COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Next steps for a sustainable European future European action for sustainability
Date: 2016-11-22
Institutions: European Commission, Secretariat-General
Subjects: EU financial instrument, EU policy, EU relations, EU situation, European Union, economic and social cohesion, sustainable development

EN 

   EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Strasbourg, 22.11.2016  COM(2016) 739 final   COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Next steps for a sustainable European future European action for sustainability  {SWD(2016) 390 final}  
 
 
1. INTRODUCTION: THE EU'S COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 

Sustainable  development  has  since  long  been  at  the  heart  of  the  European  project.  The  EU 
Treaties give recognition to its economic, social and environmental dimensions which should 
be  addressed  together.  The  EU  is  committed  to  development  that  meets  the  needs  of  the 
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. A life 
of dignity for all within the planet's limits that reconciles economic prosperity and efficiency, 
peaceful  societies,  social  inclusion  and  environmental  responsibility  is  at  the  essence  of 
sustainable development. 

European  societies  today  face  many  sustainability  challenges  from  youth  unemployment  to 
ageing  populations,  climate  change,  pollution,  sustainable  energy  and  migration.  We  must 
tackle current challenges and prepare for the future, responding to the pace and complexity of 
global change and the demands of an increasing global population. To preserve the European 
social model and social cohesion, it is essential to invest in our young people, foster inclusive 
and sustainable growth, tackle inequalities and manage well migration. Pursuing responsible 
fiscal policies and  implementing  reforms will strengthen the sustainability of our  healthcare 
and pension systems. To preserve our natural capital, it is crucial to accelerate the transition to 
a low-carbon, climate resilient, resource efficient and circular economy. For these challenges 
to  become  opportunities  for  new  businesses  and  new  jobs,  a  strong  engagement  in  research 
and innovation is needed. 

The  EU  has  a  strong  starting  position  and  track  record,  with  a  high  level  of  economic 
development,  social  cohesion,  democratic  societies  and  a  commitment  to  sustainable 
development  which  is  firmly  anchored  in  the  European  Treaties1.  The  Treaty  on  European 
Union2  requires  the  Union  to  ensure  consistency  between  the  different  areas  of  its  external 
action and between these and its other policies.  

Under the current Commission sustainable development is mainstreamed in key cross-cutting 
projects  as  well  as  in  sectoral  policies  and  initiatives.  In  the  past,  an  EU  Sustainable 
Development Strategy was launched in 20013, revised in 20064 and reviewed in 20095. Since 
2010,  sustainable  development  has  been  mainstreamed  into  the  Europe  2020  strategy6, 
confirmed  by  the  current  Commission  and  built  around  education  and  innovation  ("smart"), 
low  carbon  emissions,  climate  resilience  and  environmental  impact  ("sustainable")  and  job 
creation and poverty reduction ("inclusive").  

1.1  The  2030  Agenda  for  Sustainable  Development  and  the  Sustainable  Development 
Goals (SDGs) 

2015 marked a defining year for sustainable development worldwide. World leaders adopted 
at  the  70th  UN  General  Assembly  on  25  September  2015  a  new  global  sustainable 
development framework: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (hereafter the "2030 

1 Articles 3 (5) and 21 (2) of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) 
2 Article 21 (3), 2nd subparagraph of the Treaty on European Union 
3 COM/2001/0264 final 
4 European Council DOC 10917/06 
5 COM(2009) 400 final 
6 COM(2010) 2020 final 

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Agenda")7 having at its core the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the same year, 
the Paris Climate Agreement (COP21)8, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda9, as an integral part 
of  the  2030  Agenda,  and  the  Sendai  Framework  for  Disaster  Risk  Reduction10  were  also 
adopted.  

The EU was instrumental in shaping the global 2030 Agenda, which is fully consistent with 
Europe's vision and has now become the world's blueprint for global sustainable development. 
The  2030  Agenda  represents  a  commitment  to  eradicate  poverty  and  achieve  sustainable 
development by 2030 worldwide, ensuring that no one is left behind. The 17 SDGs and their 
169  associated  targets  are  global  in  nature,  universally  applicable  and  interlinked.  All 
countries, developed and developing alike, have a shared responsibility to achieve the SDGs. 
The  2030  Agenda  integrates  in  a  balanced  manner  the  three  dimensions  of  sustainable 
development  -  economic,  social  and  environmental  -  and  reflects  for  the  first  time  an 
international consensus that peace, security, justice for all, and social inclusion are not only to 
be pursued on their own but that they reinforce each other.  

The  2030  Agenda  is  based  on  a  global  partnership  involving  all  stakeholders,  requires 
mobilisation of all means of implementation and a strong follow-up and review mechanism to 
ensure  progress  and  accountability.  The  17  SDGs  provide  qualitative  and  quantitative 
objectives for the next 15 years to prepare ourselves for the future and work towards human 
dignity, stability, a healthy planet, fair and resilient societies and prosperous economies. They 
help to steer a process of convergence, between Member States, within societies and with the 
rest of the world.  

1.2 Next steps for a sustainable European future 

The  EU  is  fully  committed  to  be  a  frontrunner  in  implementing  the  2030  Agenda  and  the 
SDGs,  together  with  its Member  States,  in  line  with  the  principle  of  subsidiarity.  The  2030 
Agenda  will  further  catalyse  a  joined-up  approach  between  the  EU's  external  action  and  its 
other policies and coherence across EU financing instruments. 

The EU's answer to the 2030 Agenda will include two work streams. The first work stream, 
presented  in  this  Communication,  is  to  fully  integrate  the  SDGs  in  the  European  policy 
framework and current Commission priorities, assessing where we stand and identifying the 
most relevant  sustainability concerns. A second track will launch reflection work on  further 
developing our longer term vision and the focus of sectoral policies after 2020, preparing for 
the  long  term  implementation  of  the  SDGs.  The  new  Multiannual  Financial  Framework 
beyond 2020 will also reorient the EU budget's contributions towards the achievement of the 
EU's long-term objectives.  

7 UN Resolution A/RES/70/1 
8 UN decision -/CP.21, adoption of the Paris Agreement 
9 UN Resolution A/RES/69/313 
10 Adopted at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan, on March 18, 2015 

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2. THE EUROPEAN RESPONSE TO THE 2030 AGENDA 

The  2030  Agenda  provides  an  opportunity  for  the  EU  to  strongly  anchor  its  strategic 
orientation in the global effort to build a sustainable future, which the Union has co-shaped 
together  with  its  partners.  The  SDGs  are  already  being  pursued  through  many  of  the  EU's 
policies and integrated in all the Commission's ten priorities. 

2.1 Mapping of European policies contributing to the SDGs 

A  full  overview  of  how  European  policies  and  actions  contribute  to  the  Sustainable 
Development Goals, within the EU and through the EU's external action, is presented in the 
Staff Working Document accompanying this Communication. For each of the 17 SDGs, the 
most relevant actions that the European Union is undertaking are summarised.  

