THE EU COMMITTMENTS TO SUSTAINABILE DEVELOPMENT

The EU has reaffirmed its commitment in the fight for sustainability through a document recently released.

Author: Mélanie Romat

The European Union has released last week a communication[1] explaining in details its commitments, policies and actions contributing to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined by the United Nations.

The 19 pages document establishes connections between each one of the SDGs and the EU policies, stressing on the actions carried on within the European framework to improve social, environmental and economic sustainability between 2030.

For instance, to achieve Goal 2 (“End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture”), the document explains how the recently reformed Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is based on three main objectives: a viable food production, a sustainable management of natural resources and a balanced territorial development.

The Common Fishery Policy is another measure of the EU that allows reaching a better management of resources for a more sustainable food supply. The Fund for European Aid to the most Deprived (FEAD) is also mentioned, since it supports Member States in providing food to the most disadvantaged people.

Some tools from the EU policy are more transversal and make possible the fulfillment of several SDGs at once. This is the case of the Investment Plan for Europe that seeks to mobilize EUR 500bn to invest in different strategic sectors from European economy by 2020, through the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI). This plan should enable investments in sectors such as health, education, water, energy, transports and other infrastructures, industries and agriculture, as well as promotion of future initiatives, for example renewable energy, circular economy, adaptation to climate, always keeping in mind sustainability as the main challenge.

Moreover, it is expected that in its second phase, the EFSI dedicate at least 40% of its activities to the fight against climate change.

On the other hand, there is a political commitment to allocate at least 20% of EU budget to climate actions. In addition, Horizon 2020 is also expected to contribute at least 60% of its budget to sustainable development, and 35% to climate actions.

As a part of the Global Partnership to implement the SDGs (SDG2017), the EU is committed to provide 0,7% of its GNI in Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects, and to provide 0,15% to support Least Developed countries in the short term, with the aim to reach a 0,20% by 2030, respecting the timetable fixed by UN Agenda.

Circular Economy is another important component of the set of European actions that embraces several SDGs (6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15). The transition towards circular economy offers opportunities in terms of employment and growing potential, encouraging sustainable production and consumption models. It represents an opportunity for the EU to modernize its economy and to become more competitive and green. Taking into account these aspects, Circular Economy represents a priority within European agenda. For that purpose, a Circular Economy action plan has been defined in 2015 and we expect a Monitoring Framework for the Circular Economy in Europe to be ready in 2017.

Another challenge raised by the SGDs (goal 11) is the role filled by cities in a more and more urbanized society. Cities occupy a central position before the economic, environmental and social challenges since 70% of Europeans live in cities and 85% of European GNI is generated in urban areas. Fighting against CO2 emissions, social inequity, unemployment and pollution are the challenges we have to face in relation to this new urban reality.

EU External Action is also in line with the 2030 Agenda, through a development cooperation based on respect for human rights, inclusion, participation, equity, transparency and fight against discrimination. With this vision in mind, EU has presented, together with the communication here analyzed, the New European Consensus on Development “Our World, Our Dignity, Our Future”[2]. This document goes far beyond the traditional approach of international cooperation and focuses on how to mobilize broader resources to finance the SDGs, combining internal funds and private contributions, encouraging the public-private collaboration.

The monitoring of progress’ indicators in the implementation of SDGs must be the key to measure the EU contribution in the future. For that purpose, a series of tools has been defined, allowing the monitoring and follow up of European countries’ progresses, through the publication of regular reports. A detailed framework of the EU contributions in this context can be found in the Eurostats publication released in parallel to this communication[3].

From 2017, the Commission will provide more regular and detailed information together with transversal tools collecting data from the Commission, the several Agencies, Member States and External Action Service. The goal pursued is to offer a rigorous monitoring of EU commitment and of the efforts that still need to be made to fulfill the Goals raised by 2030 Agenda. The challenge is ambitious but it is in everyone’s hands to reconsider the role of public, private sectors and civil society to achieve it.

[1] Available online: https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/sites/devco/files/communication-next-steps-sustainable-europe-20161122_en.pdf

[2] [2] Available online: https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/sites/devco/files/communication-proposal-new-consensus-development-20161122_en.pdf

[3] [3] Eurostat, “Sustainable Development in the European Union – A statistical glance from the viewpoint of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (2016)”