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Introduction
This module will cover the responsibility of various actors, including you! We will discuss the responsibility that different actors have in the implementation of social and legislative changes that will achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. We will look at the role of governments, civil society, business, and individuals, and focus on the strengths that each have to contribute to a sustainable future post-2030.
This module will cover the responsibility of various actors, including you! We will discuss the responsibility that different actors have in the implementation of social and legislative changes that will achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. We will look at the role of governments, civil society, business, and individuals, and focus on the strengths that each have to contribute to a sustainable future post-2030.
Aims and Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Reflect on the responsibility of different actors to achieve the goals
- Suggest ways the educators and individuals can contribute towards achieving the SDGs locally, nationally, and internationally.
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Click on the icon on the left to watch the video!
The video provides you with some tips about how everyone can make a difference by making some small changes. Some of these small changes include not leaving the water running, including young people in decision making, and telling others about the SDGs! Watch the following video to find out more ways you can help create sustainable development in your local community. |
Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals: Whose responsibility is it?
The Sustainable Development Goals set a road map towards sustainable development. With ambitious, complex, and wide-reaching objectives that cover social, economic, and environmental dimensions of development, it is important to ask the question: who is responsible for achieving the targets? Plans to do so should be made in collaboration between multiple stakeholders: international governing bodies, national and local government, civil society, businesses, academia and science, as well as individuals and citizen groups.
The Sustainable Development Goals set a road map towards sustainable development. With ambitious, complex, and wide-reaching objectives that cover social, economic, and environmental dimensions of development, it is important to ask the question: who is responsible for achieving the targets? Plans to do so should be made in collaboration between multiple stakeholders: international governing bodies, national and local government, civil society, businesses, academia and science, as well as individuals and citizen groups.
International Governing Bodies
International governing bodies have the potential to make a large impact on the efforts taken to reach the targets of the SDGs. The EU is an example of such a body, and creates policies that must be implemented by EU countries, as well as recommendations. This ensures a regional response to sustainable development challenges. The EU aims to:
Sources: Cecilia Gregersen, James Mackie and Carmen Torres, Implementation of the 2030 Agenda in the European Union: Constructing an EU approach to policy coherence for Sustainable Development (Discussion Paper 197) (2016), retrieved May 8, 2017, from http://ecdpm.org/wp-content/uploads/DP197-Implementation-2030-Agenda-EU-Gregersen-Mackie-Torres-July-2016.pdf
International governing bodies have the potential to make a large impact on the efforts taken to reach the targets of the SDGs. The EU is an example of such a body, and creates policies that must be implemented by EU countries, as well as recommendations. This ensures a regional response to sustainable development challenges. The EU aims to:
- produce policies enabling sustainable development at all levels especially in the areas of health and environment
- focus on capacity development to deliver the agenda
- mobilise finances through a fair tax environment and a commitment to spending 0.7% of gross national income on overseas development aid.
- invest in science, technology and innovation
- mobilise the private sector to engage with the agenda through rewards for social and environmental responsibility
- integrate sustainable development into trade policy, and thereby reduce poverty.
Sources: Cecilia Gregersen, James Mackie and Carmen Torres, Implementation of the 2030 Agenda in the European Union: Constructing an EU approach to policy coherence for Sustainable Development (Discussion Paper 197) (2016), retrieved May 8, 2017, from http://ecdpm.org/wp-content/uploads/DP197-Implementation-2030-Agenda-EU-Gregersen-Mackie-Torres-July-2016.pdf
National Governments
National governments have ultimate responsibility for the SDG agenda, and must develop a national strategy, monitoring systems, and annual reporting. In this way, National governments must work in tandem with other governments, on a regional and supranational level. We have already seen some of the ways that the Maltese government is doing so in Module 3.
In Malta and elsewhere, national governments are not singular bodies but are made up of many parts. Local governments are imperative actors to the achievement of the SDGs, and ensure that residents in their constituencies are aware of their importance.
Sources: Getting Started with The Sustainable Development Goals: A guide for Stakeholders (2015), retrieved May 7, 2017, from http://unsdsn.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/151211-getting-started-guide-FINAL-PDF-.pdf 15-16
National governments have ultimate responsibility for the SDG agenda, and must develop a national strategy, monitoring systems, and annual reporting. In this way, National governments must work in tandem with other governments, on a regional and supranational level. We have already seen some of the ways that the Maltese government is doing so in Module 3.