This mapping exercise shows that current EU policies address all 17 goals. The Europe 2020 
strategy plays an important role in addressing several of the SDGs. While Europe can point to 
good  achievements  and  progress  under  all  goals,  strengthened  implementation  and  further 
focused action in all areas will be required to implement the full 2030 Agenda by 2030.  

The  instruments  used  to  deliver  on  individual  SDGs  also  depend  on  where  division  of 
responsibilities lies between the EU and Member States.  

Some of the main actions contributing to the SDGs within the EU include: 

On  SDG  1  "End  poverty  in  all  its  forms  everywhere",  the  role  of  the  European  Union 
internally,  in  line  with  the  subsidiarity  principle,  is  mainly  to  support  Member  States  in  the 
fight against poverty to help them reach the headline target on poverty set by the Europe 2020 
strategy in a context where the crisis has affected progress towards the target.  

For  SDG  2  "End  hunger,  achieve  food  security  and  improved  nutrition  and  promote 
sustainable  agriculture",  the  reformed  Common  Agricultural  Policy  (CAP)  has  three 
objectives  that  remain  very  relevant  and  high  on  the  agenda:  viable  food  production, 
sustainable  management  of  natural  resources  and  climate  action,  and  balanced  territorial 
development.  Similarly  the  reformed  Common  Fisheries  Policy  aims  at  contributing  to 
sustainable  food  supply  through  sustainable  fishing  and  aquaculture  activities.  Through  the 
Fund  for  European  Aid  to  the  most  Deprived  the  EU  supports  Member  States'  actions  to 
provide  sufficient  amounts  of  safe  and  nutritious  food  to  the  most  deprived  people.  These 
policies are complemented by research and innovation actions on food and nutrition security 
such as FOOD 2030. 

On  SDG  3  "Ensure  healthy  lives  and  promote  well-being  for  all  at  all  ages"  the  EU 
complements Member States' action through legislation and other initiatives on public health, 
health systems and environment related health problems (including air quality, chemicals and 
waste).  Health  is  important  for  people's  individual  well-being  and  for  shaping  a  sustainable 
economy  as  it  is  key  to  improve  labour  market  participation  and  productivity11.  The 
Commission will help Member States to reach the SDG targets, in particular reducing chronic 

11  The  forthcoming  publication  "OECD/EU's  Health  at  a  Glance:  Europe  2016"  shows  that  although  life 
expectancy  in  the  EU  has  increased  on  average  by  7  years  since  the  early  1990s,  there  has  been  no  gains  in 
healthy life years in many EU countries.  

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diseases' mortality, ensuring quality healthcare, strengthening capacity to prevent and manage 
global health threats (including antimicrobial resistance), ending HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis 
(and reducing Hepatitis), and implementing the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.  

On SDG 4 "Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning 
opportunities  for  all",  the  EU  has  set  Europe  2020  headline  targets  on  the  number  of  early 
school  leavers  and  on  tertiary  educational  attainment.  Through  the  Skills  Agenda,  the 
Education  and  Training  2020  strategic  framework  for  peer  learning  and  exchange  and  the 
Erasmus+  programme  the  EU  directs  its  efforts  to  actively  support  Member  States  in 
improving the quality of education and training to guarantee opportunities for young people. 

In  relation  to  SDG  5  "Achieve  gender  equality  and  empower  all  women  and  girls",  gender 
equality is enshrined in the EU political and legal framework since the very start of European 
integration  and  new  policies  are  being  developed  to  address  persistent  gender  inequalities. 
Equally, SDG 10 "Reduce inequality within and among countries", is at the heart of the EU's 
social agenda and cohesion policy.  

Protecting  the  environment  is  key  for  the  quality  of  life  of  current  and  future  generations. 
Several SDGs have a strong environmental dimension, including SDG 6 "Ensure availability 
and  sustainable  management  of  water  and  sanitation  for  all",  SDG  14  "Conserve  and 
sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development" and SDG 
15  "Protect,  restore  and  promote  sustainable  use  of  terrestrial  ecosystems,  sustainably 
manage  forests,  combat  desertification,  and  halt  and  reverse  land  degradation  and  halt 
biodiversity loss". Europe's environmental improvements in recent decades have been driven 
by  EU  legislation  providing  a  high  level  of  protection  in  areas  such  as  water  quality  and 
nature conservation. The Birds and Habitats Directives protect ecosystems, and the expansion 
of  the  Natura  2000  network  of  protected  areas  to  18%  of  EU  land  has  been  an  important 
achievement. Further efforts are required to achieve the EU targets of halting biodiversity loss 
by 2020 and restoring at least 15% of degraded ecosystems. While Europe's fish stocks have 
historically  suffered  from  overfishing,  many  stocks  are  now  recovering  as  a  result  of  a 
strongly science-based Common Fisheries Policy. The recently adopted Joint Communication 
on  International  Ocean  Governance12  sets  out  actions  to  ensure  safe,  clean  and  sustainably 
managed oceans. 

Still faced with a range of natural capital challenges, the EU is increasingly complementing 
legislative approaches with  other policies designed to  "Ensure  sustainable consumption and 
production patterns" or SDG 12. Here, resource efficiency and circular economy actions aim 
to decouple economic growth from resource use and environmental degradation. Sustainable 
consumption will also require consumer policies that raise awareness and allow consumers to 
make informed choices contributing to sustainability. 

In the area of energy and climate, SDG 7 "Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable 
and modern energy for all" and SDG 13 "Take urgent action to combat climate change and 
its  impacts",  the  EU  has  set  ambitious  2030  targets  to  reduce  greenhouse  gas  emissions, 
improve energy efficiency and increase the share of renewable energy. In addition, there is a 
political  commitment  of  devoting  at  least  20%  of  the  EU  budget  to  climate  action.  The 
Commission  already proposed how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in  all sectors of the 

12 JOIN(2016) 49 final 

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economy13 and a package of initiatives to boost clean energy transition is forthcoming. This 
package will focus on delivering the energy efficiency and renewables objectives in view of 
realising the Energy Union and in particular the 2030 Climate and Energy policy framework. 
It will help boost jobs and growth and make a swift difference for the real economy.  

