Voluntary National Review of progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, June 2019 Sophie, 14, Kent Front cover: Artwork by Sophie, 14, Kent Selected through a UK-wide art competition. © Crown copyright 2019 This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/ open-government-licence/version/3 This document is also available from our website at www.gov.uk/sustainabledevelopmentgoals. Any enquiries regarding this document should be sent to [email protected]. 2 The UK’s Voluntary National Review 2019 Contents Introduction Foreword 4 Executive Summary 5 Approach to the Voluntary National Review 7 Implementing the Goals Incorporating the Goals in policy and planning frameworks 10 Delivering the Goals through shared endeavour 13 Using Data and tracking progress towards the Goals 19 Meeting the promise to Leave No One Behind 26 Action on the Goals Goal 1: No Poverty 27 Goal 2: Zero Hunger 39 Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being 49 Goal 4: Quality Education 62 Goal 5: Gender Equality 75 Goal 6: Clean Water Sanatation 86 Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy 95 Goal 8: Decent work and Economic Growth 105 Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure 116 Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities 126 Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities 136 Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production 148 Goal 13: Climate Action 158 Goal 14: Life Below Water 169 Goal 15: Life on Land 180 Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions 192 Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals 204 Conclusion and next steps Conclusions and next steps 213 Annex I: Key acronyms and glossary 215 Annex II: Endnotes 216 Annex: III: Statistical Annex See separate document 3 Introduction Foreword There is always a risk with great international This is the United Kingdom’s first Voluntary National strategies that an extraordinary endeavour gets Review. We are proud of what we have achieved but buried in abstract jargon. And sometimes the more humbled by what we haven’t. It is not an end in itself words that are used, the less attention is paid to their but rather has taught us about what we must do meaning. Even concepts like sustainability – which better. It balances achievements with shortcomings were once radical challenges to the way we worked – and, most importantly, outlines next steps. can lose their power over time. We have made significant strides and have strong Our challenge, and our opportunity, is to make the foundations on which to build, but we know there most of the creativity and energy the Sustainable is more to do. We have decarbonised more than any Development Goals inspire. Whether they succeed other advanced economy, but it is imperative we strive or fail will depend on our ability to convert their harder and faster to tackle climate change, to protect ambition into reality – actually making the world a our planet for future generations. Our excellent better place. National Health Service has transformed the lives of many millions, but we must strengthen how we The Goals, neatly encapsulated by five Ps – People, support a growing and ageing population, including Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership - cover the finding a sustainable approach to adult social care. On most pressing issues of our time. They express our these and many other issues, our Voluntary National moral obligation to end hunger and extreme poverty, Review describes how we have approached our to ensure that every girl receives an education and to particular challenges, with lessons which we hope will save our planet and the species that dwell here. The help others. Goals have given us a way of talking about all this and a framework for making it reality. And ‘we’ means every sector of society. The vital role of partnership is a thread throughout the report: With more nuanced language has come a more preparing it has proven beyond all doubt just how nuanced conversation. It is not just about incomes, much sustainable development depends on us all, but also about values. It is not just about avoiding not just governments. The examples and case studies catastrophe, but about letting everybody reach their underscore that everyone has an important role to full potential – Leaving No One Behind. play, including civil society, the private sector, research The Goals are not just about doing more, they and academia, Parliamentarians, communities and are about protecting what we have: protecting individuals across the country. the environment, protecting heritage, protecting Conducting our Voluntary National Review has further communities, protecting health and well-being, deepened our respect and understanding of the Goals protecting the rights of vulnerable groups, and and stiffened our resolve to Leave No One Behind. protecting our planet. Rory Stewart Secretary of State for International Development 4 The UK’s Voluntary National Review 2019 Executive Summary In 2015, the United Kingdom (UK) played a central the narrative in each chapter, highlight how much role in the formulation and adoption of the 2030 delivering sustainable development depends on Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the engagement beyond government, particularly by civil 17 Sustainable Development Goals (the “Goals” also society and the private sector. known as the Global Goals). The UK pushed hard for Each Goal-focussed chapter provides coverage of the commitments on gender equality, peace and security, Goals at Global Target level. It takes stock of progress, and the underpinning promise to Leave No One highlights achievements, outlines challenges and Behind – all of which remain UK priorities. identifies next steps. The UK is committed to implementing the Goals and The UK is determined to tackle injustices at home and the 2030 Agenda at home and around the world. abroad. The Goals reflect the most significant global While progress has been made, much remains to challenges of modern time. The issues they relate to be done. are complex and interlinked. The Voluntary National Review shows some of the action being taken. This Implementing the Goals is a work in progress and there is more to do to meet In the UK, national frameworks capture government the ambition of the Goals. priorities in relation to the Goals, with work taking The ONS has been able to source good data on most place on multiple levels to strengthen delivery across of the Goals – reporting data on 74% (180 of the the UK. This approach recognises and respects total 244) of Global Indicators as of June 2019. The the devolution settlements in Scotland, Wales and transparency and strength of the Voluntary National Northern Ireland. Each is responsible for implementing Review depends in part on this data. But gaps remain, its own policies in areas of devolved competence, particularly concerning the extent to which data can resulting in approaches that respond to national and currently be disaggregated, which can make it difficult local needs. to identify those most at risk of being left behind. The UK data for the Global Indicators is reported to ONS is continuing to work hard on this. the United Nations (UN) by the Office for National Notwithstanding this challenge, the UK has a strong Statistics (ONS), the UK’s national statistics agency. story to tell domestically on many of the Goals, This data is open, transparent and accessible via the including: ONS’ National Reporting Platform. The Platform sets out the Global Indicators for which data is available, • high-quality health service, free for all at the point the source, disaggregation where available, and any of use; other relevant information. • high and rising standards of education, including putting inclusivity at the heart of education policy, Action on the Goals supporting the full potential of learners of all ages; The UK’s first Voluntary National Review sets out • increasing employment, with more women and clearly and comprehensively collective efforts on the those with disabilities in work; Goals since their adoption in 2015. It covers domestic • progress made on climate and the environment; and international work on all 17 Goals, with a focus and on the domestic. It has been produced through collaboration with and input from the devolved • some of the world’s strongest legislation on equality administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern issues, in order to advance equality of opportunity Ireland. for all. It not only tells the story of government but At the same time, there are areas that require further demonstrates the breadth of action and activity work on each of the Goals, including: across the UK as a whole. This has been informed • continuing to tackle injustice to ensure no one is by wide-ranging stakeholder engagement. There are left behind; activity snapshots throughout the report. These, and 5 Introduction • further increasing efforts to address climate and environmental issues; • ensuring the housing market works for everybody; • responding to mental health needs; and • supporting a growing and ageing population. Internationally, the UK remains committed to spending 0.7% of gross national income (GNI) on Official Development Assistance (ODA) to support delivery of the Goals, in accordance with the UK Aid Strategy. In line with the promise to Leave No One Behind, the UK also continues to meet the UN target (as part of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda agreement) to allocate between 0.15-0.2% of GNI to ODA in Least Developed Countries. For example, the UK is strengthening global health security by helping tackle diseases including Ebola. Moreover, there is concerted effort to help the world’s poorest by tackling global challenges like pollution and climate change; addressing the root causes of extreme poverty by tackling conflict and building peace and security; and contributing to inclusive and sustainable economic growth.