SDG, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 2: KOM (2023) 0700 - Rapport fra Europa-Kommissionen vedr. status for EU’s implementering af FN’s verdensmål (EU’s Voluntary Review)

2022-23 (2. samling)
Alm.del Bilag 2
Offentligt

Europaudvalget

Offentligt

2023

KOM (2023) 0700 - Rapport/beretning

Offentligt

EUROPEAN

COMMISSION

Brussels, 15.5.2023

COM(2023) 700 final

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE

COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE

COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

EU Voluntary Review on progress in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for

Sustainable Development

{SWD(2023) 700 final} - {SWD(2023) 701 final} - {SWD(2023) 702 final} -

{SWD(2023) 703 final}

SDG, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 2: KOM (2023) 0700 - Rapport fra Europa-Kommissionen vedr. status for EU’s implementering af FN’s verdensmål (EU’s Voluntary Review)

Contents

Introduction

................................................................................................................................... 2

Delivering on the SDGs in the European Union

......................................................................... 4

A whole-of-government approach....................................................................................................

The added value of the European Union

......................................................................................... 6

Working together as one Union towards the SDGs

........................................................................ 6

Key transformations – the EU’s highlights

................................................................................. 7

Planet and prosperity – European Green Deal

............................................................................... 7

People and prosperity – an economy that works for people and a Europe fit for the digital age

........................................................................................................................................................... 10

People and peace – promoting our European way of life and a new push for European

democracy

........................................................................................................................................ 15

Partnership – a stronger Europe in the world

.............................................................................. 20

Lessons learnt and looking ahead to 2030

................................................................................. 23

Conclusions

.......................................................................................................................................... 24

SDG, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 2: KOM (2023) 0700 - Rapport fra Europa-Kommissionen vedr. status for EU’s implementering af FN’s verdensmål (EU’s Voluntary Review)

1. Introduction

The

first Voluntary Review of the European Union

– a Union of 447 million citizens and

27 countries

– on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

shows that the EU is fully committed to delivering the 17 Sustainable Development

Goals (SDGs).

The 2030 Agenda is indivisibly linked to the Paris Agreement on climate

change

and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development

The European Union (EU) has firmly placed

sustainable development at its core

and is

making efforts to advance the 2030 Agenda, both at home and around the world, by

supporting partner countries in their implementation efforts.

Under the leadership of President von der Leyen, the Commission has presented an ambitious

policy programme to deliver on sustainability in the EU and beyond. The SDGs are an

intrinsic part of the President’s political programme

and lie at the heart of the policymaking

on internal and external action across all sectors. With the von der Leyen Commission, the

SDGs have been put at the heart of major deliverables such as the European Green Deal and

Recovery and Resilience Plans. SDGs are mainstreamed in the European Semester cycle of

economic and fiscal coordination with Member States

, the annual legislative work

programmes and the Better Regulation toolbox. This has been set out in the 2020 document

‘Delivering on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals - A comprehensive approach

’, and

progress in achieving the SDGs is monitored annually by the European statistical office

Eurostat

Externally, building on the European Consensus on Development

, all EU institutions and

Member States are committed to support partner countries in implementing the SDGs. This is

being taken further, together with the pursuit of EU priorities, in particular in the support of a

sustainable recovery aligned with the SDGs through our new programming and Global

Gateway.

Recent events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, global supply chain disruptions, and the

energy crisis resulting from Russia’s war of aggression, have further complicated progress

Against this backdrop,

this review renews the sense of direction for further efforts to

build lasting peace, ensure a better future for people and the planet, and deliver more

inclusive prosperity, including through partnerships.

As such, it is complementary to the

national reviews that have been completed by all EU Member States.

The voluntary review has been conducted in line with the United Nations (UN) voluntary

common reporting guidelines and is based on broad consultations. Details on how the EU is

The Paris Agreement:

https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/paris-agreement.

Financing for Development - United Nations Sustainable Development

President von der Leyen’s

Political Guidelines:

A Union that strives for more- My agenda for Europe

A framework for integrated surveillance and coordination of economic and employment policies across the EU

delivering_on_uns_sustainable_development_goals_staff_working_document_en.pdf (europa.eu)

Overview - Sustainable development goals - Eurostat (europa.eu)

European Consensus on Development (europa.eu)

2022 Report of the UN Secretary-General: Progress Towards the Sustainable Development Goals

SDG, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 2: KOM (2023) 0700 - Rapport fra Europa-Kommissionen vedr. status for EU’s implementering af FN’s verdensmål (EU’s Voluntary Review)

adding value to implementing the 2030 Agenda, both inside the EU and around the world, are

available in the main accompanying document

, which comprises 17 dedicated SDG chapters

and addresses the interlinkages between the SDGs, as well as in the statistical and analytical

document

. This review also includes a specific document dedicated to the participation of

young people

in implementing the 2030 Agenda at EU level, and a report on the

consultation activities

undertaken as part of this voluntary review.

The EU and UN are indispensable partners sharing common values and objectives, including

the 2030 Agenda. The EU is determined to protect and promote rules-based multilateralism,

with the UN at its core, and international norms and standards in accordance with the UN

Charter. With growing global instability halfway through the implementation of the 2030

Agenda, there is an increased need for unity, coordinated diplomatic outreach, further

cooperation with partners, and unprecedented investments. A number of vulnerable countries

are particularly exposed to the challenges resulting from the multiplicity of crises.

Taking

action to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs is more urgent than ever.

Since 2015, the EU has made progress across all SDGs, although this has not always been

even. According to the most recent data

, the

EU performed best on ensuring decent work

and economic growth, reducing poverty and fostering peace, security and inclusive

societies and institutions.

However, external adverse shocks are putting a strain on the post-

pandemic recovery and progress on sustainable development in the EU and globally. Progress

slowed down from 2020 as a consequence of the multiple crises, sometimes leading to a

reverse in progress.

All of this comes on top of the underlying planetary climate and environmental crisis and

rising inequalities.

More progress is needed on many SDGs,

in particular on those related to

the protection and sustainable use of natural resources. The

European Green Deal

December 2019 brought new impetus to climate policy and action at EU level

The

European

Climate Law

broke new ground in 2021 by setting legally binding targets for the EU to

reach climate neutrality by 2050 and to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55%

by 2030 compared with 1990 levels

. Implementation of the European Green Deal on the

ground is gaining momentum and is expected to pick up speed significantly in the years to

come.

Across the whole framework, particular attention needs to be paid to impacts on people in

vulnerable situations. Overall, the situation currently remains challenging, and

further

implementation efforts are still needed to achieve our collective vision.

SWD(2023)700

SWD(2023)701

SWD(2023)702

SWD(2023)703

Eurostat portal on Sustainable Development Goals monitoring

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/sdi;

also the

Europe Sustainable Development Reports by the

UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network

EUR-Lex - 32021R1119 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)

The level of the EU net domestic emissions in 2021 (latest data available) is broadly consistent with the trajectory

to achieve these ambitious targets, but the speed of reduction needs to increase significantly.

SDG, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 2: KOM (2023) 0700 - Rapport fra Europa-Kommissionen vedr. status for EU’s implementering af FN’s verdensmål (EU’s Voluntary Review)

2. Delivering on the SDGs in the European Union

A whole-of-government approach

The EU vision for sustainable development combines economic growth, a highly competitive

social market economy that leaves no one behind, the respect for human rights and a high

level of environmental protection. Sustainable development is also an objective of EU

external action. The 2030 Agenda is implemented at EU level through an

integrated whole-

of-government approach

that places the SDGs at the core of EU policy, legislation and

funding. All EU actions and policies contribute to delivering on the SDGs and the degree of

success depends on collective actions at all levels – EU, national, regional and local.