On  the  socio-economic  side,  the  Europe  2020  strategy  for  smart,  sustainable  and  inclusive 
growth  aims  at  75%  employment  for  ages  20-64  helping  to  address  SDG  8  "Promote 
sustained,  inclusive  and  sustainable  economic  growth,  full  and  productive  employment  and 
decent  work  for  all".  The  recovery  in  the  labour  market  strengthened  over  2015  and  2016, 
with  a  significant  improvement  in  most  indicators.  The  employment  rate  (20-64  years  old) 
increased  in  the  EU  by  0.9  percentage  points  in  2015  and  kept  rising  up  to  71.1%  in  the 
second quarter of 2016, exceeding the pre-crisis level of 70.3% (yearly) in 200814. However, 
although decreasing, labour market disparities across Member States remain large compared 
to the pre-crisis period and challenges as regards youth unemployment and unemployment of 
disabled persons remain in several Member States. 

infrastructure,  promote 

Under  SDG  9  "Build  resilient 
inclusive  and  sustainable 
industrialization  and  foster  innovation",  the  Investment  Plan  for  Europe  covers  strategic 
investments in key areas such as in infrastructure, research and innovation, as well as in risk 
finance  for  small  businesses.  Also  European  Structural  and  Investment  Funds15  cover 
investments in infrastructure and research and innovation. The Connecting Europe Facility is 
funding  resilient  networks  and  infrastructures  in  transport,  telecommunications  and  energy. 
Research  and  innovation,  underpinning  the  implementation  of  virtually  all  SDGs,  is  funded 
through the Framework  Programme  for Research and Innovation (Horizon 2020).  The 2016 
European Innovation Scoreboard still shows a considerable performance lead of the EU over 
many others and the challenge is to keep this position. 

As  regards  SDG  11  "Make  cities  and  human  settlements  inclusive,  safe,  resilient  and 
sustainable", EU cities, led by Stockholm, Vienna, London, Frankfurt and Hamburg, account 
for five of the top eight most sustainable cities16. The Urban Agenda for the European Union 
is  a  joint  effort  of  the  Commission,  Member  States  and  European  cities,  to  strengthen  the 
urban dimension of European and national policies. In line with the UN New Urban Agenda, 
the EU strengthens the resilience of urban settings through prevention of disaster and climate 
related risks. The EU Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy is a bottom-up local and 
regional action for tackling in an integrated manner climate change mitigation and adaptation, 
and access to secure, sustainable and affordable energy.  

For SDG 16 "Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide 
access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels" 
EU policies and legislation are in place with many of the underlying principles anchored into 
the Treaty on European Union and the EU Charter on Fundamental Rights and going beyond 
the ambition set out in SDG 16.  

13 COM (2016) 500 
14 Eurostat  
15 European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF): the three cohesion policy funds (i.e. the European Regional 
Development  Fund  (ERDF),  the  Cohesion  Fund  (CF)  and  the  European  Social  Fund  (ESF)),  the  European 
Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) 
16Arcadis, Sustainable Cities Index 2016 (2016)  

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Under SDG 17 "Strengthen Means of Implementation and revitalise the global partnership for 
sustainable  development",  the  Commission,  in  close  cooperation  with  Member  States,  will 
work to implement the agenda through putting in place enabling policies, mobilising adequate 
financial  means  of  implementation  from  all  sources  including  the  private  sector,  capacity 
building, science, technology and innovation, trade, ensuring policy coherence, and forming 
partnerships to strengthen delivery. The "Trade for all strategy"17 adopted right after the UN 
2030 Agenda, commits the EU to a responsible trade and investment policy as an instrument 
of SDG implementation  contributing to boosting jobs, sustainable growth and investment in 
Europe and outside. 

Moreover, several EU financing instruments complement European policies and actions and 
contribute  in  a  horizontal  way  to  the  SDGs.  For  example,  cohesion  policy  -  through  the 
European  Structural  and  Investment  Funds  -  is  the  EU’s  main  investment  policy,  aiming  to 
achieve economic, social and territorial cohesion by reducing disparities between the levels of 
development  of  the  various  regions.  It  contributes  to  the  Europe  2020  strategy  and  to  the 
diverse development needs in all EU regions with EUR 350 billion for the period 2014-2020. 
Also  the  EU  Framework  Programme  for  Research  and  Innovation,  Horizon  2020,  is  cross-
cutting  and  funds  projects  underpinning  many  SDGs.  In  various  ways  the  EU  ensures  that 
synergies between financing instruments and policies are ensured. 

2.2. The contribution of the Commission's 10 priorities to the 2030 Agenda 

The  political  agenda  of  the  current  Commission  is  focused  on  jobs,  growth,  fairness  and 
democratic change, following discussions with the European Parliament and inspired by the 
European Council's "Strategic Agenda for the Union in Times of Change". The ten priorities 
of the agenda touch upon key challenges for Europe. Many of the Sustainable Development 
Goals are deeply entwined with these challenges and the Commission's objectives under the 
ten priorities.  

The section below distils the most relevant synergies between the SDGs and the ten priorities. 
Fully  exploiting  these  synergies  between  the  SDGs  and  the  Commission's  highest  priorities 
ensures strong political ownership and avoids that implementation of the SDGs takes place in 
a political vacuum. 

Furthermore,  section  2.3  looks  into  the  most  relevant  commitments  under  the  EU's  external 
action, covering priority 6 on trade and priority 9 on a stronger global actor.  

Most  of  the  work  under  "Priority  1.  A  new  boost  for  jobs,  growth  and  investment"  is 
directly  delivering  on  various  SDGs  and  addressing  key  sustainability  challenges  Europe 
faces.  

Since  the  global  economic  and  financial  crisis,  the  EU  has  been  suffering  from  high 
unemployment,  an  investment  gap  and  a  lack  of  competitiveness.  Poverty  and  inequality 
remain a concern. The European social model will not be sustainable in the future if growth 
remains  at  its  current  level.  In  an  ageing  society,  with  a  current  ratio  of  2  active  people 

17 COM(2015) 497 final 

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supporting  one  inactive  person  on  average  across  the  EU18,  pension  liabilities  in  many 
Member States will increase significantly19 while youth unemployment figures remain high.  

This is why the number one priority since the start of this Commission has been to boost jobs, 
growth and investment. Europe's track record in successful socio-economic development over 
the past 60 years must be extended through sustainable job creation to provide opportunities 
for  future  generations  and  improve  social  outcomes  in  terms  of  poverty  and  inequality 
reduction. This will ensure Europe's long-term competitiveness in the global economy while 
preserving the European way of life.  

In  a  global  competitive  environment  where  the  EU  should  not  compete  on  low  wages, 
investment  in  quality  education  and  training  (SDG  4)  and  in  young  people  is  crucial  to 
ensure  sustainable  and  inclusive  growth.  Core  competence  lies  with  Member  States  but  to 
support them, all instruments available at EU level such as Erasmus+ and the cohesion policy 
must be mobilised fully. Europe's prosperity and way of life are based upon its greatest asset: 
its people. From 2010 to 2014, investment in education and training decreased by 2.5% in the 
EU  as  a  whole20.  Smart  investments  that  improve  the  quality  of  skills  and  strengthen  the 
performance of education and training systems are essential. The Commission will address the 
modernisation of education and the quality of apprenticeships and better tracking of graduates 
next year. The Youth Guarantee will be reinforced as a tool to invest in young people, in their 
skills and in their first steps in a career.  

