As the new EC prepares the European Green Deal, the 2019 Europe Sustainable Development Report comes at a crucial time, finding that whilst European countries lead globally on the SDGs, none are on track to achieve the goals by 2030.

The 2019 Europe Sustainable Development Report is an independent quantitative report on the progress of the EU and its member states are making toward SDGs, prepared by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP).

Countries closest to achieving the SDGs include Denmark, Sweden and Finland, whereas Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus rank last among 28 countries assessed.

The report outlines six transformations that together can achieve all 17 SDGs and applies them to the European Union. It offers practical recommendations for how the EU and its member states can achieve the SDGs with a focus on three broad areas: internal priorities, diplomacy and development cooperation, and tackling negative international spillovers.

Key recommendations include an EU-wide strategy to fully decarbonise the energy system by 2050; strengthen the circular economy and achieve greater efficiencies in resource use and far lower waste; and promote sustainable land-use and food systems by 2050.

In order to achieve this, the EU will need to increase public and private investments in sustainable infrastructure, including power and transport. This in turn will require greater financial resources for the EU.

The report concludes that although meeting the targets will require significant changes, the EU already has at its disposal the policy mechanisms and instruments that can ensure success on the SDGs. The incoming Commission has declared its commitment to make the SDGs Europe’s agenda. The data and findings in the report suggest that this is the right ambition and one that is ultimately feasible.

Full report here.

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