The Commission’s comprehensive or “whole

of government”

approach to implementing the

SDGs comprises several strands as depicted in the Figure below:

Figure 1:

The EU’s ‘whole-of-government’ approach

At the beginning of her mandate, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen put forward

Union that strives for more

- the political guidelines for 2019-2024. The President’s political

programme integrates the SDGs into all Commission proposals, policies and strategies. All of

the 17 SDGs feature in one or more of the six headline ambitions announced. Moreover, all

Commissioners will ensure the delivery of the SDGs within their policy area

The guidelines set out six headline ambitions: a European Green Deal; an economy that works

for people; a Europe fit for the digital age; promoting our European way of life; a stronger

Europe in the world; and a new push for European democracy. These priorities operationalise

SWD(2020) 400 final:

Delivering on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals – A comprehensive approach..

A Union that strives for more

https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/43a17056-ebf1-11e9-9c4e-

01aa75ed71a1

Mission letters are found under each Commissioner:

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/commissioners/2019-

2024/timmermans_en

SDG, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 2: KOM (2023) 0700 - Rapport fra Europa-Kommissionen vedr. status for EU’s implementering af FN’s verdensmål (EU’s Voluntary Review)

the transformations necessary to deliver on the SDGs, notably through the green and digital

transitions, while leaving no one behind. The six Commission priorities are interconnected

with the five Ps

– People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, Partnership

- of the preamble of the

2030 Agenda. This approach is also largely consistent with the focus on a short set of entry

points for transformation recommended by scientists in the UN Global Sustainable

Development Report

Figure 2: The strategy to deliver on the SDGs in the EU

The current strategy to fully deliver on the SDGs consists in advancing the headline

ambitions through concrete initiatives set out in the annual Commission work

programmes

Since 2020, every Commission work programme put the SDGs at the heart of

EU policymaking. The Joint Declaration of the European Parliament, the Council of the

European Union, and the European Commission on EU legislative priorities for 2023 and

2024

includes a commitment to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

The SDGs are thus mainstreamed into EU policies

and they guide policymaking and law-

making in the EU. Proposed legislation must include an assessment of how it contributes to

delivering on the SDGs

. Based on this overarching direction, the whole-of-government

Global Sustainable Development Report 2019 | United Nations

In the figure, the SDGs are presented under a specific Commission political priority to which they are strongly

associated, while noting that most SDGs contribute in varying degrees to several priorities.

More information on the Commission work programmes

https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-

documents/commission-work-programme

Text of the Joint Declaration

here

More information about the Better Regulation agenda

here

SDG, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 2: KOM (2023) 0700 - Rapport fra Europa-Kommissionen vedr. status for EU’s implementering af FN’s verdensmål (EU’s Voluntary Review)

approach focuses on delivering concrete internal and external actions that will bring about

tangible progress towards the SDGs.

The added value of the European Union

The voluntary review reflects the specific nature of the EU and various aspects of EU added

value in implementing the 2030 Agenda.



Shaping policies and laws:

the EU shapes and implements a range of policies where it

has competence and SDGs are mainstreamed into its policymaking.

Financing sustainable development:

the EU invests in sustainable development projects

and programmes, both within the EU and in support of partner countries, in pursuit of the

SDGs.

External action:

the EU is a major player on the international scene in support of

multilateralism, human rights and sustainable development.



In terms of the EU budget, its multiannual structure provides stable long-term planning for

achieving EU objectives and the vast majority of EU programmes funded under the budget

contribute to the SDGs

. For 2021-2027, the budget provides

over EUR 2 trillion (in

current prices) to help rebuild a post-pandemic European Union, while significantly

accelerating delivery on the SDGs in the EU and across the world. It contributes directly to a

greener, more digital, more inclusive, and a more resilient Europe. More than 50% of this

total amount will support the modernisation of the EU through the following: fair climate and

digital transitions; preparedness, recovery, and resilience; and research and innovation.

The EU budget is channelling over EUR 378 billion to the EU’s regions and cities,

contributing to the progress of several SDGs. Most of this funding

is used to invest in

regional and local development to help level up the economic, social and territorial disparities

that still exist in the EU.

Working together as one Union towards the SDGs

The EU institutions work closely together to set the EU’s agenda and to initiate and adopt EU

laws, including for the pursuit of the SDGs. The

European Commission

draws up proposals

for new European legislation that contribute to the SDGs and review the implementation by

Member States of the legislative acts once adopted by EU co-legislators, the

European

Parliament

and the

Council of the European Union,

which represents the national

governments of the Member States. Both the European Parliament and the Council actively

promote the implementation of the SDGs in EU policies, including through regular

resolutions, conclusions and legislative acts.

The Member States

have the primary responsibility for ensuring sustainable development at

national, regional, and local level. This includes taking steps to integrate the SDGs into

national policies and allocating resources to support their achievement. Member States report

regularly on their progress towards the SDGs through their respective Voluntary National

More information

here

Together with NextGenerationEU, the temporary instrument designed to boost the recovery.

Cohesion policy funding: the European Regional Development Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Social

Fund Plus and the Just Transition Fund.

SDG, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 2: KOM (2023) 0700 - Rapport fra Europa-Kommissionen vedr. status for EU’s implementering af FN’s verdensmål (EU’s Voluntary Review)

Reviews

(VNRs). Since 2016, all Member States have at least once presented a review in

meetings of the High-level Political Forum for Sustainable Development (HLPF). Of the 27

Member States, 23 have done it twice, including the nine Member States scheduled to present

it again for 2023.

The

European Committee of the Regions and

the

European Economic and Social

Committee

have made valuable contributions to this review. The

European Economic and

Social Committee,

the consultative body that gives representatives of civil society

organisations a formal platform to express their views, has set up a Sustainable Development

Observatory, which is committed to fostering the active participation of citizens and civil

society in making the shift towards a more sustainable Europe aligned with the SDGs. The

Committee of the Regions

works with all European territorial associations and networks

active on SDGs and collaborates with international organisations, such as the OECD, to

advance research and gather improved data on the local implementation of the SDGs.

Many

local and regional authorities

are increasingly engaging through

voluntary local

reviews,

which help foster the delivery of SDGs close to citizens and often contain tangible

commitments in support of the 2030 Agenda. So far, about one third of all local reviews have

been adopted in the EU (41 out of 129)

3. Key transformations – the EU’s highlights

The EU takes a comprehensive approach to delivering on the interconnected SDGs, advancing

several of them through key initiatives and strategies.

Planet and prosperity – European Green Deal

The EU made moderate progress on

SDG 2

on sustainable agriculture,

SDG 6

on water,

SDG 7

on energy,

SDG 11

on sustainable cities,

SDG 12

on consumption and production and

SDG 14

on oceans. More progress is expected in coming years on

SDG 13

on climate action

and

SDG 15

on biodiversity on land.

Figure 3: Contribution to the SDGs of headline ambition ‘European Green Deal’

To make decisive progress on

climate action (SDG 13),

the EU has recently agreed on a

renewed regulatory and policy framework underpinning a higher climate ambition. The EU

and its Member States have fully

met their international climate commitments

to reduce

Map and links to EU Member States voluntary national reviews

here.

