SDG Action was launched in 2021 to support the UN’s Decade of Action. Its aim is to encourage cross-sector dialogue and problem solving to accelerate the transition to sustainability.
Climate — Europe
Indirect lobbying of governments and institutions by industry associations remains an important way for companies to sabotage climate progress, and it’s flying under the radar. We need more responsible firms and governments to call out and curb these hidden and harmful practices before it’s too late
As developed economies deploy powerful incentives to boost low-carbon industries, critics argue they’re creating structural barriers for developing countries, hindering their ability to participate in and benefit from the global shift to clean energy. How can we balance climate investment and trade to promote a rapid, just transition for all nations?
With the Sustainable Development Goals at risk of falling short by 2030, a circular economy model could be the revitalizing force we need. By embracing the mutually reinforcing approach of sustainability and circularity, we can accelerate progress toward existing targets – and inspire a transformative vision for the decades ahead
Carbon emission reduction plans designed by developed nations can – whether by intention or not – deny developing nations the opportunity to develop. Balancing climate action with economic progress is critical to creating an inclusive, resilient future for all
Emissions trading systems played a pivotal role in combating acid rain in the 1990s, but their rollout for greenhouse gases has been comparatively slow. What’s holding them back, and what will it take for these systems to help win the fight against climate change?
Finance that will deliver on climate action and the SDGs requires a coordinated approach among governments, regulators, rating agencies, exchanges, asset managers, and investors. Many encouraging initiatives are already underway – now, we must build on this momentum to create a financial ecosystem where every investment supports both economic growth and environmental preservation
Addressing climate change requires a paradigm shift: disruptive, decarbonizing technologies across agriculture, industrials, buildings, energy, and transportation, backed by strong government investment. By fostering exploratory innovation in each sector, we can create the comprehensive solutions for the sustainable transformation we need
Calls for the private sector to plug gaps in climate investment, expertise, and entrepreneurship often overlook a critical fact: only government policy can unleash capital at scale. With targeted incentives, governments hold the power to drive the private funding needed to meet climate goals
While the world champions a shift toward circular economies, markets cling to linear growth principles that undermine real progress. True circularity requires a departure from systems designed for extraction, consumption, waste, and return on investment
The UN and the USA need each other. A failure to recognize the benefits that the USA receives has led to a push to defund the UN – the consequences would be detrimental to everyone
“Underpinning all our efforts must be a more concerted effort to dismantle gender barriers and empower all women and girls – because we cannot expect to achieve the Goals without gender equality,” António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.
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Climate change means millions more women and girls risk having insufficient food and resources to meet their basic needs. As women bear the brunt of climate impacts, so they must have equity in decision-making on climate solutions
While the war on Gaza devastates all its inhabitants as neighborhoods turn to rubble, the toll on Gazan women is particularly shocking. The world must act now to stop the immediate suffering – and then commit to the harder work of helping women rebuild their lives in a peaceful future
Achieving the SDGs in fragile, violent, and/or corrupt states represents a daunting challenge – but not an impossible one. Success calls for a tailored, multi-pronged approach that addresses the fundamental interplay between poverty and conflict
The UN is under attack from virtually every quarter. What might an effective, reformed UN look like, one that remains a central player in addressing the world’s most pressing issues?
