Conclusions and recommendations
7.1
The committee's inquiry into the United Nations Sustainable Development
Goals (UN SDGs) and associated 2030 Agenda was a challenge due to the large
scope of the agenda. There are 17 goals and 169 supporting targets, covering a
broad swathe of economic, social and environmental policy issues. Adding to the
challenge, the inquiry received more than 160 written submissions from diverse
sectors including business, international development, education and civil
society. Throughout the inquiry, the committee spoke with some highly engaged
sectors, organisations and individuals. However, despite all UN member states
committing to the SDGs in 2015, awareness for the general population of the
SDGs is generally low across Australia, and the inquiry has been the first time
the parliament has engaged with the SDGs in a comprehensive manner.
7.2
This chapter outlines the committee's view of the potential benefits and
costs of implementing the SDGs in Australia. The chapter then summarises the
current domestic policy landscape and details recommendations for improving
implementation by strengthening the leadership and coordination role of the
national government; establishing awareness-raising initiatives; and creating
partnerships with other levels of government, the private sector and civil
society. The chapter ends with the committee's conclusions regarding
Australia's support for the international implementation of the SDGs through
official development assistance.
Potential benefits, opportunities and costs
Benefits and opportunities
7.3
Throughout the inquiry, the committee heard that implementing the 2030
Agenda in Australia and achieving the SDGs would bring many benefits. For
example, a key aspect of the 2030 Agenda is the pledge 'that no one will be
left behind'. The committee recognises that acting on this commitment would
improve conditions for many Australians, including people with disability and
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Evidence to the inquiry also
highlighted that the 2030 Agenda provides the opportunity to improve domestic
policy coherence by identifying where initiatives in one sector may impact on
efforts in other areas.
Costs
7.4
The committee heard that public and private investment will be required
to meet the funding gap across a range of sectors in order to achieve the SDGs.
A few submissions also noted that some businesses may face costs as they
transition towards using more sustainable practices in alignment with the SDGs.
However, the committee also heard that sustainable business practices can be
more efficient, and is aware that many businesses are already seeking to align
with the SDGs because they are perceived as an opportunity for business rather
than a burden.
7.5
Implementing the SDGs could also impose additional reporting requirements
on private and public sector organisations—unless reporting is effectively
aligned with existing processes. Acknowledging that pursuing the SDGs will
require some financial investment, the committee nevertheless believes that the
potential costs are outweighed by the business and employment opportunities and
other benefits presented by the SDGs.
Current situation
7.6
The committee acknowledges the committed and innovative efforts to
engage with the SDGs made by some civil society organisations, businesses,
universities, schools, leading local governments and a number of Australian
Government agencies. However, the committee was concerned to hear that the SDGs
are generally unknown across Australia, apart from some highly engaged
stakeholders. It further heard that when the SDGs are considered, they are
often mistakenly viewed as only relating to overseas aid. While Australia is
supporting other countries to implement the SDGs through its aid program, the
committee firmly believes that Australia also needs to concentrate on domestic
implementation to make the most of the opportunities presented by the agenda.
The Australian Government's
approach
7.7
Several departmental officials asserted that the Australian Government
has been adopting a whole of government approach to implementing the 2030
Agenda. Central to this approach is an interdepartmental committee (IDC) at the
Deputy Secretary level, which is co-chaired by the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C). The IDC has
been supported by working groups at the First Assistant Secretary (FAS) and
executive officer level.
7.8
Individual agencies are responsible for integrating the SDGs into their
policies, communications and reporting. Various agencies have also been designated
'lead' and 'supporting' responsibility for domestic reporting on each of the
SDGs for Australia's first Voluntary National Review (VNR). Australia presented
its first VNR in 2018, and has committed to presenting at least one more before
2030. The Australian Government has also supported the development of an online
reporting platform on the SDG indicators and a website with domestic case
studies and links to resources on the SDGs.
Concerns regarding the approach
7.9
Submissions revealed some scepticism regarding the Australian
Government's level of commitment to the SDGs, and the effectiveness of its
governance arrangements. The committee heard that, while officials indicated
that they were implementing a whole of government approach, individual agencies
are engaging with the SDGs to different degrees without clear standards or an
agreed communication strategy. Several lead and supporting agencies failed to
make written submissions to the inquiry. An agency was also initially resistant
to appearing at a public hearing, despite having lead responsibility for more
than one goal. The committee was concerned that this did not reflect the
necessary and avowed commitment and coordinated leadership on the SDG agenda.