More information about localising SDGs in the EU can be found

here and here

As measured against the more ambitious targets of the European Climate Law

SDG, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 2: KOM (2023) 0700 - Rapport fra Europa-Kommissionen vedr. status for EU’s implementering af FN’s verdensmål (EU’s Voluntary Review)

greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020, compared with 1990. The

European Green Deal

strives to

make Europe the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050.

It is explicitly

designed as an integral part of the strategy to implement the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs

A solid advance was made on

SDG 12

on responsible consumption and production. The EU’s

resource and energy efficiency improved in recent years and the value added from the

environmental goods and services sector

has been growing. The EU has proven that green

growth is possible: GDP growth can be achieved simultaneously with greenhouse gas

emission reduction. However, the EU is still far from meeting its target of doubling the

circular material use rate of materials coming from collected waste by 2030, compared to

2020. The EU’s updated

circular economy action plan

sets out several key initiatives that

will help the EU to reduce pressure on natural resources and create sustainable growth and

jobs. Its implementation will be instrumental in closing this gap.

More progress is needed on

SDG 15

on terrestrial ecosystems, while the state of marine

ecosystems has improved somewhat (SDG

14).

In line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy to

2030 and the

Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

of December 2022, the

EU intends to protect at least 30% of its land areas and 30% of its sea areas by 2030. The

Forest Strategy for 2030

put emphasis on the EU forest protection, restoration and

sustainable forest management as contribution to SDG 15. The

EU Soil Strategy

sets a

medium-term objective for 2030 focusing on combatting desertification, restoring degraded

land and soil. The proposal for a

Nature Restoration Law

sets out binding targets to restore

degraded ecosystems, particularly those with the most potential to capture and store carbon.

So far, progress on

SDG 6

on water has been mixed. Improved wastewater treatment has

reduced organic pollution in European rivers, lakes and seas. At the same time, excess

nutrients industrial pollutants, pharmaceutical residues, cosmetics and pesticides in water

remain of concern. Although the hygiene situation is generally very good, differing levels of

access to water services and sanitation continue among Member States, with some vulnerable

groups at a disadvantage.

EU results on

SDG 2

on malnutrition and sustainable agriculture are mixed. Progress

achieved has been put under pressure as a consequence of Russia’s war of aggression against

Ukraine. Prices of agricultural goods have increased in the EU and globally. The EU has

stepped up support to help those most affected by the devastating effects of rising food

insecurity globally. Between 2020 and 2024, the EU is investing EUR 8 billion for food

security worldwide. In the EU, action has focused on supporting farmers most affected by

higher input costs. These measures have been combined with actions addressing structural

changes to promote sustainable and resilient agriculture, fisheries and food systems as well as

COM(2019) 640 final of 11 December 2019

The environmental goods and services sector is the part of the economy engaged in producing goods and services

that are used in environmental protection activities and resource management.

COM(2020) 98 final of 11 March 2020

COM(2021)572 final

COM(2021)699 final

Nature restoration law (europa.eu)

SDG, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 2: KOM (2023) 0700 - Rapport fra Europa-Kommissionen vedr. status for EU’s implementering af FN’s verdensmål (EU’s Voluntary Review)

healthier diets as set out in the

Farm to Fork Strategy

. This strategy sets concrete targets to

transform EU food systems by 2030 and promotes a global transition to sustainable food

systems.

Also against the background of the

energy crisis

stemming from the Russian invasion of

Ukraine, the EU has stayed the course on its path to decarbonisation. In 2022, the EU made

great strides to diversify energy supplies, increase energy efficiency, and accelerate the roll-

out of renewable energy. Nearly EUR 300 billion is available to support related investments

in Member States. From August 2022 to March 2023, the EU reduced its consumption of

natural gas by 18% compared with the average for the same months of the five previous

years

. Decarbonisation of energy systems is part of the structural long-term solution that is

being rolled out. The 2030 targets for renewables deployment and energy efficiency are being

revised upwards. With the proposal for a Net-Zero Industry Act, the EU is also taking steps to

ensure that its net-zero industrial capacity is up to achieving its climate and energy goals. The

most recent data included in the EU SDG indicator set do not yet fully reflect these effects,

including the reduced energy supplies and related price spikes; nevertheless, significant

progress towards

affordable and clean energy (SDG 7)

can be expected in the coming years.

In relation to

SDG 11

on sustainable cities, cities and urban areas are home to almost 75% of

EU citizens. They provide many opportunities for employment, and economic and cultural

activity, but many residents face environmental and social challenges. Housing issues,

pollution and crime are some of the most serious challenges faced in urban areas. Sustainable

and integrated urban development is crucial to deploy the green, just and digital transition and

corresponding EU priorities at the local level, leaving no place behind. That is why the EU

made three new voluntary commitments in 2022 to contribute to the acceleration of the

delivery of the UN New Urban Agenda.

Climate neutrality

The

European Climate Law

, adopted in 2021, is unique in that it sets legally binding

targets to reach climate neutrality by 2050 and to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at

least 55% by 2030 compared with 1990 levels

. Implementation of the European Green Deal

on the ground is in its early stages, and we can expect the results to pick up significantly in

the years to come.

Legislative proposals operationalise these 55% reduction targets across economic sectors. A

cornerstone of this package is carbon pricing, in the form of the

EU Emissions Trading

System,

which is the world’s first major carbon market, and it remains the biggest one. EU

institutions have recently agreed on strengthening and expanding emissions trading, reducing

national emissions across the transport, building, waste, and agriculture sectors, ending the

See more details here:

https://food.ec.europa.eu/horizontal-topics/farm-fork-strategy_en.

Source: Eurostat.

Link

EUR-Lex - 32021R1119 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu)

The level of the EU net domestic emissions in 2021 (latest data available) is broadly consistent with the trajectory

to achieve these ambitious targets, but the speed of reduction needs to increase significantly.

SDG, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 2: KOM (2023) 0700 - Rapport fra Europa-Kommissionen vedr. status for EU’s implementering af FN’s verdensmål (EU’s Voluntary Review)

sale of new CO

emitting cars in the EU by 2035 (with a flexibility for e-fuels), and

increasing carbon removals through land use, forestry and agriculture.

Climate change and biodiversity protection need to be addressed on a global scale

through concrete actions by all countries. In terms of financing, under the Paris Agreement,

developed countries committed to mobilising around EUR 84 billion every year to support

developing countries. The EU and its Member States are the world’s largest providers of

public climate finance – EUR 23.04 billion in 2021.

Through its

international partnerships,

the EU pursues the objectives of the

European

Green Deal

at global level and progress towards the relevant

SDGs.

Some 35% of the budget

of the Neighbourhood Development and International Cooperation Instrument - Global

Europe (NDICI-GE)

contributes to climate action (SDG 13), including through support for

sustainable energy (SDG 7). The EU has also pledged to double its international funding for

biodiversity (SDGs 15 and 14), in particular for the most vulnerable countries, in the 2021-

2027 period. The EU has also stepped up its support on sustainable agriculture (SDG 2), water

resources (SDG 6) and sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12), including the

circular economy in partner countries. As described further below, the EU is rolling out the

Global Gateway

, its strategy for sustainable investments in infrastructure globally. This

serves as its positive offer to partner countries to support the achievement of the SDGs,

including through private sector mobilisation. This includes supporting infrastructure in

sustainable energy and climate change, notably through flagships as the Africa-EU Green

Energy Initiative, the initiative for green transition in Latin America and the Caribbean, or the

Water, Energy and Climate Change initiative in Central Asia. These actions are undertaken

following a Team Europe approach, which brings together the EU, its Member States, and

national development banks, as well as the European Investment Bank and the European

Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

People and prosperity – an economy that works for people and a Europe fit for the

digital age

An economy that works for people

By helping economies grow and by reducing poverty and inequality, the EU is also making

direct contributions to several interconnected SDGs. Significant progress was made on

reducing poverty and social exclusion (SDG

and on the economy and the labour market

(SDG

8).

