Organisations have demanded commitment from PM Boris Johnson to “accelerate progress” on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A group of organisations spearheaded by UK Stakeholders for Sustainable Development (UKSSD), delivered a resolute brief to Prime Minister Boris Johnson this week.
It outlines three key actions the Government must undertake to uphold its promises for achieving the SDGs in the UK.
Assembled from the views and expertise of UKSSD members, the brief asks the PM to:
- Show leadership by signalling support for organisations to work together in the UK, across sectors and industries, to transform broken or failing systems
- Publicly communicate the importance of the SDGs and develop a more effective approach to their implementation
- Help the UK understand its performance on the SDGs by openly disclosing progress towards the targets
Developed by the UN, the 17 Goals provide a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. They are an urgent call for action by all countries in a global partnership.
However, in 2018, research by UKSSD found that the UK is failing to perform on 76% of the targets under the 17 Goals.
This brief makes the case for why Prime Minister Boris Johnson needs to show leadership on this agenda after a lacklustre approach from the UK Government so far
The deadline for achieving them has been set for the end of the decade, making 2020 a crucial time – it marks the 10-year countdown for us to deliver the Goals and build the future we want.
UKSSD Network Director Emily Auckland said: “This brief makes the case for why Prime Minister Boris Johnson needs to show leadership on this agenda after a lacklustre approach from the UK Government so far.
“It reflects the work of UKSSD over the last five years and the views of stakeholders across the country, representing different sectors and industries. We hope it shows we’re serious about working with his Government on the SDGs and look forward to receiving a formal response”.
The UKSSD’s review of the UK’s progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, it claimed that the people of Britain were being “left behind”, and at the same time, are consuming “far beyond its share” of the planet’s natural resources.
The brief aims to gives clear expectations and instruction on how the UK can “fast-forward” the UK’s progress on the Goals.
With collaboration at its core, recommendations include helping to build and encourage partnerships, a coordinated communications campaign, and an independent monitoring and review process.