The Investment Plan for Europe21 (e.g. SDG 8, 9, 12, 13) is intended to mobilise EUR 500 
bn  in  additional  investments  in  the  real  economy  through  the  European  Fund  for  Strategic 
Investments  (EFSI)  by  2020.  Investment  in  several  strategic  sectors  such  as  education, 
healthcare,  water,  energy,  transport  and  other  infrastructure,  industries  and  agriculture,  and 
promotion  of  future-oriented  initiatives,  such  as  renewable  energy,  circular  economy  and 
climate mitigation and adaptation, have been an important part of the success of the first stage 
of EFSI. For the second stage, EFSI 2.022, the Commission has proposed a quantitative goal 
(40%)  on  targeted  climate  change  projects.  Outreach  activities  at  the  highest  level  will 
promote  forward  looking  proposals  not  just  for  the  climate  target  but  to  ensure  uptake  of 
broader  sustainable  growth  projects.  In  addition,  the  new  proposal  will  make  it  easier  to 
combine with other major funding sources such as European Structural and Investment Funds 
to support sustainable growth in several sectors across the EU. 

The circular economy (SDG 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) offers a transformative agenda with 
significant  new  jobs  and  growth  potential  and  stimulating  sustainable  consumption  and 
production patterns. Focus on resource efficiency and minimising waste in a context of rapid 
global  resource  depletion  gives  the  EU  a  competitive  edge  and  stimulates  innovation.  It 
creates  local  jobs,  at  all  skills  levels  and  with  opportunities  for  social  integration.  The 
transition  to  the  circular  economy  offers  a  chance  for  Europe  to  modernise  its  economy, 
making it more future proof, green and competitive. The circular economy also contributes to 
lower  carbon  dioxide  emission  levels  and  energy  savings  as  well  as  decreased  air,  soil  and 

18 Eurostat 
19 The 2015 Ageing Report: Economic and budgetary projections for the 28 EU Member States (2013-2060) 
20 Education and Training Monitor 2016 
21 COM (2014) 903 final 
22 COM (2016) 581 final 

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water pollution. Implementation of the 2015 circular economy action plan remains high on the 
agenda of the Commission as confirmed in the 2017 Work Programme.  

The monitoring framework for the circular economy in Europe will be ready in 2017. To scale 
up  investment  in  the  circular  economy,  a  platform  to  support  the  financing  of  the  circular 
economy will be established. Another new initiative in 2017 will be a comprehensive strategy 
on plastics to improve the  economics, quality and uptake of plastic  recycling and  reuse and 
reducing  (micro-)plastic  leakage  into  the  environment.  It  will  help  European  industry  to 
develop  the  plastics  of  the  future,  less  dependent  on  fossil  fuels  and  offering  solutions  for 
reducing  global  marine  pollution  (SDG  14).  To  promote  safe  reuse  of  treated  wastewater, 
minimum  requirements  for  reused  water  (SDG  6)  will  be  set.  Action  on  sustainable  food 
systems and preventing food waste (SDG 12) will be taken through the EU Platform on Food 
Losses and Food Waste, to support the UN target of halving per capita global food waste by 
2030. Targeted action is planned to facilitate food donation and the safe use of food not suited 
for human consumption for production of animal feed as well as more effective date marking 
on food. 

The  implementation  of  the  EU's  environmental  acquis  (SDGs  6,  14,  15)  remains  vital  for 
long-term sustainability and is inseparable from the broader economic and societal challenges. 
As highlighted in the 7th Environment Action Programme, maintenance and improvement of 
our natural resource base is also essential for our economic sectors to deliver their services, 
e.g. agriculture, fisheries or energy. The Commission will strengthen the tracking of progress 
of  environmental  objectives  through  the  Environmental  Implementation  Review  and  will 
launch initiatives to simplify environmental reporting, facilitate access to justice, and support 
environmental compliance in Member States (SDG 17). 

Agriculture  (SDG  2)  plays  a  substantial  role  in  the  2030  Agenda  and  in  any  sustainable 
future as it is intrinsically linked to issues such as jobs, food, air, climate change, water, soil 
and  biodiversity  (SDGs  8,  12,  6,  13  and  15).  The  Commission  will  therefore  take  forward 
work  and  consult  widely  on  simplification  and  modernization  of  the  Common  Agricultural 
Policy to maximize its contribution to the Commission's ten priorities and to the Sustainable 
Development Goals.  

With  its  work  on  "Priority  3.  A  resilient  Energy  Union  with  a  forward-looking  climate 
change  policy",  the  EU  has  adopted  a  clear  2030  framework  and  is  actively  working 
towards the two relevant SDGs. 

The EU is the largest energy importer in the world23, vulnerable to supply shocks. Hence the 
importance  of  energy  security,  market  integration,  energy  efficiency  and  using  indigenous 
energy  resources,  in  particular  renewables,  to  reduce  our  dependence  on  external  suppliers 
while  decarbonising  the  economy  and  stimulating  new  business  sectors.  Europe  needs  the 
right choices now as shifting to a low-carbon economy will be made harder by the economic, 
social  and  environmental  costs  of  having  fragmented  energy  markets.  The  objective  of  the 
Energy  Union  is  to  ensure  affordable,  secure  and  sustainable  energy  for  businesses  and 
households  (SDG  7).  The  Energy  Union  promotes  energy  cooperation  and  integration  to 
achieve those objectives. Renewables and energy efficiency, in particular, are at the heart of 

23 Eurostat and the International Energy Agency 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
this EU strategy as those play an increasingly important role in tackling climate change while 
enhancing energy security and strengthening EU industrial and technological leadership.  

The  2015  Paris  Agreement  is  a  historically  significant  landmark  in  the  global  fight  against 
climate change (SDG 13); a success for the world and a confirmation of the EU's path to a 
low-carbon  and  climate  resilient  economy.  The  EU  has  set  an  ambitious  economy-wide 
domestic  target  of  a  reduction  of  greenhouse  gas  emissions  of  at  least  40%  for  2030.  The 
target  is  based  on  global  projections  that  are  in  line  with  the  medium  term  ambition  of  the 
Paris  Agreement.  The  EU  will  continue  to  lead  by  example  and  by  action  on  regulatory 
policies  to  reduce  emissions,  strengthen  climate  change  adaptation  and  disaster  risk 
management,  but  also  on  enabling  factors  that  accelerate  public  and  private  investment  in 
innovation  and  modernisation  in  all  key  sectors.  The  low-emission  mobility  strategy 
contributes  to  achieving  a  competitive  and  resource  efficient  transport  system.  On  aviation 
and shipping, the EU played a leading role in the global agreements reached this year to tackle 
emissions.  Proposals  to  accelerate  the  low-carbon  transition,  covering  all  sectors  of  the 
economy in the EU are being negotiated24.  

Under  "Priority  4.  A  deeper  and  fairer  internal  market  with  a  strengthened  Industrial 
base",  in  particular  the  Capital  Markets  Union,  a  new  and  forward  looking  approach  to 
ensure sustainable finance is taken forward, linked to several SDGs. 