However, only moderate progress was made on reducing inequalities (SDG

10).

Figure 4: Contribution to the SDGs of headline ambition ‘an economy that works for people’

economic governance

enables it to coordinate actively and effectively the

Neighbourhood Development and International Cooperation Instrument - Global Europe (eur-lex.europa.eu)

Global Gateway (europa.eu)

SDG, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 2: KOM (2023) 0700 - Rapport fra Europa-Kommissionen vedr. status for EU’s implementering af FN’s verdensmål (EU’s Voluntary Review)

implementation of the 2030 Agenda across the 27 Member States under the European

Semester – a framework for integrated surveillance and coordination of economic and

employment policies across the EU. The EU’s Annual Sustainable Growth Survey outlines an

economic policy agenda to mitigate the negative impacts of shocks in the short term and to

continue efforts to support sustainable and inclusive growth and increase resilience in the

medium term, while maintaining flexibility to tackle new challenges. The approach is

structured around the four dimensions of competitive sustainability (fairness, environmental

sustainability, productivity, and macroeconomic stability). The European Semester integrates

the implementation of the SDGs. This includes annual country reports for all Member States

- each highlighting progress and challenges in implementing measures for the SDGs - and a

comprehensive statistical monitoring report, providing an in-depth review of EU progress

towards achieving the SDGs.

Overall, the objectives set by the SDGs regarding employment, education and skills, working

conditions, fighting poverty and inequality, and promoting equal opportunities and social

inclusion are being pursued at EU level through implementing the

European Pillar of Social

Rights

and building a

Union of equality.

Adopted in March 2021, the European Pillar of

Social Rights Action Plan

sets three ambitious EU headline targets for 2030 in the areas of

employment, skills, and poverty reduction. These targets include a 78% employment rate (for

those aged 20 to 64), a 60% participation rate in training among all adults, and reduction of at

least 15 million in the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion, including at

least 5 million children (compared with 2019). With a total budget of more than

EUR 99 billion, the

European Social Fund Plus

is a key financial instrument for

implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights.

Economic growth and employment are addressed in

SDG 8.

The EU economy grew by 5.4%

in 2021, after a COVID-19-related drop in 2020. It is estimated to have grown by 3.5% in

2022 and to do so by 0.8% in 2023

. The EU employment rate reached a new record high of

74.7% in 2022 and labour markets have remained strong since. Unemployment and long-term

unemployment had already been on a decreasing trend since 2014. If this positive trend

continues, the EU will be well placed to reach its employment target of 78% by 2030.

However, the labour market situation of young people is less positive. The

Youth

Guarantee

has enabled access to the labour market or education for more than 24 million

young people since 2013.

In relation to

SDG 1,

the number of people in the EU at risk of poverty or social exclusion fell

substantially from 104.9 million (or 24% of the EU population) in 2015 to 95.4 million

(21.7%) in 2021. The number of children at risk fell from 22.3 million in 2015 to 19.6 million

in 2021. However, considerable differences in poverty rates remain among EU countries.

2022 European Semester: Country Reports (europa.eu)

The European Pillar of Social Rights in 20 principles (europa.eu)

European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan (europa.eu)

Winter 2023 Economic Forecast: EU Economy set to avoid recession, but headwinds persist (europa.eu)

The reinforced Youth Guarantee is a commitment by all Member States to ensure that that all young people under

the age of 30 receive a good-quality offer of employment, continued education, an apprenticeship or a traineeship within

4 months of becoming unemployed or leaving formal education. See more information

here

SDG, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 2: KOM (2023) 0700 - Rapport fra Europa-Kommissionen vedr. status for EU’s implementering af FN’s verdensmål (EU’s Voluntary Review)

Also, rural areas tend to be at higher risk of poverty due to out-migration, and limited access

to services, weaker labour markets and educational opportunities. Regarding

SDG 10,

the

income gap between the poor and the wealthy in the EU also remains large and the social

inclusion of the unemployed, migrants, minorities or people with disabilities remains a

challenge.

Fighting inequalities and leaving no one behind

Leaving no one behind is a central commitment in the 2030 Agenda. Inequalities are an

underlying challenge cutting across all the SDGs.

The EU is determined to eradicate poverty in all its forms, end discrimination and social

exclusion, and reduce inequalities. The

Treaty on the European Union

lays down that the

EU is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the

rule of law, and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to

minorities. The commitment to leave no one behind is reflected in EU’s internal and external

policies, including by applying a rights-based approach and enhancing the focus on combating

inequalities.

Building a

Union of equality,

with a fairer and inclusive society, free of any discrimination,

is a EU priority. The

Union of equality

is based on policies and actions creating the

conditions for everyone to live, thrive and lead without discrimination. This has resulted in

the adoption and implementation of strategies and action plans that speak directly to meeting

the SDGs, including specifically goals 1, 4, 5, 8 and 10. Many of these are mentioned in this

section on the EU’s highlights and are further detailed in the accompanying document

(SWD(2023)700) .

Concrete action has been taken at EU level through policies to promote and ensure fairness

and solidarity in the European social market economy. Reaching those furthest behind first

requires disaggregated data to monitor the commitments and to design policies for the most

vulnerable and marginalised population groups. Certain population groups, such as children,

people with disabilities, immigrants, and Roma, are at greater risk of poverty

. The EU

regularly collects data pertaining to people’s socio-economic outcomes through its statistical

office (Eurostat) and its specialised agencies, including the EU Agency for Fundamental

Rights (FRA), the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working

Conditions (Eurofound), and the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE).

To ensure the full participation of people with disabilities, the

Strategy for the Rights of

Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030

aims to improve the lives of those with disabilities

during this decade, in the EU and beyond, including in humanitarian crises.

Leaving no one behind and fighting inequalities is also at the centre of EU

international

partnerships

and is part of the objective of fostering sustainable development. Through its

Focus chapter of the Fundamental Rights Agency on

Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals in the EU:

a matter of human and fundamental rights

(June 2019).

SDG, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 2: KOM (2023) 0700 - Rapport fra Europa-Kommissionen vedr. status for EU’s implementering af FN’s verdensmål (EU’s Voluntary Review)

international partnerships, the EU is giving priority to combating inequalities and promoting

sustainable and inclusive societies. One general objective is to capture the multidimensional

contribution to combating inequalities in the design, benchmarking and monitoring of its

programmes. EU action also aims to combat inequalities at policy level, such as by improving

social protection systems and fiscal frameworks and addressing inequality in the face of

climate change and environmental degradation. Several equality flagships are being pursued

across the globe and across sectors: from social cohesion to decent work, and from just

transition to human-centred digitalisation.

Through its

international partnerships,

the EU supports partner countries in improving the

business and investment environment, private investment, increasing financial inclusion, and

promoting trade and trade facilitation for sustainable development and value chains (SDG 8,

9, 10). It promotes decent work by improving social, labour, and environmental sustainability

(SDG 8), promoting gender equality (SDG 5) and the empowerment of women and youth,

combating inequalities (SDG 10), and improving vocational and educational training policies

and systems (SDG 4). Under the

Global Gateway

strategy, the EU has already launched

several projects in a Team Europe approach, with the capacity to leverage multiple sources of

funding including private sector investments. These include the EU-African Union Investment

Package flagships on transport strategic corridors, in Western, Central and Eastern Africa,

which will contribute to a range of interrelated SDGs.

