Localizing SDG data and indicators, studying the science-policy interface in cities and regions
Consult an interactive map of the SDG Index in Brazilian cities. Explore the map
Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres has stated that “cities are where the climate battle will largely be won or lost.” Attaining the SDGs and Paris Agreement goals requires more commitment to subnational and urban SDG financing along with deeper integration of the SDGs into local strategies, policies, targeted measures, and monitoring and governance systems. Investments must be aligned with subnational policies informed by science.
Building on the SDSN’s years of work on sustainable cities and regions, the SDG Transformation Center is partnering with local governments and other stakeholders to produce robust research, data and science to accelerate SDG transformation at the subnational level. Our work focuses on:
We support SDSN’s involvement in the Global Commission for Urban SDG Finance, which gathers insights from climate and finance experts, mayors and practitioners to develop actionable recommendations and innovative policies to mobilize finance for achieving SDGs in cities.
In partnership with the OECD and other organizations, we conduct case studies, comparative policy tracking work and monitoring. Furthermore, we assess spillovers in cities, in particular understanding and quantifying the impacts of local consumption of goods and services produced elsewhere. We investigate new sources of geospatial data and its application for understanding and comparing SDG attainment in cities. We also study how cities and regions build partnerships with universities and engage with science in the policymaking process.
Through our policy papers, data visualizations, indices and case studies, we seek to inform the development of evidence-based strategies for cities and regions and to serve as a platform for peer-to-peer learning among them.
Policy Paper
This policy paper presents the results of a survey jointly conducted by the OECD, the UN SDSN and the European Committee of the Regions on how to localize the SDGs in a changing international landscape marked by disasters and shocks. Findings show declining standards of living in many cities and regions. The paper presents possible strategies to further leverage the SDGs to design sustainable urban and regional development policies.
Report
Dashboard
Monitoring the Performance of the SDGs at the State Level
Report
Dashboard
The Municipal Atlas of the Sustainable Development Goals in Bolivia 2020 presents Bolivia's progress on the SDGs at the country, departmental, and municipal level. The report was produced by SDSN Bolivia in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) team in Paris as well as several other organizations.
Andersen, L. E., Canelas, S., Gonzales, A., Peñaranda, L. (2020) Atlas municipal de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible en Bolivia 2020. La Paz: Universidad Privada Boliviana, SDSN Bolivia
Report
The 2019 US Cities Sustainable Development Report is SDSN’s third city-level report ranking 105 US cities on progress towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 (SDGs). The results show that there will be significant work to do across the board if the SDGs are to be achieved by 2030, as cities on average scored only 48.9%.
Lynch, A., LoPresti, A., Fox, C. (2019): The 2019 US Cities Sustainable Development Report. New York: Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).
Learn more about SDSN's reports, publications and data visualizations in our library
