On 22 November, the European Commission published a package of three Communications which includes a proposal for the new Consensus for Development, the building blocks for a renewed Partnership with partner countries and the Communication on the next steps for a Sustainable European Future.

Representing a cross-sectoral alliance of Civil Society Organizations, the SDG Watch Europe read carefully the documents and expressed its concerns, especially with regards to the third document, the so called “Communication on the next steps for a sustainable European future – European action for sustainability”.

From SDG Watch Europe perspective, the EC Communication does not provide enough information on how the EU intends to transform the Agenda 2030 into a reality in Europe or around the world. Particularly, SDG Watch Europe is concerned by the lack of clear European road-map for the implementation of the SDGs, despite the fact the “Agenda 2030” was adopted more than one year ago. The Communication does not define, nor mention, the need of creating an EU Sustainable Development Strategy with a 2030 timeline and it does not incorporate it to the EU internal and external action. In addition, the SDG Watch Europe alliance stresses the lack of constructive consultation and cooperation between the EC and the European civil society in the preparation of the above mentioned Communication. “Agenda 2030” promotes an open, participatory and inclusive multi-stakeholders approach, which was not taken into account in the process of “mapping” existing EU policy frameworks, and identifying the gaps in relation to SDGs commitments..

As a conclusion, SDG Watch Europe stated that “It will be impossible to implement the vision of Agenda 2030 without changing current EU and Member State policies and paradigms to become more coherent with the Sustainable Development Goals”, adding “There is little, if anything, in the substance of the EC Communication just published which suggests that the European Commission understands this reality or is prepared to take the necessary steps to realise the transformative vision of Agenda 2030, within the EU or in its external action”.

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SDG Watch Europe is an informal, civil society alliance of more than 70 organisations working in Europe and beyond on development, environmental, social, human rights and other issues. We have come together to support the implementation and monitoring of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by the EU and its Member States. ALDA & the LADDER Project are part of this alliance.

Useful Links:

SDG Watch Europe: Statement on the European Commission’s Communication on European action for sustainability
European Commission’s Communications: Next steps for a Sustainable European Future