Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2021
200. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress made to include reference in all new statements of strategy to all sustainable development goal targets for which his Department has lead responsibility as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals National Implementation Plan 2018-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25747/21]
View answerThe UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a significant and ambitious policy agenda that concerns all Government Departments.The first National Implementation Plan (2018-2020), published in 2018, set out Ireland’s strategy to achieve the SDGs both domestically and internationally. The Goals are mainstreamed in domestic policy and the governance structure reflects a whole-of-government approach that ensures coordination and coherence, in particular where goals cover areas of shared responsibility. 19 Actions were included in the first National Implementation Plan. Action 4 of the plan set out a commitment to include reference in all new Statements of Strategy to all SDG targets for which a Department has lead responsibility. The development of the next SDG Implementation Plan has commenced, with the intention of publication later this year. A National Progress report will be incorporated into the Plan and will assess the progress on the 19 Actions, including the commitment set out under Action 4. My Department's Statement of Strategy 2021-2023 underlines our commitment to coordinate Government action on embedding the SDGs into the programmes and policies of every Department and lead the whole-of-Government effort to foster public awareness and participation around the SDGs. In addition, the Strategy underlines our commitment to drive achievement in respect of the specific goals which we lead on, namely goals 7, ‘Affordable and clean energy’; 12, ‘Responsible consumption and production’; and 13, ‘Climate Action’. The Statement of Strategy 2021-2023 is available online at gov.ie