In Malta and elsewhere, national governments are not singular bodies but are made up of many parts. Local governments are imperative actors to the achievement of the SDGs, and ensure that residents in their constituencies are aware of their importance.
Sources: Getting Started with The Sustainable Development Goals: A guide for Stakeholders (2015), retrieved May 7, 2017, from http://unsdsn.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/151211-getting-started-guide-FINAL-PDF-.pdf 15-16
Local Government
Local governments are essential to translating policies from the national level to local citizens and community groups and as such will actualise SDG strategies on the ground. Cities can test approaches and compile data on progress. As we saw in the previous video, little steps can play a big role in achieving the overall sustainable development goals. Each city or local municipality can be an important facture in a country or a region realising the sustainable development goals.
Within each local area, there are also businesses that operate and provide for the local population. These businesses have some of the greatest opportunity to promote the benefits of the SDGs.
Sources: Getting Started with The Sustainable Development Goals: A guide for Stakeholders (2015), retrieved May 7, 2017, from http://unsdsn.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/151211-getting-started-guide-FINAL-PDF-.pdf16
Local governments are essential to translating policies from the national level to local citizens and community groups and as such will actualise SDG strategies on the ground. Cities can test approaches and compile data on progress. As we saw in the previous video, little steps can play a big role in achieving the overall sustainable development goals. Each city or local municipality can be an important facture in a country or a region realising the sustainable development goals.
Within each local area, there are also businesses that operate and provide for the local population. These businesses have some of the greatest opportunity to promote the benefits of the SDGs.
Sources: Getting Started with The Sustainable Development Goals: A guide for Stakeholders (2015), retrieved May 7, 2017, from http://unsdsn.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/151211-getting-started-guide-FINAL-PDF-.pdf16
Business
Business can and should play a part in moving towards global sustainable development. It should:
Sources: Getting Started with The Sustainable Development Goals: A guide for Stakeholders (2015), retrieved May 7, 2017, from http://unsdsn.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/151211-getting-started-guide-FINAL-PDF-.pdf17
Summary of the key messages of the General Assembly and ECOSOC Joint Thematic Debate/Forum on Partnerships “The role of partnerships in the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda” (2014), retrieved May 7, 2017, from http://www.un.org/en/ecosoc/partnership2014/pdf/summary.pdf
Business can and should play a part in moving towards global sustainable development. It should:
- provide greater social protection for workers;
- use natural resources sustainably;
- engage in corporate social responsibility and philanthropic donations.
Sources: Getting Started with The Sustainable Development Goals: A guide for Stakeholders (2015), retrieved May 7, 2017, from http://unsdsn.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/151211-getting-started-guide-FINAL-PDF-.pdf17
Summary of the key messages of the General Assembly and ECOSOC Joint Thematic Debate/Forum on Partnerships “The role of partnerships in the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda” (2014), retrieved May 7, 2017, from http://www.un.org/en/ecosoc/partnership2014/pdf/summary.pdf
Civil Society
Civil society groups are crucial to the 2030 agenda in many ways. They represent the needs of communities and regions that are underrepresented and marginalised and have extensive experience in delivering services to these groups. Civil society are closer to the ground and are therefore critical players in planning and implementation programmes and policies to achieve the goals. Civil society is also important for monitoring progress and holding other actors to account.
Can you recall some of the ways civil society is working towards the goals from the case studies presented in the previous modules? .
Sources: Getting Started with The Sustainable Development Goals: A guide for Stakeholders (2015), retrieved May 7, 2017, from http://unsdsn.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/151211-getting-started-guide-FINAL-PDF-.pdf
Summary of the key messages of the General Assembly and ECOSOC Joint Thematic Debate/Forum on Partnerships “The role of partnerships in the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda” (2014), retrieved May 7, 2017, from http://www.un.org/en/ecosoc/partnership2014/pdf/summary.pdf
Civil society groups are crucial to the 2030 agenda in many ways. They represent the needs of communities and regions that are underrepresented and marginalised and have extensive experience in delivering services to these groups. Civil society are closer to the ground and are therefore critical players in planning and implementation programmes and policies to achieve the goals. Civil society is also important for monitoring progress and holding other actors to account.
