The ‘Sustainable Progress Index 2018’ compares Ireland’s progress on achieving the SDGs compared to its peer countries in EU-15.
While affluence affords the resources to address social, environmental and political concerns, the evidence suggests that it is not enough. Some of the measures used to pursue economic growth (policies and values) are often barriers to social progress and environmental sustainability.
Increasingly, policy analysts and international agencies are promoting a more direct approach to address these issues rather than pursuing the old strategy of economic growth with the hope that the benefits will trickle down to eradicate poverty, protect the environment and promote social exclusion.
Source: Irish Environmental Network (IEN) and Social Justice Ireland