A Europe fit for the digital age

To successfully deliver on the 2030 Agenda and to remain competitive on the global stage,

the EU is transforming its industry and infrastructure to become greener and more digital, and

its economy to become more circular. The COVID-19 pandemic has reaffirmed the benefits

of digitalisation in our everyday lives and why digital transition is the way forward. The

digital and green transitions go hand in hand and mutually support each other’s potential.

Figure 5: Contribution to the SDGs of headline ambition ‘a Europe fit for the digital age’

Good progress was made on

industry, innovation, and infrastructure

(SDG

9).

EU actions

focus on modernising its industries and infrastructure by making them greener and more

digital. Strengthening digital infrastructures is a key pillar of the

Digital Decade

, the

programme that sets out the EU strategy for digital transformation. Productivity is highest in

certain sectors, such as digital and clean tech, which are expected to be the growth sectors of

the future. To make sure they can thrive in Europe, the EU has adopted a Green Deal

industrial plan

, proposed legislation on artificial intelligence, and regulated data services and

markets in a human-centric way. With the European Chips Act

, the EU will mobilise more

COM(2021) 118 final of 9 March 2021

The

Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net-Zero Age is a plan to enhance the competitiveness of Europe’s net-zero

industry and support the fast transition to climate neutrality. More details here

COM(2023) 62 final of 1 February 2023.

COM(2022) 45 final of 8 February 2023

SDG, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 2: KOM (2023) 0700 - Rapport fra Europa-Kommissionen vedr. status for EU’s implementering af FN’s verdensmål (EU’s Voluntary Review)

than EUR 43 billion in public and private investments and set out measures to prepare,

anticipate, and swiftly respond to any future supply chain disruptions, together with Member

States and international partners. Facilitating and simplifying access to financing, especially

for small- and medium-sized enterprises, and a favourable regulatory framework are essential

to lead the way in the green and digital transitions. Space technology in the form of satellite

navigation and earth observation is also being used to improve the resilience and

sustainability of agriculture, use of land and sea resources, and transport.

At the same time, the EU is fostering innovation with its New European Innovation Agenda

which aims to position the EU at the forefront of the new wave of deep-tech innovation and

start-ups within the European Research Area. The EU’s key funding programme for research

and innovation, Horizon Europe, with a budget of EUR 95.5 billion for 2021-2027, helps

deliver on all 17 SDGs and boosts the EU’s competitiveness and growth. These measures are

starting to pay off. The number of patent applications to the European Patent Office has

grown. However, the EU’s research and development intensity has grown only modestly,

reaching 2.27% in 2021, some distance away from the 3% target for 2030.

Education and training, skills and children

The younger generation is a driving force in the implementation of sustainable development.

Caring for the younger generation helps their development and growth. Targeted measures are

combined with strong social services.

Leaving no one behind also requires breaking the intergenerational cycles of disadvantage, an

objective pursued by the new

EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child

and the

European

Child Guarantee

. The latter guarantees effective access of children in need to key services

such as care, education, healthcare, nutrition and housing.

Digitalisation also brings children opportunities and benefits, but risks too. The new

Strategy

for a Better Internet for Kids

aims to ensure that children are protected, respected, and

empowered online. The Commission also proposed new

EU laws to prevent and combat

child sexual abuse online.

education and training (SDG 4),

starting from a high level, the EU has seen moderate

progress overall. On the one hand, the EU has made significant progress in early childhood

education, reducing the numbers of early school leavers, promoting apprenticeships schemes

in vocational education and training (VET) and increasing tertiary educational attainment.

The EU is already home to close to 5 000 higher education institutions and has 18 million

tertiary education students. Within the EU, 57.2% of all tertiary education graduates in 2020

were women

. On the other hand, adult participation in learning, and the share of adults with

COM(2022) 332 final of 5 July 2022

COM(2021) 142 final of 24 March 2021

Council Recommendation (EU) 2021/1004 of 14 June 2021 establishing a European Child Guarantee

COM(2022) 212 final of 11 May 2022

Eurostat:

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Tertiary_education_statistics

SDG, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 2: KOM (2023) 0700 - Rapport fra Europa-Kommissionen vedr. status for EU’s implementering af FN’s verdensmål (EU’s Voluntary Review)

at least basic digital skills, have not improved notably since 2015, and one in five young

Europeans still lacks adequate reading, mathematics, or science competencies.

After the

European Year of Youth

in 2022, 2023 is the

European Year of Skills,

with the

aim of promoting increased investments in training and upskilling, ensuring that skills are

relevant for labour market needs, and by matching people’s aspirations and skills with

opportunities. The European Year of Skills will specifically boost SDGs 4, 8 and 9. The

Erasmus+ programme,

contributes to improve the quality and relevance of education

systems through learning mobility, institutional cooperation and capacity building worldwide.

At global level, building on the

2022 UN Transforming Education Summit,

the EU will

follow up with determined action across various

priorities on education,

such as the training

of teachers, enhancing equality and inclusion, in education and promoting skills. The EU

provides collectively as Team Europe more than half of the support to global funds on

education, such as the Global Partnership for Education and Education Cannot Wait.

Through its

international partnerships,

the EU supports partner countries in the digital

transition. The Digital for Development Hub

is a new form of global digital cooperation

with the EU which supports regulatory frameworks on digital and data, and digital skills.

Through the Global Gateway, the EU supports digital infrastructure innovation globally, and

related action on education and research, notably through flagships such as the Digital

Alliance with Latin America and the Caribbean or the Digital Connectivity initiative in

Central Asia.

People and peace – promoting our European way of life and a new push for European

democracy

Promoting our European way of life

Security, justice and strong institutions are key enablers for inclusive and socially fair

economic growth. Benefiting from a robust rule of law framework and solid institutions, the

EU made strong progress towards

SDG 16.

The EU also recorded good progress until 2020

towards the goals on health and well-being (SDG

and, despite the setback caused by the

coronavirus pandemic, the positive trend is resuming.

Figure 6: Contribution to the SDGs of the headline ambition ‘promoting our European way of

life’

The foundations of a European Health Union have been laid to better protect the physical and

mental health of EU citizens, to equip the EU and its Member States with the means to

prevent and address future pandemics, and to improve the resilience of the EU’s healthcare

Link

here

SDG, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 2: KOM (2023) 0700 - Rapport fra Europa-Kommissionen vedr. status for EU’s implementering af FN’s verdensmål (EU’s Voluntary Review)

systems. The EU4Health programme

, with a EUR 5.3 billion budget for 2021-2027, is

strengthening health systems. Under the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan

, supported by EUR 4

billion in funding, of which EUR 1.25 billion comes from the EU4Health Programme, cancer

prevention, research, and patient care are being strengthened.

To protect everyone in the EU, the Commission has set out a new

Security Union Strategy

This contributes to the peaceful and inclusive societies targeted by

SDG 16.

The strategy

focuses on priority areas where the EU can help Member States in fostering security for all

those living in Europe. The strategy is crucial in reducing all forms of violence, ending abuse

and trafficking, and fighting organised crime and terrorism.