Moreover, unlike many other countries, Australia does not have mechanisms for
coordinating the national implementation of the SDGs, such as an overarching
plan, formal consultative platform or regular progress report.
7.10
The committee is concerned that this lack of focussed national
leadership is hindering the implementation of the SDGs. The terms of reference
for this inquiry did not include an assessment of Australia's progress against
the SDGs. However, evidence indicated that Australia has the scope to do better
domestically against most of the SDGs, particularly with regards to climate
action and reducing inequalities. In 2018, Australia was ranked 37th
in the world by the independent Bertelsmann Stiftung and SDSN SDG Index. The
committee is concerned that this is likely to continue to fall unless the
national government takes on a more active role in advancing the SDGs. Evidence
to the inquiry identified many suggestions for how to improve the Australian
Government's approach to the SDGs to ensure that consistent action is taken
across all agencies. The key suggestions are summarised below.
National government role
National implementation plan
7.11
The committee believes that a national implementation plan is needed to
'localise' the SDGs to the Australian context and coordinate their
implementation. A plan should be developed to identify national priorities,
designate responsibilities to stakeholders and establish a regular reporting
mechanism. The plan should identify priorities by incorporating existing
Australian concerns in consultation with civil society and the private sector.
Approaches such as SDG interaction mapping and scenario modelling could also
assist.
Recommendation 1
7.12
The committee recommends that the Australian Government, through the
interdepartmental committee, publish a national Sustainable Development Goals
implementation plan that includes national priorities and regular reports of
Australia's performance against the goals.
Regular reporting
7.13
The committee notes that the reporting associated with the plan should
go beyond narrative case studies to actually evaluate Australia's progress
against the SDG targets and indicators. The committee views the Australian Government's
online reporting platform on the SDG indicators as providing a foundation for
regular analysis reports. The site will better illustrate Australia's
performance once the colour-coding system is updated to reflect whether
Australia is improving or declining against an indicator (rather than just
showing whether data is provided for each indicator or not).
7.14
The disaggregation of data sets is an ongoing challenge. However, the
committee is reassured that the Australian Bureau of Statistics is seeking to
improve disaggregated data collection in partnership with other government
agencies, and encourages efforts to monitor whether anyone is being left
behind.
7.15
Evidence indicates that parliaments can contribute to the implementation
of the SDGs through their legislative, budgetary and oversight functions. The
committee believes that the Australian Government should provide a regular
public update to parliament on progress against the SDGs. This would help to
inform the Australian public and parliament and facilitate further engagement
with the SDGs.
Recommendation 2
7.16
The committee recommends that the Australian Government provide an
indicator-based assessment to parliament at least every two years that tracks
Australia's performance against the Sustainable Development Goals.
Voluntary national reviews
7.17
The committee was pleased with aspects of the first VNR, including the
use of artwork by the Wiradjuri artist Jordana Angus. Evidence regarding the
stakeholder consultation process was also largely positive, though the committee
heard that advocates for people with disability were not sufficiently included.
This review consultation process should have provided a solid basis for ongoing
engagement across the community.
7.18
Australia has committed to presenting a second VNR before 2030, and some
other countries are intending to present three. The committee recommends that
the Australian Government begin considering how future VNRs will be developed.
In particular, it should consider how to ensure stakeholder views are
incorporated into the document, and how to demonstrate progress without any
baseline data from the first VNR. While the first VNR adopted a narrative and
case study approach, future VNRs should include quantitative data showing
Australia's performance against the SDGs, targets and indicators in line with
the data collected on the Australian Government's reporting platform on the SDG
indicators.
Recommendation 3
7.19
The committee recommends that the Australian Government, through the
interdepartmental committee, establish an approach to preparing future
voluntary national review/s that ensures data on Australia's performance
against the goals is included.
Coordination secretariat
7.20
While the IDC will continue until 2030, it meets relatively infrequently
and is comprised of high-ranking officials. Therefore, the evidence identified
a need for a dedicated secretariat to support the work of the IDC. This could
also support the development of the national implementation plan, prepare
Australia's future VNR/s and partner with civil society and the private sector
to support national action on the SDGs.
7.21
The committee acknowledges the work in DFAT over many years in the SDG
agenda through the international development of policy and reporting
responsibilities. DFAT has led the Australian response, through its portfolio,
and has clearly provided support across other areas. Significantly, there
appears to be a perception across the community, and in some areas of the
public sector, that the SDG agenda relates principally to our international programs,
in line with the earlier Millennium Development Goals process. The committee
believes that there must be greater understanding of the domestic policy
commitments and effective coordination. This should be reflected in the
location and resourcing of a coordination secretariat.