Sustainable  finance  (SDG  8,  9,  13,  14  and  15)  is  high  on  the  agenda  of  the  G20  and  in 
Europe,  finance  ministers,  regulators  and  industry  are  all  actively  looking  at  what  can  be 
done. In light of the SDGs, the Paris Agreement and the transition to a low-carbon, climate 
resilient,  more  circular  and  resource-efficient  economy,  the  EU  wants  the  current  financial 
system to be better aligned with its policies in support of sustainable growth and investments. 
In this context, the Capital Markets Union sets out concrete initiatives for example on green 
bonds, promotion of long-term investments or the prudential aspects linked to the regulation 
of  banks.  Moreover,  a  system  is  in  place  to  ensure  increased  transparency  for  investors  on 
disclosure  of  non-financial  and  diversity  information,  including  on  environmental  matters, 
social  and  employee  aspects,  respect  for  human  rights,  anti-corruption,  bribery  and  other 
matters. Defining a coherent EU strategy on sustainable finance will help to identify, prioritise 
and sequence the ways in which EU financial policy reform can enable and galvanise the flow 
of (public and private) capital towards sustainable investments.  

As a first step, the Commission will establish a high-level expert group to provide advice on 
developing  an  overarching  and  comprehensive  EU  strategy  on  sustainable  finance,  having 
particular  regard  to  the  challenges  posed  by  climate  and  environmental  risk  to  the  financial 
system  and  the  need  to  harness  financial  markets  in  responding  to  these  challenges.  The 
expert  group  will  also  reflect  on  how  pertinent  recommendations  can  be  extended  to  other 
dimensions of sustainability. This should allow the EU to maintain international leadership in 
the development of sustainable markets. The Commission will follow up on this work in the 
Capital Markets Union mid-term review in 2017.  

Under "Priority 5. A deeper and fairer Economic and Monetary Union", in particular the 
European  Pillar  of  Social  Rights  and  action  on  Corporate  Social  Responsibility  help  to 
address the challenges of work in the 21st century as required by the SDGs. 

24 COM (2015) 337, COM (2016)482 and COM(2016)479 

10 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
In a context of rapid economic, labour market, social, demographic and technological change, 
the issue of inclusive and sustainable growth, employment and decent work (SDG 8) is more 
topical  than  ever  for  Europe.  In  the  aftermath  of  the  crisis,  the  European  Pillar  of  Social 
Rights aims at putting social fairness at the heart of EU policies. A set of key principles for 
the  conduct  of  employment  and  social  policies  will  help  to  take  into  account  better  new 
economic,  social  and  demographic  trends.  Health  is  one  of  the  elements  playing  a  role  in 
boosting human capital in terms of productivity and labour participation. As a way to enhance 
upward social and labour market convergence, particularly within the euro area, the Pillar will 
help deliver on SDGs 1, 3 and 10.  

Additionally,  EU  action  on  Corporate  Social  Responsibility  and  Responsible  Business 
Conduct  encourages  the  private  sector  to  contribute  to  the  achievement  of  social  and 
environmental  objectives,  thereby  fostering  equitable  and  sustainable  growth  and  the 
protection of social rights (SDG 8). Throughout global supply chains EU policies contribute 
to  more  sustainable  practices  in  forest  management,  better  working  and  environmental 
conditions  in  textiles  and  ship  recycling,  combatting  illegal  fishing  and  trade  in  conflict 
minerals  and  endangered  species.  The  Commission  will  intensify  its  work  on  Responsible 
Business  Conduct,  focusing  on  concrete  actions  to  meet  current  and  future  social, 
environmental  and  governance  challenges,  building  upon  the  main  principles  and  policy 
approach identified in the Commission's 2011 EU Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy. 

"Priority  7.  An  area  of  justice  and  fundamental  rights  based  on  mutual  trust"  includes 
continued policy efforts related to the SDGs on justice and gender equality. 

Effective  justice  systems  play  a  crucial  role  for  upholding  the  rule  of  law  and  the  Union's 
fundamental  values  (SDG  16).  They  are  also  a  prerequisite  for  an  investment  and  business 
friendly environment. The EU is encouraging Member States to improve the effectiveness of 
their national justice systems in the context of the European Semester, the EU's annual cycle 
of economic policy coordination. 

Gender equality (SDG 5) is one of the fundamental values of the European Union and goes 
back  to  1957  and  the  principle  of  equal  pay  for  equal  work  in  the  Treaty  of  Rome.  Today, 
active policies remain a necessity to better utilise female talent and improve the participation 
of women in the labour market, their economic independence, pay and pensions, equality in 
leadership positions, fighting gender-based violence, and more gender equality in our external 
action. Progress has been achieved in recent years, for example, by the highest employment 
rate ever recorded for women (65.3% in the second quarter of 2016) up from 62.8% in 200825, 
although a gender gap in employment still remains. From 2003 to 2016 the share of women 
on  boards  of  the  largest  publicly  listed  companies  in  the  EU  rose  from  8.5%  to  23%26. 
Challenges on the pay and pension gap remain large: the gender gaps in pay and in pensions 
show no sign of narrowing. Even if women are reaping the benefits of education, in 2014 they 
were  still  paid  16.7%  less  than  men  per  hour  of  work  and  their  pension  is  40%  lower  than 
men’s  pension  on  average27.  Through  its  "Strategic  Engagement  for  Gender  Equality  2016-

25 Eurostat 
26http://ec.europa.eu/justice/gender-equality/gender-decision-making/database/business-finance/supervisory-
board-board-directors/index_en.htm 
27 Eurostat 

11 

 
 
 
                                                            
2019" the Commission is committed to work further towards gender equality in priority areas 
and  it  will  in  2017  present  an  initiative  to  promote  a  better  work-life  balance  for  men  and 
women.  

In  the  context  of  the  refugee  crisis,  work  on  "Priority  8.  Towards  a  new  policy  on 
migration" supports progress related to several SDGs.  

The world is facing the highest number of refugee flows since the end of the Second World 
War, with more than 65 million people forcibly displaced worldwide28. In this context, a new 
comprehensive migration policy is needed, promoting regular channels and tackling irregular 
migration  flows,  thereby  saving  lives,  preserving  human  dignity  and  helping  to  support 
growth  and  reduce  inequality  (e.g.  SDG  1  and  10).  Migration  management  is  a  shared 
responsibility,  not  only  among  EU  Member  States,  but  also  vis-à-vis  non-EU  countries  of 
transit and origin. The European Agenda on Migration29 and its follow-up actions, including 
the  new  Partnership  Framework  with  Third  Countries30,  provide  such  a  comprehensive 
approach  grounded  in  the  respect  of  fundamental  rights,  trust,  solidarity  and  mutual 
accountability.  

