Albania, 2018).

Briefing European countries lead the way on global SDG action For the purpose of providing country-level ranking and information for all 39 countries, the Sustainable Development Solutions Network SDG Index for all UN member states is used as a reference as it provides the broadest country coverage.

Briefing What are the SDG-related structures and processes in Eionet countries? Approaches to the governance of SDGs varies between Eionet countries.

Briefing Varied focus of environmental action and prioritisation in Eionet countries Based on an analysis of the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) on SDG progress and action for those SDGs with an environmental dimension, 27 of 39 Eionet countries declared some form of environmental emphasis related to the SDGs.

Briefing A cross-country analysis Agreed by world leaders at the United Nations in 2015, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which address global challenges, including poverty, inequality, environmental degradation and climate change.

Briefing Background, purpose and methodology At the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Summit on 25-26 September 2015, world leaders adopted the global framework ‘Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’, which included 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets. The 2030 Agenda builds on the Millennium Development Goals and aims to eradicate poverty, leaving no one behind, and to shift the world on to a sustainable and resilient path.

Briefing Sustainable Development Goals and the environment in Europe: a cross-country analysis and 39 country profiles EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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Geographic coverage

Albania Austria Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czechia Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy Kosovo Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Montenegro Netherlands North Macedonia Norway Poland Portugal Romania Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey United Kingdom