Recommendation 4
7.22
The committee recommends that the Australian Government establish a
national Sustainable Development Goals secretariat to provide ongoing support
to the interdepartmental committee, develop a national implementation plan and
provide effective coordination of Australia's actions to implement and report
on the SDG agenda. The location of the secretariat should be determined by
government to ensure the best use of resources.
Alignment of Australian Government
agencies and policies with the SDGs
7.23
The committee acknowledges that some agencies have embraced the SDGs,
particularly DFAT and the Department of the Environment and Energy. The latter
has committed to embedding the SDGs into departmental planning and integrating
information on the environment and energy SDGs, targets and indicators into
Australia's next State of the Environment report. However, evidence to the
inquiry indicated that many Australian Government agencies are failing to
integrate the SDGs into their communications, policies and reporting
frameworks.
7.24
The committee encourages all agencies to make a greater effort to engage
with the SDGs. In particular, the committee supports the consideration of the
SDGs when other documents and strategies are updated, such as the second
Australian National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security and the 'refresh'
of the Closing the Gap targets and indicators.
Recommendation 5
7.25
The committee recommends that Australian Government agencies integrate
the Sustainable Development Goals across all internal and external websites,
strategies and policies as they are updated.
7.26
The committee was pleased that a number of agencies referred to the SDGs
in their recent annual reports, noting that there was some variety in the
extent of the information provided. Most referred to the SDGs in broad terms,
without including data on how the agency was making positive or negative
contributions to the SDGs. At least one 'lead' agency did not refer to the SDGs
in its most recent annual report at all. Therefore, the committee recommends
that the Australian Government develop a framework that agencies can adopt to
report against the SDGs consistently.
Recommendation 6
7.27
The committee recommends that the Australian Government, through the
interdepartmental committee and Department of Finance, develop a framework to
ensure that agencies include the Sustainable Development Goals in their annual
reporting by 2020–21.
Increasing awareness and understanding
7.28
The committee was pleased to receive evidence from some highly engaged
sectors about their awareness of the SDGs. However, the committee believes
there is scope to increase awareness about the SDGs across the Australian
Government and the general community.
Sharing best practice across
government
7.29
There is a general lack of understanding of the SDGs across Australian
Government agencies. However, the body of literature on the SDGs is developing
rapidly, and many information resources are being developed to guide the
implementation of the SDGs, including some tailored specifically for
governments. The committee encourages agencies to engage in best practice
reviews. The committee recommends that this information should be regularly
disseminated through the IDC.
Recommendation 7
7.30
The committee recommends that the Australian Government, through the
interdepartmental committee, regularly share resources on international best
practice across government to improve Australia's performance against the
Sustainable Development Goals.
Promoting awareness beyond
government
7.31
Evidence showed that a few sectors have a high level of awareness and
understanding of the SDGs, such as international development groups, large
businesses and the tertiary sector. However, the committee is concerned that
Australia will not fully benefit from the 2030 Agenda unless the general
community's awareness of the SDGs improves.
7.32
The committee views that some sectors require guidance on how to
understand and implement the SDGs. For example, while sustainability is one of
three cross-curriculum priorities under the Australian Curriculum, the
committee was concerned to hear that school educators have found it difficult
to access and interpret Australian information on the SDGs.
7.33
The committee is pleased that some links to information resources and
case studies are already provided on the Australian SDGs website, launched in
June 2018. The committee recommends that the IDC undertakes a literature review
and updates the resources section regularly with the website partner Global
Compact Network Australia. In addition, the committee recommends that the
Australian Government partner with a range of stakeholders to develop and
disseminate guidance on implementing and reporting against the SDGs for fields
that have identified a need for Australian information, such as primary
schools. The committee notes that the partnership between CSIRO and the
Australian Council for International Development to develop the online SDGs
Toolkit may provide a model.
Recommendation 8
7.34
The committee recommends that the Australian Government, through the
interdepartmental committee, undertakes a literature review relating to the
Sustainable Development Goals and updates the links to the information
resources on the Australian website at least annually. Where gaps are
identified, the committee recommends that the interdepartmental committee
partners with stakeholders to develop and disseminate Australian information
resources.
Awareness-raising campaign
7.35
The committee understands that DFAT has engaged a communications company
to develop some SDGs communication products, but that the Australian Government
does not have a communications strategy for the SDGs. A few agencies are
developing their own communication strategies. The committee is concerned that
this is unnecessarily duplicating work, and risks sending a confused message to
stakeholders across and beyond government. Therefore, the committee recommends
that the IDC develop a strategy for communicating the SDGs to reduce
duplication and ensure that agencies are adopting consistent messaging.