The

rule of law is a fundamental value

of the EU

. The EU has gradually strengthened its

toolbox to promote and protect the rule of law in the EU

. The toolbox includes both

preventive and reactive instruments, including, for instance, the annual Rule of Law reports

which allow to identify and address issues in EU Member States, or infringement procedures

when rule of law issues constitute breaches of EU law

. The

European Rule of Law

Mechanism

, with the Rule of Law reports at its centre, is a preventive tool, designed as a

yearly cycle of close dialogue among EU institutions, together with Member States, national

parliaments, civil society, and other stakeholders, to ensure monitoring and to deliver

recommendations. The Commission also adopted a strategy on strengthening the application

of fundamental rights in the EU

and reports annually on the application of the EU Charter of

Fundamental Rights

, while the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency reports annually on the

Charter’s implementation on the ground.

The proposed

New Pact on Migration and Asylum

aims to ensure that migration is

managed in an effective and human way, with fair and efficient asylum rules. Furthermore,

the external pillar of the Pact supports partner countries in managing migration across

migration corridors, including cooperation with countries of origin, transit and destination.

Solidarity to face the pandemic

As a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, about 1.7 million excess deaths were recorded

in the EU

Overcoming the pandemic through science and solidarity

has been a top

priority. Through the EU vaccines strategy, more than 1.7 billion doses of vaccines against

More information

here

More information

here

COM(2020) 605 final of 24 July 2020

Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU).

Commission Communication,

Strengthening the rule of law within the EU,

COM(2019) 343.

Rule of law mechanism (europa.eu)

https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-making-process/applying-eu-law/infringement-procedure_en

https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/upholding-rule-law/rule-

law/rule-law-mechanism_en.

COM(2020) 711 final of 2 December 2020.

https://commission.europa.eu/aid-development-cooperation-fundamental-rights/your-rights-eu/eu-charter-

fundamental-rights/application-charter_en.

COM(2020) 609 final of 23 September 2020

Between January 2020 and December 2022, compared with the average number of deaths registered during the

period 2016-2019.

SDG, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 2: KOM (2023) 0700 - Rapport fra Europa-Kommissionen vedr. status for EU’s implementering af FN’s verdensmål (EU’s Voluntary Review)

COVID-19 have been delivered to all corners of Europe, 86% of the adult population in the

EU has been fully vaccinated against the disease, and thousands of lives have been saved.

Globally, the EU is one of the lead donors in

COVAX,

the COVID-19 vaccine global access

facility. Between November 2020 and June 2022, the EU exported over 2.2 billion doses of

vaccines to a total of 167 countries, of which 478 million doses were donated through

COVAX to countries in need, particularly across Africa. The EU’s humanitarian aid also

specifically focused on ensuring access to vaccines for the most vulnerable not covered by

national vaccination programmes. The EU provides collectively as Team Europe substantial

support to global funds on health and promotes the reinforcement of global governance on

health, notably WHO. To improve global health security, the new

EU Global Health

Strategy,

adopted in November 2022, guides EU action for ensuring better preparedness and

response to health threats. Looking ahead to 2030, it aims to regain the lost ground on SDG

health targets by focusing on strengthening health systems, universal health coverage, primary

healthcare, public health and health determinants.

Through its

international partnerships,

the EU promotes the respect of human rights and the

pursuit of human development objectives and the principle of leaving no one behind, targeting

people living in the poorest and most vulnerable situations and crisis contexts, notably on

health (SDG 3), education (SDG 4), social protection (SDG 1) and gender equality (SDG 5).

The EU puts the fight against poverty at the heart of its international cooperation,

mainstreaming it as a cross-cutting objective. The EU is giving greater priority to fighting

inequalities by building inclusive and sustainable societies (SDG 10). At least 20% of the

budget under the Neighbourhood Development and International Cooperation Instrument -

Global Europe will contribute to human development. The EU undertakes transformational

Team Europe initiatives with a focus on human development, such as ‘Manufacturing and

access to vaccines, medicines & health technology products in Africa’ and ‘Teachers training

initiative in sub-Saharan Africa’ and provides dedicated support to global actions.

A new push for European democracy

Under the new push for European democracy, the EU is taking major actions contributing

directly to

SDG 5

on gender equality,

SDG 10

to reduce inequalities and

SDG 16

to promote

peace, justice, and strong institutions.

Figure 7: Contribution to the SDGs of headline ambition ‘a new push for European

democracy’

To tackle discrimination in the EU in line with

SDG 10

and

SDG 16,

the Commission

adopted the EU anti-racism action plan

, the EU Roma strategic framework for equality,

More information

here

SDG, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 2: KOM (2023) 0700 - Rapport fra Europa-Kommissionen vedr. status for EU’s implementering af FN’s verdensmål (EU’s Voluntary Review)

inclusion and participation

, the LGBTIQ equality strategy

, the EU strategy on combating

antisemitism and fostering Jewish life

and the

Strategy for the Rights of Persons with

Disabilities 2021-2030

. In addition, the Commission is fully engaged in combating any form

of hate speech and hate crime, which are illegal under EU law

In terms of public participation, the Commission is committed to

giving EU citizens a

greater say

in what the EU does and how it works for them; this is consistent with

SDG 16.

The EU is actively encouraging the participation of citizens, businesses and stakeholders in

the EU policymaking process. Anyone – not just EU citizens – can provide feedback online

throughout the entire policymaking cycle via the Commission’s Have Your Say portal

which has also been used for this voluntary review. Overall, the Commission has published

more than 5 000 feedback opportunities and received more than 3 million contributions. The

Conference on the Future of Europe

was a unique opportunity for structured debates with

citizens on key priorities, including how to deliver on the SDGs. More than 750 000

participants shared and debated close to 19 000 ideas. Building on the success of the

Conference on the Future of Europe, citizens’ panels are now part of the Commission’s

policymaking in certain key areas. The Conference led to commitments for new policy

initiatives often contributing to a range of relevant SDGs. In 2023, the new generation of

citizens’ panels will deliberate on initiatives on food waste, learning mobility, and virtual

worlds.

The year 2022 also marked the 10th anniversary of the European Citizens’ Initiative

. This

provides a significant means of taking active part in EU policymaking, by which citizens can

directly call on the Commission to propose new EU legislation.

The European democracy action plan

is designed to empower citizens and build more

resilient democracies across the EU by

promoting credible, transparent, and inclusive

elections, strengthening media freedom, and countering disinformation.

In 2023, a year

ahead of the next European Parliament elections, the Commission will present a defence of

democracy package, which will focus on transparency, electoral matters, boosting the civic

space, and promoting inclusive and effective engagement by public authorities with civil

society organisations and citizens. All of these, aim to bolster democratic resilience from

within the EU. The package will also be able to consider several democracy-related proposals

made by the Conference on the Future of Europe as regards citizen engagement in

policymaking.

More information

here

COM(2020)698 final

COM(2021)615 final

COM/2021/615 final.

2008

Framework Decision on combating certain forms of expressions of racism and xenophobia

Have Your Say portal:

https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say

More information

here.

More information

here.

COM(2020) 790 final of 3 December 2020

SDG, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 2: KOM (2023) 0700 - Rapport fra Europa-Kommissionen vedr. status for EU’s implementering af FN’s verdensmål (EU’s Voluntary Review)

Given that disinformation and information manipulation have a major adverse impact on

democratic society, the EU’s work will continue to focus on disinformation and interference,

with freedom of expression safeguarded as one of the highest values of our societies.

Gender equality

While the EU is a strong promoter of gender equality and has made significant progress in the

last decades, additional efforts are needed through various actions.

