Evidence-based policy to localise the Sdgs

The effective implementation of a territorial approach to the SDGs implies the combination of a variety of factors. These span from place-based policies to a solid multi-level governance and financing system, to global and context-specific data for evidence-based actions, combining functional and administrative approaches to address territorial challenges and opportunities. Implementing evidence-based policies is key to localise the SDGs and will be focus of this event.

The event will build on the conviction that cities, regions and national governments need evidence regarding their “distance” to the SDGs, notably since at least 105 of the 169 SDGs targets will not be achieved without the engagement and coordination with local and regional governments. At least 80% of OECD regions have not achieved the 2030 targets in any of the 17 SDGs, and at least 70% of cities have not fulfilled the suggested objectives for 15 out of the 17 SDGs. Knowing where they stand and what challenges they still have to address, can help local governments to redefine priorities, strategies, budgeting, and redirect action towards the achievement of the SDGs. In view of the increasing number of cities and regions using the SDGs to shape their local development plans and strategies, there is a strong a demand for subnational indicators to guide and assess policies and strategies. Regions and cities require a more adapted and context-specific indicator framework to monitor progress towards all the SDGs.

This is one of the key reasons why the OECD developed a framework to localise the SDG targets and indicators in regions and cities. The framework, which was first published in 2020, includes a method to measure the distance of regions and cities to each of the 17 SDGs, trying to maximise international comparisons. To respond to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, a changing landscape and expand the evidence-base, this webtool has been updated and further developed to include the most recent data of more than 600 cities and regions in OECD countries and beyond, which will be presented during the event.

Based on the new evidence, this event also aims to facilitate the sharing of best practices and innovative strategies among cities, regions and international organisations for integrating SDG-focused indicators into local policy making, enhancing the ability to monitor and accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda. It will build on the expertise of panelists from international organisations including the OECD, European Commission JRC, cities and national governments and provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss the development and implementation of context-specific metrics help design evidence-based policies with the goal to achieve the SDGs.