2.3. The European Union as a committed global partner to promote the 2030 Agenda 

The vision of the 2030 Agenda is fully consistent with the objectives of EU external action, 
including  the  pursuit  of  sustainable  development31.  The  Global  Strategy  on  Foreign  and 
Security Policy for the European Union32 sets out the strategic direction for the EU's external 
action  and  identifies  clear  links  to  the  2030  Agenda.  It  emphasises  the  importance  of  a 
comprehensive  approach  in  the  EU's  external  actions  and  the  need  for  an  integrated  EU 
approach  to  increase  the  EU’s  impact  in  responding  to  and  preventing  violent  conflicts  and 
crises as well as of improving coherence between the EU and its Member States. The SDGs 
will be a cross-cutting dimension of all the work to take forward the Global Strategy33. The 
Global  Strategy  underlines  that  there  is  a  direct  link  between  our  security  and  prosperity  in 
our  surrounding  regions,  including  the  EU  Enlargement  and  neighbourhood  countries. 
Echoing  the  SDGs,  promoting  resilience  of  states  and  societies  at  all  levels  is  a  way  to 
promote  stability  and  sustainable  development  globally,  while  reinforcing  Europe’s  own 
security and prosperity.  

The  EU  Enlargement  Policy  will  continue  to  focus  efforts  on  the  rule  of  law,  including 
security, fundamental rights, democratic institutions and public administration reform, as well 
as  on  economic  development  and  competitiveness.  These  fundamentals  for  meeting  the 
Copenhagen and Madrid membership criteria are fully consistent with the fundamentals of the 
2030 Agenda.  

28 The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), "Global trends: forced displacement in 2015" (2015)  
29 COM (2015) 240 
30 COM(2016) 385 
31 See Article 21 (2) d) of the Treaty on European Union 
32 A Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy “Shared Vision, Common Action: A 
Stronger Europe”, June 2016 
33 Council conclusions on the follow-up to the EU global strategy on foreign and security policy (paragraph 5), 
17 October 2016 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
The revised European Neighbourhood Policy (2015) introduced differentiated partnerships 
with the neighbourhood countries, with the key goal of stabilisation. It provides the EU with 
the  necessary  tools  to  reach  out  to  partner  countries  on security,  building  resilience,  good 
governance,  democracy  and  human  rights,  economic  development,  connectivity,  energy, 
migration and mobility and, as such, supports sustainable development. 

EU action has a particular place in supporting prevention, management and resolution of 
crises around the world, with its Common Security and Defence Policy missions, a significant 
financial contribution to the African Peace Facility and the recent proposal to support capacity 
building  for  security  and  development  within  the  new  security  sector  reform  strategic 
framework34. The EU will promote a broader concept of security, encompassing inclusive and 
accountable institutions at all levels. 

The  EU  champions  a  rights-based  approach 
to  development  cooperation,  whose 
implementation is critical in delivering on the SDGs. This approach encompasses all human 
rights  and  promotes  inclusion  and  participation,  non-discrimination,  equality  and  equity, 
transparency  and  accountability.  Gender  equality  is  at  the  core  of  the  EU's  values  and 
enshrined in its legal and political framework. The EU will promote women's rights, gender 
equality  and  the  empowerment  of  women  and  girls  as  a  priority  across all  areas  of  external 
action. 

The EU's development policy plays a central role in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. 
As  the  world's  biggest  development  actor,  the EU  and  its  Member  States  have  a  significant 
impact  on  achieving  the  SDGs  worldwide.  This  is  why  the  Commission  presents,  together 
with  this  Communication,  a  proposal  for  a  new  European  Consensus  on  Development35, 
which reflects the holistic approach of the 2030 Agenda. The proposal for a new Consensus 
seeks to achieve the primary objective of poverty eradication by systematically integrating the 
social,  economic  and  environmental  dimensions  and  strengthening  the  nexuses  between 
development and security, humanitarian and migration issues.  

The  proposal  for  a  new  European  Consensus  also  represents  a  paradigm  shift  in  terms  of 
means of implementation. It moves beyond a traditional focus on international development 
assistance  to  mobilise  the  much  larger  funds  required  to  finance  the  SDGs,  combining  aid 
with domestic resources and leveraging private investments. It also stresses the role of good 
domestic  and  international  policies,  including  policy  coherence.  The  recently  proposed 
European  External  Investment  Plan36,  building  on  the  successful  experience  of  the 
Investment  Plan  for  Europe,  is  a  good  illustration  of  this  new  approach  to  means  of 
implementation. 

In the proposal for a new European Consensus on Development, the Commission proposes a 
new  way  of  working  with  partner  countries  and  together  with  Member  States  –  from  joint 
programming  to  joint  actions  –  to  ensure  greater  coherence,  complementarity  and 
effectiveness.  There  is  also  a  clear  need  to  foster  more  differentiated  partnerships  in 
accordance with our partners' development paths and needs – keeping the focus on the poorest 
and  most  vulnerable,  while  also  recognising  the  importance  of  more  advanced  developing 
countries for the achievement of the SDGs. The Communication on the future relations with 
the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States concerning a post-Cotonou framework37, 

34 JOIN (2016) 31 final 
35 COM(2016) 740 
36 COM (2016) 581 final 
37 JOIN(2016) 52  

13 

 
 
                                                            
also adopted together with this Communication, is a key example of this tailored partnerships 
approach. 

The  EU's  humanitarian  assistance  plays  an  important  role  in  the  provision  of  lifesaving 
assistance  and  contributes  to  reducing  vulnerability  and  protecting  human  dignity. 
Concentration  of  extreme  and  chronic  poverty  in  fragile  states  is  often  compounded  by 
recurring  cycles  of  natural  disasters  and  devastating  conflicts,  resulting  in  ever  more  severe 
humanitarian situations, which put development gains under increasing threat and negatively 
affect  the  stability  of  entire  regions  and  societies.  The  EU  is  at  the  forefront  of  resilience 
building  of  the  most  vulnerable  communities.  It  sets  the  ways  forward  for  a  more  effective 
collaborative  action,  bringing 
long-term  development 
cooperation and on-going political engagement, thereby contributing to poverty eradication. 

together  humanitarian  action, 

EU  Trade  policy  as  set  out  in  the  Trade  for  All  Communication  is  fully  supportive  of 
sustainable  development  worldwide,  notably  through  its  focus  on  the  trade-development 
nexus.  Trade  agreements  such  as  the  Economic  Partnership  Agreements  and  trade  regimes 
such  as  Everything  But  Arms  (EBA)  and  the  Enhanced  Generalised  System  of  Preference 
(GSP+) provide strong support to sustainable development by linking trade with development 
and good governance. 

The EU's impact outside its borders is not limited to its external action agenda. Many of the 
EU's policies with a domestic dimension contribute to the implementation of the Sustainable 
Development  Goals  worldwide.  Therefore,  achieving  coherence  across  all  EU  policies  is 
crucial for achieving the SDGs. Policy coherence for development is an essential element of 
the  EU's  response  to  the  sustainable  development  challenge  enshrined  in  the  European 
Treaties. Concrete projects such as energy interconnections in Africa and with Europe across 
the  Mediterranean  region,  as  well  as  ongoing  EU  action  towards  sustainable  global  supply 
chains,  such  as  in  the  timber  and  garment  sectors,  show  the  added  value  of  pursuing  a 
coherent approach. 