7.36
The committee supports suggestions from submissions that communication
initiatives should emphasise the link between the SDGs and Australian values,
and highlight how individuals, communities and businesses can contribute to
progress against the SDGs. However, the evidence was mixed regarding whether
the Australian Government should establish a nation-wide awareness campaign or
whether it would be more effective to tailor smaller campaigns to specific stakeholder
groups. Therefore, the committee recommends that the IDC assess the merits of
each approach before developing the communication strategy.
Recommendation 9
7.37
The committee recommends that the interdepartmental committee develop a
Sustainable Development Goals communication strategy for the Australian
Government after assessing the merits of a national awareness campaign compared
to targeted communication campaigns for specific stakeholder groups.
Partnerships with other levels of government
7.38
State and territory governments and the local government association did
not participate in the inquiry. While participation was voluntary, it means
that the committee did not receive much evidence on SDGs implementation at these
levels. However, the committee was pleased to hear of a few local governments
that have been embracing the SDGs, including the Cities of Melbourne, Sydney
and Newcastle. Innovative approaches are also being implemented at the local
level, including through the Western Australian SDG Network and the partnership
between Healthy Cities Illawarra and University of Wollongong.
Council of Australian Governments
7.39
The committee was disappointed to learn that the Council of Australian
Governments (COAG) has not made a formal statement about the SDGs agenda. This
should be rectified to ensure a strong and collaborative national approach to
implementing the SDGs. The committee acknowledges the discussion of the SDGs at
meetings of the Senior Officials Group of the National Environment Protection
Council and the Meeting of Environment Ministers. The committee believes that
similar approaches should be taken by other COAG councils and advisory and
support bodies.
Recommendation 10
7.40
The committee recommends that the Australian Government work with state
and territory governments to add the Sustainable Development Goals to Council
of Australian Governments council agendas for regular discussion.
Data collection and reporting
7.41
Evidence illustrated that many of the SDGs, targets and indicators
relate to activities being undertaken at the state, territory and local levels.
Therefore, the committee recommends that the Australian Government consider how
information from these jurisdictions could be collated. The committee considers
that the Australian Government reporting platform on the SDG indicators could
provide a platform to bring together available data, but acknowledges that this
would require the cooperation of multiple levels of government. Therefore, the
committee recommends that opportunities to achieve this be considered through
the COAG process. The committee is aware that this level of cooperation is
likely to be a challenge, however, believes that longer-term projects are
worthwhile in the context of the 2030 Agenda, and suggests that it would have
value even if only achieved for some indicators.
Recommendation 11
7.42
The committee recommends that the Australian Government seek, through
the Council of Australian Governments process, to assess opportunities to
include data from state, territory and local government levels on its reporting
platform on the Sustainable Development Goal indicators.
Information resources and guidance
7.43
The committee heard concerns that implementing the SDGs might create
extra planning and reporting requirements for state, territory and local
governments. Therefore, the committee recommends that the national
implementation plan be accompanied by information resources to support state,
territory and local governments integrating the SDGs into their plans, policies
and reporting processes. The committee notes that implementation toolkits,
guidelines, networking opportunities or events to share best practice may be of
assistance.
Recommendation 12
7.44
The committee recommends that the Australian Government provide
information resources alongside the national implementation plan to support
state, territory and local governments to create their own plans supporting the
implementation of the SDGs in their jurisdictions.
Partnerships with civil society and the private sector
7.45
The committee recognises that the participation of civil society and the
private sector is crucial for the achievement of the SDGs. However, the
committee is concerned that these stakeholders have generally only engaged with
the SDGs to a limited and uneven extent. There needs to be a strategy for
structured engagement and support, particularly celebrating and sharing
achievements and best practice.
Multi-sectoral reference group
7.46
The committee acknowledges the consultation undertaken in preparation
for the first VNR by Australian Government agencies with stakeholders from
state and territory governments, local governments, civil society organisations
and the private sector. The benefits of this consultative process were
emphasised by participants throughout the inquiry. However, the committee is concerned
that there is no mechanism for stakeholders to inform the domestic
implementation of the SDGs on an ongoing basis.
