Implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Swiss Cantons. Results of an expert survey in cantonal offices
- 1. Sustainability Research Group, Department of Social Sciences, University of Basel
- 2. International Political Economy and Energy Policy, Department of Economics, University of Basel
Description
The UN 2030 Agenda with its 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a key framework that provides orientation for sustainability policy at the global as well as at the national level in Switzerland. Due to their competencies in many policy areas relevant to the SDGs, the cantons play a central role in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs in Switzerland.
So far, little is known about whether and how the cantons are implementing the 2030 Agenda as well as the SDGs and how they are coping with the associated challenges and opportunities. Therefore, the University of Basel has conducted a survey on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs in cantonal administrations as part of a research project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. The survey aims to gain a comprehensive overview of how cantonal administrations perceive and value the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs (or corresponding sustainability topics). The survey also probed through what activities cantons have implemented the SDGs and how they might strengthen the implementation. The online survey took place between summer and fall 2021, and all heads of office of the Swiss cantons received the invitation. Out of 1003 administrative offices contacted, 397 completed the survey (response rate: 40%).
The survey results document a high level of awareness and perceived relevance of sustainability and the SDGs. Half of the heads of office are aware of the SDGs, and almost all offices (94%) state that sustainability issues or SDGs are relevant. In particular, SDGs 5 (Gender equality), 11 (Sustainable cities and communities), 12 (Responsible consumption and production), 13 (Climate action), and 17 (Partnerships for the goals) appear to be relevant to the work of many offices. The anchoring of sustainability in overarching policy strategies and the personal motivation of office heads are both important reasons why the SDGs feature prominently in the work of the offices.
The importance given to the SDGs and corresponding sustainability topics – compared to other topics covered by the respective offices – is assessed as moderate. More than two-thirds (68%) of respondents consider the current level of attention appropriate. However, there is a unanimous view that the importance of the SDGs will not decline but rather increase in the future.
In particular, more activities are taking place in relation to SDGs 4 (Education), 5 (Gender equality), 11 (Sustainable cities and communities), 12 (Sustainable consumption and production), 13 (Climate action), 16 (Peace, justice and strong institutions), and 17 (Partnerships to achieve the goals). They mainly influence existing policy measures but hardly trigger any new ones. In the view of many heads of office, the implementation of the SDGs is characterized by cooperation primarily within and between departments. External stakeholders, however, are hardly involved. A majority of the heads of departments who work with the SDGs report that working with the SDGs raises awareness of sustainability and promotes strategic planning. It also strengthens collaboration within a department.
According to the heads of office, strengthening the implementation of the SDGs at the cantonal level will require both additional financial and human resources. A lack of human resources, in particular, appears to be an essential obstacle to implementation. Furthermore, almost half of the heads of office would like the federal government to play a central role in implementing the 2030 Agenda.
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Research Report_def_ENG.pdf
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Additional details
Funding
- Swiss National Science Foundation
- The Sustainabilization of the State. Forms, Functions and Formation of Sustainability Governance in Swiss Cantons 100017_178810