3. HOW THE EU WILL TAKE FORWARD THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2030 AGENDA 

3.1. Governance 

Sustainable  development  requires  a  holistic  and  cross-sector  policy  approach  to  ensure  that 
economic,  social  and  environmental  challenges  are  addressed  together.  Hence,  ultimately 
sustainable development is an issue of governance and requires the right instruments to ensure 
policy  coherence,  across  thematic  areas  as  well  as  between  the  EU's  external  action  and  its 
other policies.  

The new structure of this Commission with Vice-Presidents and its project-based approach 
is an important instrument that facilitates this way of working. Project teams bringing together 
different  sectoral  policy  angles  aim  to  ensure  that  efforts  in  one  policy  area  reinforce 
initiatives  in  other  fields,  creating  a  more  concerted  and  mutually-reinforcing  agenda. 
Moreover,  the  new  function  of  First  Vice-President  includes  a  horizontal  responsibility  for 
sustainable  development.  To  ensure  policy  coherence,  the  First  Vice-President  will  play  a 
coordinating role in taking forward the Commission's work in actively implementing the 2030 
Agenda. 

14 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
The  use  of  the  Commission's  better  regulation  tools  is  another  way  to  ensure  further 
mainstreaming  of  sustainable  development  in  European  policies.  All  Commission  impact 
assessments must evaluate environmental, social and economic impacts so that sustainability 
is duly considered and factored in. Ex post evaluations must also analyse all three dimensions 
in  a  strong  integrated  approach.  Strengthened  impact  assessment  guidelines  and  enhanced 
procedures  confirming  this  mainstreaming  approach  were  a  key  component  of  the  better 
regulation package adopted in 2015. Stakeholder involvement and public consultations form 
another component of the better regulation toolbox to meet the inclusiveness requirement that 
is at the heart of the 2030 Agenda. 

The European Semester, as the EU's economic governance framework has a strong focus on 
employment  and  social  performance  thereby  promoting  a  more  sustainable  socio-economic 
model in the European Union.  

3.2. Financing 

largely 

The  EU  budget,  representing  around  1%  of  EU  Gross  National  Income  (GNI),  is  an 
investment  budget  that  complements  national  budgets  and  the  wide  set  of  EU  policy  and 
regulatory  instruments  to  tackle  challenges  both  at  European  and  at  international  level.  The 
incorporated  economic,  social  and  environmental 
Commission  has  already 
dimensions,  which  are  at  the  heart  of  the  SDGs,  into  the  EU  budget  and  spending 
programmes.  The  performance  framework  of  EU  spending  programmes  for  2014-2020 
already contains relevant elements to report on the three dimensions.  
The EU budget focused on results (BFOR) initiative38 also aims to ensure that every euro 
of European tax payers' money spent contributes as much as possible to improving our future. 
The  shift  from  measuring  spending  towards  measuring  results  -  from  ensuring  mostly 
compliance with the rules, towards aiming as well for maximum performance  - ensures that 
resources are allocated in a sufficiently flexible manner to address urgent needs and focus on 
priorities.  

The Investment Plan for Europe references specifically the SDGs and promotes coherence 
with  the  EU  budget.  Different  policies  such  as  the  European  Structural  and  Investments 
funds  and  instruments  like  the  Connecting  Europe  Facility  work  alongside  European 
Investment  Bank  financing  to  promote  sustainability  objectives,  such  as  energy  efficiency 
and clean transport, through the use of innovative financing instruments that help to achieve 
the necessary scale of investment required. There is also a political commitment of devoting 
at  least  20%  of  the  EU  budget  to  climate  action.  Moreover,  Horizon  2020  is  expected  to 
contribute at least 60% of its budget to sustainable development and 35% to climate action. 
As  part  of  the  Global  Partnership  to  implement  the  SDGs  (SDG17),  the  EU  is  collectively 
committed to  provide  0.7%  of GNI  as  Official  Development Assistance (ODA) within the 
timeframe  of  the  2030  Agenda.  It  will  also  collectively  provide  0.15%  of  GNI  as  ODA  to 
Least Developed Countries in the short term, and reach 0.20% in the timeframe of the 2030 
Agenda. 

Looking  ahead  at  the Multiannual  Financial  Framework  beyond  2020,  the  Commission  will 
explore  how  EU  budgets  and  future  financial  programmes  can  best  continue  to  adequately 
contribute to the delivery of the 2030 Agenda and support Member States in their efforts. 

38 http://ec.europa.eu/budget/budget4results/initiative/index_en.cfm. 

15 

 
 
 
 
                                                            
3.3. Measuring progress at national, UN regional, EU and global level 

Keeping track of progress in a systematic and transparent way is essential. The 2030 Agenda 
provides  for  follow  up  and  review  at  national,  regional  and  global  level.  The  EU,  in 
coordination with its Member States, is committed to playing an active role at each level to 
maximize progress towards the SDGs, to ensure accountability to citizens, and to ensure that 
no one is left behind.  

The  Agenda  includes  17  goals  and  169  underlying  targets  for  which  the  UN  Statistical 
Commission  in  March  2016  agreed  an  indicator  framework  comprising  230  indicators  as  a 
practical starting  point for global monitoring.  The 2030  Agenda also foresees monitoring at 
the level of UN regions. As for monitoring in the United Nations Economic Commission for 
Europe (UNECE) region, a roadmap to guide the work of the UNECE countries on statistics 
for  the  Sustainable  Development  Goals  is  being  prepared. At  national level, Member  States 
are asked by the United Nations to put in place systems for measuring progress and reporting.  

The Commission will contribute by monitoring, reporting and reviewing progress towards the 
Sustainable  Development  Goals  in  an  EU  context.  This  includes  regularly  reporting  on  the 
EU's  contribution  to  the  implementation  of  the  2030  Agenda  in  the  context  of  the  United 
Nations High Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development. 

A first overview of where the EU and its Member States stand in view of the SDGs can be 
found  in  the  Eurostat  publication  issued  in  parallel  with  this  Communication39.  From  2017 
onwards, the Commission will carry out more detailed regular monitoring of the Sustainable 
Development  Goals  in  an  EU  context,  developing  a  reference  indicator  framework  for  this 
purpose  and  drawing  on  the  wide  range  of  ongoing  monitoring  and  assessment  across  the 
Commission, Agencies, European External Action Service and Member States.  

3.4. Shared responsibility for implementation and rewarding excellence 

The  SDGs  are  a  collaborative  agenda  between  all  levels  of  public  governments  and  civil 
society,  signed  up  by  all  UN  member  states.  Implementation  needs  to  be  taken  forward  in 
partnership with all.  

