What Can Local Governments do to Achieve the Global Goals?

In order to achieve the United Nations’ 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development, we need the participation of all levels of society, including all levels of government.

These 17 goals are accompanied by 169 targets and 232 measurable indicators. Over 100 of these targets and a majority of these indicators apply just as much to local government as they do to federal and state government.

There are a number of benefits for local governments looking to align their current practices to the Global Goals. There are also a number of benefits for local governments looking to extend their current economic, social and environmental sustainability practices in order to meet the challenges set out in the Global Goals Agenda.

By using the Global Goals as a framework, local governments can reach international standards in their sustainability policies by following a streamlined system of measuring outcomes of policies and programs aimed at achieving sustainability. These outcomes can then be compared to those of local governments all over the world to understand best practice.

The Global Goals also provide local governments with a unique opportunity to accessibly and concisely communicate their sustainability policies and programs for more meaningful community engagement.

The list of ways for local governments to participate in the achievement of the Global Goals is extensive. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Community grants
• Healthy eating initiatives
• Provision of places to exercise
• Education initiatives
• Gender equality targets
• Waterwise initiatives
• Renewable energy incentives
• Youth training programs
• Sustainable building design policies
• Cultural development initiatives
• Provision of green and public spaces
• Recycling initiatives
• Climate change policies
• Coastal safeguarding initiatives
• Environmental safeguarding initiatives
• Provision of rangers
• Partnerships and collaboration with community organisations to achieve sustainable development

This is only just a preliminary list. There are thousands of ways in which your local government can maximise your existing commitment to sustainability and set your council more ambitious sustainability targets by aligning with the Global Goals. To find out more about how you can do this, contact a member of our team today!

This article was originally published on the Strategic Sustainability Consultants website.