The Sustainable Development Goals (also known as the SDGs or Global Goals) have been agreed by each country and every government in the world. The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development sets out actions they must take towards achieving the goals.
Each country needs to take these actions in ways that work for them. In Wales, the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 is part of the Welsh way of implementing the SDGs at local and national levels. The Future Generations Commissioner oversees implementation of that Act.
At the United Nations, the United Kingdom is the ‘Member State’ and as such is expected, at least once, to conduct a Voluntary National Review (VNR) and present a report to the United Nations High Level Political Forum. The UK Government did this by submitting a UK VNR report in 2019.
The SDGs provide opportunities for impact and influence at all levels, from community to local, national and international levels. However, the way in which the SDGs agenda and child rights or wider human rights agendas support each other is not yet fully worked out. You can read more about this in our article, Integrating Sustainable Development and Children’s Rights: A Case Study on Wales (Croke, Dale, Dunhill, Roberts, Unnithan & Williams) (2021) Social Sciences, 10(3), 100.
Reflecting on experience of supporting Lleisiau Bach Little Voices projects, we can see that many resonate with one or more of the 17 SDGs:
- No poverty
- Zero hunger
- Good health and well-being
- Quality education
- Gender equality
- Clean water and sanitation
- Affordable and clean energy
- Decent work and economic growth
- Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- Reduced Inequalities
- Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Responsible Consumption and Production
- Climate Action
- Life Below Water
- Life on Land
- Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
- Partnerships
If you want to browse the local projects using the 17 SDGs, along with UNCRC themes, Well-being Goals and ways of working, you can do so here.