This Communication provides a framework for the EU and its Member States to implement 
the  2030  Agenda.  In  line  with  the  principle  of  subsidiarity,  the  EU  will  only  act  in  areas 
outside its exclusive competences when the objectives can be better achieved at Union level 
than  by  action  of  Member  States.  Close  cooperation  with  Member  States  is  therefore 
necessary  and  many  issues  affecting  sustainable  development  will  need  to  be  addressed  by 
Member States themselves, who are currently in the process of establishing their own national 
frameworks for the achievement of the SDGs and for reporting to their own citizens and to the 
UN.  

Cities and local authorities have a particular role in the 2030 Agenda implementation with a 
specific dedicated goal (SDG 11) as well as the other urban related targets through the 2030 

39 Eurostat, "Sustainable Development in the European Union - A statistical glance from the viewpoint of the 
UN Sustainable Development Goals (2016)   

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
Agenda.  Cities  are  at  the  heart  of  today's  economic,  environmental  and  social  challenges. 
More  than  70%  of  EU  citizens  live  in  urban  areas  while  about  85%  of  the  EU’s  GDP  is 
generated in cities40. These urban areas are the engines of the European economy and act as 
catalysts  for  innovative  sustainable  solutions  promoting  the  transition  to  a  low-carbon  and 
resilient  society.  However,  they  are  also  places  where  problems,  such  as  unemployment, 
segregation, poverty and pollution are at their most severe.  

The Urban Agenda for the EU adopted in 2016 will therefore be taken forward in a holistic 
way  together  with  local  authorities  covering  all  aspects  of  sustainable  development,  also 
contributing  to  the  implementation  of  the  global  "New  Urban  Agenda"41.  The  Commission 
will  have  a  central  role  in  the  implementation  of  the  Urban  Agenda  for  the  EU  keeping  in 
mind the diversity of cities and their responsibilities and interactions with the wider territory, 
providing expertise, implementing actions and facilitating the multilevel governance process. 

Sustainable development will not be brought about by public sector policies alone. It is a joint 
agenda  of  citizens,  civil  society,  organisations  and  businesses.  More  and  more  companies 
embrace the SDGs and put into practice corporate social responsibility, in their own interest, 
as  well  as  in  the  interest  of  the  European  economy  and  society.  European  companies  can 
provide innovative solutions for tomorrow's challenges, and be the drivers for change within 
the EU and beyond our borders. Society at large needs to ingrain sustainability as a guiding 
principle in the many choices that each citizen, company and civil society actor makes every 
day.  

To  create  a  dynamic  space  bringing  together  the  different  stakeholders  of  the  public  and 
private  sphere,  the  Commission  will  launch  a  multi-stakeholder  Platform  with  a  role  in  the 
follow-up and exchange of best practices on SDG implementation across sectors, at Member 
State  and  EU  level.  This  Platform  could  act  as  a  peer-learning  hub  where  stakeholders  can 
engage in debates about sustainability activities and inform others about ongoing successful 
initiatives. Each year a European Sustainability Prize will be awarded to recognize initiatives 
with a transformative contribution to the global 2030 Agenda implementation. 

4. CONCLUSION 

The  EU,  as  a  project  based  on  fundamental  values  and  fairness,  embraces  the  UN  2030 
Agenda for Sustainable Development as a unique opportunity for a better future. The global 
vision behind the SDGs to take action for people, the planet and prosperity is fully in line with 
our  European  agenda:  sustainability  is  a  European  brand.  Aware  of  the  limits  of  the  planet, 
scarcity  of  resources,  rising  inequalities  and  the  importance  of  sustainable  growth  for 
preserving our social welfare systems, we want to put the European and global economy on a 
new path to give better lives to people, ensuring a fair share for all and notably the younger 
generation.  

To preserve the future, the right policy choices have to be made today. The mapping exercise 
of our policies and acquis has clearly indicated that all seventeen SDGs are addressed through 
European  action.  Moreover,  many  of  the  SDGs  are  at  the  heart  of  the  highest  political 

40 Eurostat 
41 Adopted in October 2016 at Quito during the UN Habitat III conference, A/CONF.226/4  

17 

 
 
 
                                                            
priorities  of  the  Juncker  Commission.  The  Sustainable  Development  Goals  can  only  be 
attained successfully at EU level and by its Member States if new policies take into account 
sustainability and policy coherence  from the start and if implementation of existing policies 
on the ground is pursued in partnership with all stakeholders and on all levels.  

The Commission is fully committed to the delivery of the 2030 Agenda through the following 
key actions and governance elements:  

  The  Commission  will  mainstream  the  Sustainable  Development  Goals  into  EU 
policies and initiatives, with sustainable development as an essential guiding principle 
for all its policies. Existing and new policies should take into account the three pillars 
of  sustainable  development,  i.e.  social,  environmental  and  economic  concerns.  The 
Commission  will  to  this  effect  ensure  that  its  policies  are  sustainability-assured 
through its better regulation tools. 

  The  Commission  will  provide  as  of  2017  regular  reporting  of  the  EU's  progress 

towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. 

 

In order to promote sustainable development around the world, the EU will continue 
working with external partners, using all the tools that are available under its external 
policies and support in particular the efforts in developing countries.  

  The  Commission  is  committed  to  take  implementation  of  the  2030  Agenda  forward 
with  the  Council  and  the  European  Parliament  as  the  co-legislators  and  budgetary 
authority of the EU, and with other European institutions, international organisations, 
civil society organisations, citizens and other stakeholders.  

  The Commission will launch a multi-stakeholder Platform with a role in the follow-up 
and  exchange  of  best  practices  on  SDG  implementation  across  sectors,  at  Member 
State and EU level.  

  The  Commission  will  launch  reflection  work  on  developing  further  a  longer  term 

vision in a post 2020 perspective. 

In  line  with  the  commitments  in  the  framework  of  the  United  Nations,  Member  States  are 
invited to maintain ownership and to work on national frameworks for the achievement of the 
SDGs, implementing related European policies timely and reviewing progress made. 

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Table: The 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals42 

The 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals 

Goal 1.   
Goal 2.  

Goal 3.   
Goal 4.   

Goal 5.   
Goal 6.   
Goal 7.   
Goal 8.   

Goal 9.   

Goal 10.  
Goal 11.  

Goal 12.  
Goal 13.  
Goal 14.  

Goal 15.  

Goal 16.  

Goal 17.  

End poverty in all its forms everywhere 
End  hunger,  achieve  food  security  and  improved  nutrition  and  promote  sustainable 
agriculture 
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages 
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning  
opportunities for all 
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all 
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and    
productive employment and decent work for all 
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable    
industrialization and foster innovation  
Reduce inequality within and among countries 
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and 
sustainable 
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts* 
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for    
sustainable development 
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems,  
sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land  
degradation and halt biodiversity loss 
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide  
access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive  
institutions at all levels 
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership  
for Sustainable Development 

* Acknowledging that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is the primary 
international, intergovernmental forum for negotiating the global response to climate change. 

42 UN Resolution A/RES/70/1 

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