The Local Government Association and the UK Stakeholders for Sustainable Development have today launched a guide to help councils engage with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at a time when many are starting to re-think the role of local government in leading places and empowering people. The UN’s 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, adopted by all UN member states, are an urgent call for action by all countries to end poverty and other deprivations to improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change. The LGA, which represents councils in England and Wales, said that if they are to be attained, then local action by councils will be crucial and must be better funded and supported by national government. This joint guide with UKSSD reinforces the need for coherent decision-making between all levels of government at a time of growing consensus regarding the importance of an economically and environmentally sustainable recovery. SWM, who have been working with some of our local authorities recently in helping them to address the climate emergency, would be keen to understand the usefulness of this guide for our local authorities part of our WM Public Sector Sustainability and Energy Network. Do you have the resources to implement some of the recommendations of this report? What further support do you need? As ever, you can let us know. You can download the guide here.
