This review provides information on the implementation of global sustainable development goals in Estonia. This is the second such review since the adoption of the UN 2030 Agenda.
The review highlights the main measures and activities of the government and the non-governmental sector, especially in 2017–2019, which contribute to the implementation of 18 sustainable development goals. In addition to the 17 global sustainable development goals, Estonia also monitors the goal of the viability of the cultural space, which arises from the Estonian sustainable development strategy “Sustainable Estonia 21”. The report also provides an overview of the strategic and institutional framework for the coordination and monitoring of sustainable development issues in Estonia. The main principles for integrating sustainable development goals into national frameworks and creating a sense of participation in the implementation of the goals are presented.
Estonia’s situation in implementing the goals of sustainable development can generally be assessed as successful. In the last four years, a good status has been maintained or improved in several areas. In 2019, Estonia ranked tenth in the global sustainable development index table.
Estonia’s strengths are high-quality and accessible education, efficient health care management, high employment, including a minimum long-term unemployment rate, and a large share of renewable energy in final energy consumption.
However, Estonia also has several areas in which it must continue its efforts to achieve global goals and Estonia’s sustainable development goals. The main tasks are to achieve gender equality (although the pay gap in Estonia has decreased in recent years, it is still one of the highest in Europe), reduce the risk of poverty for women and people with disabilities, including families with children with disabilities, ensure efficient waste management and recycling, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and preserve biodiversity.
Human health indicators, in particular mental health indicators, also need to be improved, and preventable deaths must be reduced.
Source: Government of Estonia