On 22nd March, members from the EU Committee on Development (DEVE) and Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) met to discuss a new EU draft report on the implementation and delivery of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), aiming to boost EU efforts to meet the 2030 targets. Back in 2015, the EU played a key role in establishing the UN’s 2030 Agenda, with strong commitment prevailing to meet these aims. This draft report stresses the impending deadline for the SDGs in less than 7 years.
The report begins by signposting notable resources informing the EU’s response, including the UN’s 2019 ‘The future is now: Science for achieving sustainable development’ and 2021 ‘The Decade of Action for the Sustainable Development Goals’. Importantly, the EU recognises the heightened relevancy of the 2030 Agenda for addressing societal issues, given the current geopolitical landscape and recent crisis events including COVID, the war in Ukraine and biodiversity loss.
At the halfway mark, this report calls for strong European leadership to achieve the SDGs, given progress for nearly all goals is behind target. Significant action is now required to revitalize efforts. Suggested actions include; increasing the visibility of SDGs in EU policies, the creation of a permanent engagement platform for civil society organisations to be involved in the SDG implementation process and enhanced Eurostat data on relevant indicators. The report also highlights the upcoming High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in September (New York) as an opportunity to review progress and re-intensify action.
Collective mobilisation is crucial to achieving the 2030 Agenda. This requires all sectors to proactively engage with relevant indicators. SDG 3 is central to the fitness and physical activity sector in ensuring healthy lives and wellbeing at all ages, particularly target 3.4 of reducing 1/3 premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 2030. As physical inactivity is a significant NCD risk factor, the sector has a crucial role to play. Additionally, the activities of the fitness and physical activity sector interlink with many other goals, including SDG 10 (reduced inequalities), 12 (responsible consumption and production), 13 (climate action) and others. Data reporting on public engagement with physical activity is also important for effectively monitoring SDG progress.
EuropeActive is engaged in multiple projects to contribute to the SDG Agenda. HEPA Project, for example, is supporting increased physical activity in school environments to reduce NCD risk. Additionally, Green Audit is focused on SDG12 and 13, developing a tool to show fitness and sport business their carbon footprint. It also provides recommendations for how the sector can reduce its impact on the environment. In the Sectoral Manifesto for EuropeActive’s Horizon 2025, aligning with the SDG’s is explicitly included under the community pillar. It is of key importance for the sector to enhance commitment to health promotion and sustainable business practices moving forward to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.