The European Union is making progress towards most of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a new report has found.
While ‘significant progress’ has been made towards addressing reduced inequalities (SDG 10), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), and quality education (SDG 4), progress on others has also been recorded, albeit at a slower pace, Eurostat said in an update.
Moderate progress has been recorded with regard to gender equality (SDG 5), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), and zero hunger (SDG 2).
‘No significant progress’
At the same time, however, the report also notes that ‘no significant progress’ has been made on life below water (SDG 14), while there has been a noticeable retrenchment in areas such as clean water and sanitation (SDG 6) and life on land (SDG 15).
The report also introduces new sections examining global spillover effects of EU consumption and regional disparities within different EU member states, offering a broader and more nuanced picture of sustainability challenges and progress.
‘An integral part’
“The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remain an integral part of President von der Leyen’s political guidelines and are embedded in all Commission proposals, policies, and strategies,” commented Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity. “This commitment is clearly bearing fruit.
“Yet, we should not become complacent. Furthering its efforts to achieve the SDGs, the Commission’s newly presented Competitiveness Compass will help secure sustainable growth and prosperity. The Commission also recently adopted the Union of Skills initiative that will empower people across the EU with the skills they need to succeed, ensuring that Europe’s social model remains viable.”
Dombrovskis added that the Commisson’s recently unveiled Vision for Agriculture and Food will focus on “enhancing the competitiveness of the farming and fishing sectors, while also supporting the EU’s climate objectives and aiding in the preservation and restoration of biodiversity“. Read more here.
