News.
Jeffrey Sachs Encouraged the Nordic Countries to Inspire the Rest of the World
In the gracious presence of Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, SDG Advocate, SDSN Northern Europe, the global SDSN, Global Utmaning, Sida and the Stockholm School of Economics, invited the public to an evening event regarding SDG implementation in Sweden on the 15 May. The international audience created a good atmosphere of curiosity, seriousness and informality in the aula of Stockholm School of Economics.
The keynote speech by Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, the director of SDSN, and the panel discussion together with Marie Dahllöf, Secretary General Postcode Foundation, Carin Jämtin, Director-General Sida, Mette Morsing, Professor Stockholm School of Economics, and Johan Rockström, Professor of Environmental Science, highlighted concrete examples of the sustainable transformation underway, what is missing and the opportunities for action in Sweden and the Nordic countries.
“We cannot treat the SDGs like a smörgåsbord where we pick and choose our favorites.”*
To think holistically about Agenda 2030 is exactly what we at SDSN Northern Europe promotes through our Solution Initiative: SGD Impact Assessment Tool.
“The Nordic countries are top-ranked on the SDG Index. Continue your leadership to inspire the rest of the world.“**
Even if the Nordic countries are top-ranked on the SDG Index, several of the panelists pointed out the challenges ahead. We are failing on SDG 13: Climate, SDG 14: Oceans and SDG 15: Biodiversity. These are among the toughest goals to achieve. Further, the Nordic countries should seriously account for the whole supply and value chain if we want to reach SDG 12 globally.
*Johan Rockström, Professor of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, and Executive Director, Stockholm Resilience Centre. Part of the Swedish Delegation for the 2030 Agenda.
**Jeffrey D. Sachs, Director, SDSN, and Director, Center for Sustainable Development, Columbia University, USA.