The

Gender Equality Strategy

for 2020-2025 delivers on a major component of this

commitment towards a Union of equality. With it, the EU aims at achieving a Union where

women and men freely pursue their chosen paths in life, have equal opportunities to thrive,

and equally participate in and lead society. Gender equality also plays a key role in education,

sustainable economic growth, and reduced inequalities. The number of women occupying

leadership positions has increased and the disparities between men and women in the labour

market have narrowed. However, gender gaps remain significant, and gender-based violence

is still a fact of life.

While the

principle of equal pay for equal work

is set down in the Treaty on the

Functioning of the EU

, a gender pay gap still exists

. The new

binding pay transparency

measures

will provide for more transparency and effective enforcement of the equal pay

principle. The EU had also adopted

new rules to ensure gender parity on the boards of

listed companies.

In March 2022, the Commission proposed EU-wide rules to

end gender-based violence

against women

and

domestic violence

. The proposed rules would criminalise rape based on

lack of consent, female genital mutilation and cyber violence, and strengthen victims’ access

to justice.

Through its

international partnerships,

the EU pursues these objectives at a global level. In

relation to SDG 16, governance, peace and security provide the foundation of the EU’s

external engagement for sustainable development. Progress on this SDG has a multiplier

effect on all SDGs. The EU implements a human rights-based approach in delivering on the

2030 Agenda, anchoring its actions in the protecting, respecting and fulfilling human rights

It acts to support rule of law, public participation, non-discrimination and equality, and

accountability, including dedicated action to support civil society and human rights defenders.

The EU actively promotes youth empowerment and participation, including through its Youth

Action Plan on external action. The EU also contributes to SDG 5 externally, by

mainstreaming gender equality in its international partnerships and ensuring that at least 85%

of all its external actions are gender-responsive. It also takes decisive action together with the

COM(2020) 152 final of 5 March 2020

Article 157 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union

ttps://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/sdg_05_20/default/table?lang=en

More information

here

COM(2022) 105 final of 8 March 2022

SWD(2021) 179 final of 30 June 2021.

SDG, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 2: KOM (2023) 0700 - Rapport fra Europa-Kommissionen vedr. status for EU’s implementering af FN’s verdensmål (EU’s Voluntary Review)

UN, such as through the Spotlight Initiative. It furthermore ensures that EU-funded

humanitarian action is gender and age sensitive by means of its own humanitarian gender-age

marker. As such, a recent assessment showed that in 2021 96% of humanitarian funding took

gender and age considerations into account to some or a large extent.

Partnership – a stronger Europe in the world

The EU objectives, notably the twin green and digital transitions, and the pursuit of the SDGs,

cannot be achieved without engaging with partner countries and at multilateral level.

Figure 8: Contribution to the SDGs of the headline ambition ‘a stronger Europe in the world’

Supporting partner countries in the implementation of the SDGs became a central objective of

EU international partnerships with the 2017

European Consensus on Development

Eradicating poverty, tackling discrimination and inequalities, and leaving no one behind are at

the centre of our international partnerships, which aim to foster sustainable development by

supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. This determined action in support of the

SDGs, combined with EU priorities, is being taken further through programmes under

NDICI-Global Europe, the main external financial instrument (including its investment arm,

the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus). Partnering with the private sector is

critical to mobilise the financial investment needed to progress towards the SDGs. The EU

promotes innovative financial instruments, such as blending of private and public sources and

providing guarantees to support private investments in partner countries, especially countries

most in need.

Global Gateway,

launched in December 2021, is the EU’s offer and effective contribution to

strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership (SDG

17),

with

a view to pursuing the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs, while contributing to the Paris Agreement.

Global Gateway helps promote greater public and private investments in sustainable

connectivity, notably through transport, energy and digitalisation infrastructure, and related

people-to-people connections (in health and education). To support at the global level the

green and digital transitions together with the SDGs, Global Gateway is being rolled out by

the EU and its Member States in a Team Europe approach. In partnership with partner

countries, Global Gateway aims to leverage multiple sources of funding including private

sector investments, to help narrow the global investment gap. The EU aims to collectively

mobilise up to EUR 300 billion in investments by 2027, with half of this across Africa. Each

individual Global Gateway initiative financed by the EU budget will identify and integrate the

relevant SDGs at all stages – from design to implementation and reporting.

Figure 9: Global Gateway and the SDGs

More information

here

SDG, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 2: KOM (2023) 0700 - Rapport fra Europa-Kommissionen vedr. status for EU’s implementering af FN’s verdensmål (EU’s Voluntary Review)

Overall, the EU and its Member States are the

leading donors of official development

assistance (ODA) globally,

collectively providing EUR 92.8 billion in 2022 (based on

preliminary OECD figures), which accounts for 43% of global assistance. This corresponds to

0.59% of their collective gross national income (GNI). They stay committed to reaching their

collective target of providing 0.7% of GNI as ODA by 2030 in line with the 2030 Agenda.

The EU and its Member States, in a Team Europe approach, have supported partner countries

towards sustainable recovery aligned with the SDGs. For this purpose, they provided

EUR 47.7 billion from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic up to the end of 2021. This

is accompanied by efforts to mobilise the private sector to leverage investments for

transformational impact.

The EU is strongly committed to effective

multilateralism,

with the UN at its core, in

particular in implementing the 2030 Agenda globally. This includes engaging with the

UN,

the

and

G20

groups of nations, the

World Bank Group,

the

International Monetary

Fund,

the

Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development

(OECD) and others

in this collective effort. This also means

strengthening global governance

where it is most

needed, notably for global public goods, which need to be protected and managed collectively

to progress towards the SDGs. The EU is leading efforts to deliver on climate reduction and

mitigation, biodiversity protection and ocean governance. These efforts and partnerships will

support the implementation of several SDGs given their interconnected nature.

Policy coherence for development

Policymakers in the EU need to consider external impacts on partner countries when

implementing domestic policies. This requirement in the EU Treaties is generally known as

‘policy coherence for development’. It is highlighted in the 2017 European Consensus on

Development as a crucial element of the EU’s strategy to achieve the SDGs.

This requirement is now implemented in the context of advancing the 2030 Agenda globally.

Its focus has broadened beyond the traditional five strategic challenges (trade and finance,

SDG, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 2: KOM (2023) 0700 - Rapport fra Europa-Kommissionen vedr. status for EU’s implementering af FN’s verdensmål (EU’s Voluntary Review)

climate change, food security, migration, and security) to reflect the new and interrelated

dynamics of the SDGs. Reporting on policy coherence for development has become part and

parcel of a comprehensive reporting on SDG implementation and is therefore addressed in

this voluntary review.

The EU aims at developing common approaches with key partners to foster reliable

partnerships and alliances in a global context, thus contributing to strengthening the

rules-

based global order

and international law. This includes support to international human rights

and international humanitarian law and their effective implementation, which is a condition

for making progress towards the SDGs, an objective particularly apposite on the 75

anniversary of the

Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The EU and its Member States

are the major donors worldwide in support of democracy, rule of law and the respect for

human rights. Furthermore, EU Member States were also instrumental in the adoption in April

2023 of a UN Human Rights Council resolution reaffirming the centrality of human rights in

the efforts to put the SDGs back on track.