Can you recall some of the ways civil society is working towards the goals from the case studies presented in the previous modules? .
Sources: Getting Started with The Sustainable Development Goals: A guide for Stakeholders (2015), retrieved May 7, 2017, from http://unsdsn.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/151211-getting-started-guide-FINAL-PDF-.pdf
Summary of the key messages of the General Assembly and ECOSOC Joint Thematic Debate/Forum on Partnerships “The role of partnerships in the implementation of the post-2015 development agenda” (2014), retrieved May 7, 2017, from http://www.un.org/en/ecosoc/partnership2014/pdf/summary.pdf
Academia
Universities and institutions of higher education can play a major role in the planning, implementation, and monitoring process. They can:
Universities and institutions of higher education can play a major role in the planning, implementation, and monitoring process. They can:
- Create and incubate new technologies
- Identify priorities and best practices in strategy and innovation
- Monitor the agenda through the collection, analysis, and interpretation of primary data
- Educate individuals working towards sustainable development and promote public awareness.
- Be a source of long-term independent technical assistance to other groups.
Individuals and Citizen Groups
Every single citizen on this planet has the opportunity to help the planet. Here are a few ways you can use to not only empower your students, but also empower yourself to take action!
Every single citizen on this planet has the opportunity to help the planet. Here are a few ways you can use to not only empower your students, but also empower yourself to take action!
- Lobby government officials. This website has the contact details of different government ministries. Get in touch to tell them which of the goals are important to you, and ask them what they are doing to make sure the targets are reached: https://www.gov.mt/en/Pages/gov.mt%20homepage.aspx
- Consume responsibly. Research companies, and only buy from those that can demonstrate that they employ sustainable practices in delivering their goods to the shop. Do they pay their workers a fair wage? Do they provide safe working conditions? Do they consider the environmental impact of their production? If not, write to them to ask them to do so.
- Reduce your carbon footprint by being energy efficient, using less harmful forms of transport, and eating locally sourced products. There are many ways that individuals can reduce their carbon footprint. This article will give you tips on where to start: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jan/19/how-to-reduce-carbon-footprint
- Raise funds for charities and development organisations already working to achieve the goals. Putting money into established organisations is a great way to contribute. Research which organisation works towards a goal that you feel passionate about and raise funds. You can get ideas for fundraising ideas here: https://blog.fundly.com/fundraising-ideas/#creative-and-unique
- Volunteer for charities and development organisations
- Raise awareness of the SDGs:
- Talk to your family and friends about the SDGs. Tell them the need for each person to play their part
- Share news and videos about the SDGs on social media
- Create campaigns in your local community, highlighting the need for the SDGs
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Click on the icon on the left to watch the video!
Many believe that it’s up to politicians to deal with the SDGs. But as we have learned, it is possible for everyone to make a difference. Even businesses can make a difference, and the below video explains that. It goes on to show that sustainable development can mean more success for business, as well as acting as a driving force for positive change. Watch the video below to find out how the business sector of society plays an equally important role for a country to realize the SDGs. |
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Creative Thinking Exercise
After having studied the various actors and their responsibilities to implementing the SDGs, consider the following:
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Summary
In this module, we have:
In this module, we have:
- Reflected on the responsibility of different actors to contribute towards achieving the SDGs
- Thought about the strengths each actor has, and how they can best contribute towards a sustainable future
Looking Ahead
The final module of this course looks at what you can do as teachers not only to raise awareness of the goals, but also help your students to become active in working to achieve the goals. You will develop a lesson plan or longer term project that will bring the SDGs to life and allow them to see how your subject relates to real issues the world is facing.
The final module of this course looks at what you can do as teachers not only to raise awareness of the goals, but also help your students to become active in working to achieve the goals. You will develop a lesson plan or longer term project that will bring the SDGs to life and allow them to see how your subject relates to real issues the world is facing.
Additional Reading
The lazy person’s guide to saving the world
10 Things You Can Do Right Now to Help Accomplish the SDGs
Navigating the SDGs: a business guide to engaging with the UN Global Goals
10 ways an individual can contribute to the UN sustainable development goals
The lazy person’s guide to saving the world
10 Things You Can Do Right Now to Help Accomplish the SDGs
Navigating the SDGs: a business guide to engaging with the UN Global Goals
10 ways an individual can contribute to the UN sustainable development goals
