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How can NGOs use the SDGs?

There is a huge untapped potential for NGOs to better follow the implementation of SDGs. For example, your proposal for a more environmentally and social-friendly alternative to policy decision X is likely to be aligned with your government’s obligation to meet target Y of Sustainable Development Goal Z. No matter which environmental issue you are dealing with, there is likely to be a target and/or an indicator that you can refer to when formulating demands to policymakers. The SDGs are a useful global agenda to address a multitude of local and topical issues.

More details on the “get started” page.

A best practice in Europe

SDG Watch Europe is an EU-level alliance of NGOs from development, environment, social, human rights and other sectors. It’s goal is to hold governments and the EU to account for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs). The coalition was first started when a group of Brussels-based NGOs came together in June 2015 to discuss how they could bring added-value to the monitoring of the Agenda 2030 in the EU. The EEB played a pivotal role in its foundation. After ad-hoc meetings, the coalition was publicly launched in October 2016 and it now monitors EU processes and encourages national platforms in Member States.

A best practice at national level

The Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development (Asvis) was founded in February 2016 thanks to the initiative of Fondazione Unipolis and the University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’. The alliance currently gathers over 140 organisations including trade unions, territorial entities, public and private universities, CSOs, etc. The activities of Asvis are funded uniquely from members’ financial contributions. The mission of this alliance is to encourage a sustainable lifestyle in private and public organisations and citizens, to analyse the opportunities and implications of the Agenda 2030 for Italy and to contribute to the implementation of the SDGs in Italy. Asvis is member of the ESDN (European Sustainable Development Network).

SDGs and Environmental Organisations

How can the environmental movement use the SDGs?

Out of the 169 targets that make up the 17 SDGs, 59 are environmental targets. But for historic reasons environmental NGOs are currently underrepresented in the NGO coalitions that engage in holding states to account in relation to their SDG implementation. This represents huge untapped potential for environmental NGOs. For example, your proposal for a more environmentally friendly alternative to policy decision X is likely to be aligned with your government’s obligation to meet target Y of Sustainable Development Goal Z. No matter which environmental issue you are dealing with, there is likely to be a target and/or an indicator that you can refer to when formulating demands to policymakers. The SDGs are a useful global agenda to address a multitude of local and topical issues.

Why are 2018 and 2019 key SDG years for environmental organisations?

The review of progress on each of the 17 SDGs (and the potential to influence the agenda) is spread out over three years. The peak year for the environmental movement is 2018. Almost all environmental SDGs will be reviewed at the HLPF in 2018, where the topic is ‘Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies’. This includes a review of goals 6, 7, 11, 12 and 15. All of them are environmental goals. In 2019 the topic will be ‘Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality’. Goal 13 on climate change will be reviewed, as well as goals 4, 8, 10 and 16.