7.47
Therefore, the committee considers that this consultative approach
should be formalised through the establishment of a multi-sectoral reference
group to consult with and advise the IDC. This group should include
representatives from academia, civil society, the private sector, and
marginalised groups including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and
people with disability. The group should advise on the development of the
national implementation plan and future VNR, and enhance partnerships between
government, civil society and the private sector. In addition, the group could
identify opportunities to streamline SDGs reporting requirements with existing
reporting frameworks.
Recommendation 13
7.48
The committee recommends that the Australian Government establish a
representative, multi-sectoral reference group to advise the interdepartmental
committee on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals until
2030.
Partnerships with civil society
7.49
The committee was pleased to hear examples of government and
non-government organisations cooperating to advance the SDGs. For example, DFAT
contributed funding to the civil society-led Australian SDGs Summit in March
2018. There have also been a range of other collaborative events, including,
for instance, the co-hosted SDGs Forum on the environment and energy goals in
2017. The committee recommends that such support continues.
Recommendation 14
7.50
The committee recommends that the Australian Government continue to
support civil society engagement with the Sustainable Development Goals,
including by supporting events, summits and the development and dissemination
of information resources.
Partnerships with the private
sector
7.51
Evidence to the inquiry emphasised that the private sector is already
contributing to the implementation of the SDGs in Australia through their
business practices and investment choices. The committee heard that companies
are eager to expand this contribution, and it is pleased that the Australian
Government is partnering with businesses on the SDGs to a certain extent. For
example, DFAT supports the Global Compact Network Australia, a business-led
network that advances corporate sustainability and the private sector's
contribution to sustainable development. However, the committee is concerned
that many businesses remain unaware of the SDGs.
Guidance on reporting
7.52
The committee is concerned with how to increase awareness without
creating an additional reporting burden for businesses. Throughout the inquiry,
businesses called for guidance on how to measure and report their impact on the
SDGs. Some international and domestic resources are already being developed to
support businesses reporting against the SDGs. Therefore, the committee
recommends that the Australian Government partner with stakeholders in the
private and tertiary sectors to build on these efforts and ensure Australian
businesses have access to guidance on how to report against the SDGs in a
transparent and streamlined way.
7.53
This would also reduce the risk of businesses superficially adopting the
language of the SDGs without making substantive changes or acknowledging their
negative impacts on the SDGs ('SDG-washing').
Recommendation 15
7.54
The committee recommends that the Australian Government partners with
private and tertiary sector stakeholders to develop and disseminate Australian
guidance on reporting against the Sustainable Development Goals in order to
ensure consistent and transparent reporting and minimise the reporting burden
for businesses.
Supporting small and medium
enterprises
7.55
The committee was concerned that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) may
face barriers in engaging with the business opportunities presented by the
SDGs. In particular, the committee seeks to ensure that small and medium
enterprises can access the opportunities without facing prohibitive reporting
requirements. Therefore, the committee suggests that the IDC identify
opportunities to assist SMEs to build capacity to use SDG-related procurement
and reporting systems.
Recommendation 16
7.56
The committee recommends that the Australian Government, through the
interdepartmental committee, identify opportunities to assist small and medium
enterprises to build capacity to access sustainable procurement and reporting
systems.
Other initiatives
7.57
The committee also recommends that the Australian Government consider
how to further support initiatives that promote deeper private sector
engagement with the SDGs. The committee recommends that the Australian
Government consider supporting sustainable development by incorporating the
SDGs throughout public procurement processes. It should also consider promoting
social impact investment by establishing an impact investment institution with
the private and community sectors.
Recommendation 17
7.58
The committee recommends that the Australian Government, through the
interdepartmental committee, assesses opportunities to encourage sustainable
public procurement, impact investment and business practices that support the
Sustainable Development Goals.
Official development assistance
7.59
The SDGs are a global blueprint to end extreme poverty, and the
committee believes that they should guide Australia's international development
program. Australia's existing official development assistance approach and
investment priorities are aligned with the SDGs, particularly with regards to
gender equality, and DFAT has committed to continuing to integrate the SDGs
into DFAT policies.
7.60
The committee supports DFAT's approach, which is to support holistic
action on the SDGs (rather than seeking to prioritise one SDG over another)
while considering the contexts and priorities of countries receiving aid. The
committee also acknowledges efforts to mobilise private sector investment to
support the SDGs through co-funding and other arrangements. Australia needs to
support the implementation of the SDGs in partner countries through adequate
official development assistance.
Recommendation 18
7.61
The committee recommends that the Australian Government continue to
integrate the Sustainable Development Goals throughout the international
development program and prioritise the commitment to leave no one behind.
Senator Alex Gallacher
Chair
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