Open, rules-based, and fair

trade

is a key tool for promoting sustainable development, and for

increasing prosperity and well-being. The EU takes an active role to set a strong trade agenda

to set the highest possible global standards and contribute to the implementation of the SDGs

internationally. Sustainability and the advancement of the SDGs are also at the core of the

EU’s Trade Policy Review

for the coming years. Each new comprehensive bilateral trade

agreement between the EU and its partners contains a trade and sustainable development

chapter promoting strong commitments for the climate, environmental and labour protection,

and gender equality. The EU is also pursuing a new generation of investment agreements that

aim to facilitate sustainable investment and include strong commitments on international

instruments on human rights, labour standards, environmental preservation, and good

governance. These commitments are also at the heart of the EU’s Generalised Scheme of

Preferences, notably through the special incentive arrangement on sustainable development

and good governance (GSP+). The EU’s Anti-torture Regulation also reflects the EU’s

commitment to the eradication of torture and the death penalty.

The

World Trade Organization

(WTO) must contribute to ensuring a sustainable, green,

and inclusive global recovery from the pandemic, where the recovery is aligned with the

SDGs. The EU was active in the negotiations that successfully resulted in 2022 in the

WTO

agreement on fisheries subsidies,

thereby addressing an explicit objective laid down in the

2030 Agenda.

The effective implementation of the SDGs also requires that workers enjoy decent working

conditions globally. The EU is already taking strong action to promote decent work

worldwide, and the elimination of child labour and forced labour, consistent with the SDGs.

Key partners in this regard include the

International Labour Organization, the OECD

and

the

and

G20.

COM(2021) 66 final of 18 February 2021

SDG, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 2: KOM (2023) 0700 - Rapport fra Europa-Kommissionen vedr. status for EU’s implementering af FN’s verdensmål (EU’s Voluntary Review)

The EU plays an active role in promoting sound and sustainable macroeconomic policies at

global level and in partner countries. It does this through economic diplomacy and

macroeconomic dialogues as part of its bilateral relations, including in multilateral for a such

as the G20.

4. Lessons learnt and looking ahead to 2030

Several valuable lessons learnt provide the basis for renewed actions to accelerate the delivery

of the 2030 Agenda within the EU and in its international partnerships.

Strong institutions and evidence-based law-making to ensure policy coherence for

sustainable development

The whole-of-government approach to making progress on the SDGs ensures political

oversight and coordination at all levels. The EU will ensure that its ambitious initiatives are

effectively implemented on the ground at national, regional, and local level. The economic,

social, environmental, and governance dimensions of sustainable development are integrated

at all stages of policymaking in a balanced manner. The Commission’s Better Regulation

framework

requires that the impact assessment of every legislative proposal identifies how

the EU action will contribute to the implementation of the SDGs. The impact assessments and

evaluations address interlinkages, synergies, and trade-offs between the relevant SDGs.

Leveraging the power of the budget

The EU budget is an effective instrument to deliver major progress on the 2030 Agenda. The

EU has already made progress in integrating the SDGs into its budget cycle. In the case of

international partnerships, SDGs are actively integrated in the design of projects and

programmes, in results frameworks (in combination with EU priorities) and in annual reports

on the implementation of the EU’s external action instruments.

Communicating better with citizens and a whole-of-society approach

Delivering on the SDGs is not only a matter for public authorities; it also requires the full

participation of civil society and the private sector. For SDGs implementation to be effective,

they must be actively supported by communication that engages with citizens, national,

regional, and local authorities, media, civil society organisations, the private sector, and

stakeholders on the ground. The benefits should be clearly presented, while remaining

challenges should be addressed in a transparent manner. The sustained involvement of civil

society organisations, social partners, national, regional and local authorities, and EU-level

organisations, including the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of

the Regions, are important for mobilising the national-level stakeholders and regional

communities that are key to the SDG delivery. In this regard, the European Climate Pact

facilitates interaction with citizens and organisations on how climate action can support

progress towards SDG 13 and a range of interrelated SDGs.

More information

here.

European Climate Pact

https://climate-pact.europa.eu/

SDG, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 2: KOM (2023) 0700 - Rapport fra Europa-Kommissionen vedr. status for EU’s implementering af FN’s verdensmål (EU’s Voluntary Review)

Monitoring and reporting

At a global level, the EU actively participates in the annual meetings of the High-level

Political Forum for Sustainable Development (HLPF), which is the main platform to follow

up and review the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. This voluntary review will be

presented at the 2023 HLPF meeting as the EU’s contribution to this shared universal peer

review effort.

The Commission also reports regularly on progress towards the SDGs across EU internal and

external policies and actions. Each year, Eurostat publishes a report covering progress

towards the SDGs, based on the most relevant SDG indicators at EU level.

EU engagement on SDGs in the world

The EU is committed to supporting the accelerated implementation of the SDGs at global

level, including in relations with partner countries and at multilateral level. EU international

partnerships and the EU’s main external spending instrument, NDICI-Global Europe, include

priorities that encompass the whole 2030 Agenda and its principles, in particular leaving no

one behind. The EU’s Global Gateway strategy will directly contribute to making progress on

a range of interlinked SDGs. The EU supports discussions on the international finance

architecture with a focus on the reform of multilateral development banks to ensure that they

are fit for purpose and to make progress towards the SDGs.

Looking ahead

- Further to the revised Better Regulation framework, the EU will ensure that legislative

proposals contribute to delivering on the SDGs.

- The EU will take further the commitment to inform on the implementation of the SDGs in

all relevant Union programmes.

- Building on their contribution to the preparation of the voluntary review, the European

Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions will continue to play a

key role as platforms to regularly exchange with stakeholders on SDG implementation.

- The EU will regularly improve its SDG indicator set, including addressing external spillover

effects, and will further integrate SDGs across its reports.

- The EU will continue to actively integrate the SDGs in the implementation of Global

Gateway flagships and sustainable infrastructure investments, while stepping up efforts to

mobilise private sector mobilisation in support of the SDGs.

- The EU will make greater effort to address inequalities across its external actions, by

helping to build inclusive and sustainable societies.

Conclusions

This review presents the broad range of actions that the EU has put in place across all its

policy areas to deliver on the SDGs, and commitments directly contributing to the SDGs.

SDG, Alm.del - 2022-23 (2. samling) - Bilag 2: KOM (2023) 0700 - Rapport fra Europa-Kommissionen vedr. status for EU’s implementering af FN’s verdensmål (EU’s Voluntary Review)

Despite challenges and recent crises, the EU is fully committed and engaged in action to make

progress on all SDGs and will continue to monitor them.

Through its whole of government approach the EU will promote cooperative solutions, as has

been done previously to overcome the pandemic, to accelerate the economic recovery, to

support Ukraine and to achieve sustainability at home and abroad. At the same time,

European national, regional, and local authorities, social partners, civil society organisations,

the private sector, and stakeholders on the ground need to continue to work together to

address remaining challenges and find solutions that promote the SDGs. This is to be done in

a whole-of-society approach that leaves no one behind.

The

SDG Summit in 2023

provides an opportunity for the global community to review the

state of progress towards the SDGs and regain political momentum to accelerate the delivery.

The SDG Summit can also advance proposals from the UN Secretary-General’s Our Common

Agenda to speed up the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The 2024 Summit of the Future

proposed by the UN Secretary-General and the SDG Summit share the same overall objective,

which is to create the conditions for a sustainable, equitable and inclusive future, with the

2030 Agenda as our shared roadmap. The EU looks forward to a successful SDG Summit,

bringing together all countries and stakeholders to agree on ambitious concrete actions to

speed up implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The EU is committed to accelerating

implementation of the 2030 Agenda in a common direction for enhanced efforts across the

globe toward sustainable development, fairness and prosperity.