The AER Working Group on Energy and Climate Change has recently exchanged experiences on the use of the Sustainable Development Goals as a framework for regional policy-making.
In this context, the European Commission published on January 30th a Reflection Paper on a Sustainable Europe by 2030.
As part of the debate on the future of Europe, the paper reviews challenges and debates on how the Sustainable Development Goals can be best achieved and how the European States and regions can best contribute by 2030.
The Reflection Paper focuses on the key policy foundations for the sustainability transition, which include moving from linear to circular economy, correcting the imbalances in our food system, future-proofing our energy, buildings and mobility, and making sure that this transition is fair, leaving no one and no place behind. The Paper also concentrates on the horizontal enablers, which need to underpin the sustainability transition, including education, science, technology, research, innovation and digitisation; finance, pricing, taxation and competition; responsible business conduct, corporate social responsibility and new business models; open and rules-based trade; governance and policy coherence at all levels. The Paper ends by emphasising the importance of blazing the trail for the sustainability transition globally as our policies will only have a limited impact on the planet if others pursue opposing policies.
A reformed cohesion policy
Cohesion policy is a major EU investment tool to support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
With a budget of EUR 370 billion, it will focus on sustainable growth, the transition towards a low carbon and circular economy, the environment and resource efficiency, and social inclusion. The reformed cohesion policy will enable the EU to deliver on the targets of the Paris Climate Agreement and will help localise Sustainable Development Goals since its delivery is done in close cooperation with regions and local authorities, by directly supporting them.
Have your say
The United Nations launched a Stakeholders E-consultation on the Sustainable Development Goals under review at the 2019 High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). You can submit there your inputs by 8th February. The E-Consultation will serve to improve stakeholders’ access to information and promote broad and participatory engagement on the follow up and review of the 2030 Agenda implementation.
Photo by TPCOM on Flickr
