In July, the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee launched an inquiry into the domestic implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The 17 SDGs, and their 169 associated targets, were adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2015. These Goals and targets are designed to stimulate action towards the '2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development'.

Sustainable development and sustainability are at the core of our mission, with the Institution’s aims stating that it exists “To promote the role of environmental sciences and sustainable development in higher education, the workplace, the professions and society at large”. We therefore welcomed the opportunity to provide evidence to this inquiry and commend the committee for pushing the SDG agenda forwards in the UK, recognising that the SDGs are universal and not just an issue for developing countries.

In September the IES submitted written evidence to this inquiry. Our submission was extensive, addressing questions of how best to coordinate domestic delivery, how to engage multiple stakeholders, methods for monitoring and reporting on progress, and the need for extensive partnership and collaborative working. We also emphasise the need to embrace the SDGs as an integrated and indivisible framework for delivering sustainable development for both people and the environment. Environmental scientists recognise the importance of systems thinking and a holistic approach - the SDGs represent an opportunity to embed such an approach nationally.

To find out more, download our full submission (pdf).

The IES is also a member of the network, UK Stakeholders for Sustainable Development (UKSSD), who have also submitted evidence to this inquiry. The IES contributed to this response.