10 April 2018
Social Justice Ireland Reports on Ireland’s SDG Progress
Photo by IISD | Lynn Wagner
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A report by Social Justice Ireland finds that Ireland ranks 11th out of 15 similar European countries on SDG indicators.

The report cautions that Ireland is lagging behind on SDGs 5, 7, 10, 12, 13, 15 and 17.

Ireland performed well on SDGs 3, 4 and 6.

20 February 2018: Social Justice Ireland has published a report that finds Ireland is lagging behind the EU on implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The report assesses Ireland’s progress compared to 15 similar European countries on economy, environment, and society indicators.

The report titled, ‘Measuring Progress: Economy, Society and Environment,’ finds that Ireland ranks 11th out of 15 similar European countries on SDG indicators. In particular, the research underscores the country’s relative lack of progress on SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 10 (reduced inequalities), SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production), SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 15 (life on land) and SDG 17 (partnership for the goals).

On SDG 5, for instance, Ireland increased the number of females in a leadership role and female representation in national parliament, but the percentage of females in both these categories were below the EU average. On the environment-related SDGs, Ireland performed well on SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation). The country increased its share of renewable energy to 9.5 percent, but this percentage was well below its EU counterparts, and Ireland remained a net importer of energy, raising concerns about the country’s ability to achieve SDG 7. On SDG 12, Ireland produced more waste per capita than its EU counterparts and needs to change its waste-based consumption patterns to achieve SDG 12. The report further finds that Ireland needs to increase its efforts to tackle its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and continue to decrease its energy use to achieve the Goal on climate action. The report observes that limited data make it difficult to assess Ireland’s progress on SDG 14 (life below water) and SDG 15.

Ireland placed in the top one-third of EU countries on SDG 4 (quality education), with more children participating in early childhood education, fewer students leaving school early, more people attaining tertiary education, and more young people employed. Ireland also performed better than many other EU countries on SDG 2 (zero hunger) indicators related to sustainable agricultural production and obesity, although the report observes that Ireland’s performance on obesity is still a concern. On SDG 3 (good health and well-being), Ireland made steady progress on increasing its life expectancy and decreasing its suicide rate.

Social Justice launched the report on the UN World Day of Justice, on 20 February in Dublin, Ireland. [Social Justice Press Release] [Publication: Sustainable Progress Index for 2018]

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