The State of the Voluntary Local Reviews 2024: STRENGTHENING THE LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2030 AGENDA
In its longstanding commitment to supporting the effective localisation of the SDGs, IGES has been publishing “The State of the Voluntary Local Reviews” report series since 2020. This series aims to help local governments better understand the challenges and opportunities in accelerating their progress in implementing the SDGs and conducting VLRs.
The latest edition, “The State of the Voluntary Local Reviews 2024 Report: Strengthening the Local Implementation of the 2030 Agenda,” released in July 2024, analyses 48 VLR reports published in 2023 by local and regional governments. The report provides in-depth insights into six cities, showcasing their unique approaches to implementing the SDGs.
This special webpage offers the report’s contents along with video messages from UNESCAP and representatives from Buenos Aires, Rottenburg am Neckar, Tokyo and Vantaa.
Summary
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a blueprint for achieving social, economic and environmental sustainability. However, at the midpoint of its implementation period (which runs from 2015 to 2030), progress has been insufficient due to crises such as climate-related disasters,the COVID-19 pandemic, armed conflicts and the cost-of-living crisis. Rather than discouraging action, this should serve as a rallying call to intensify efforts. In this context, the actions of local and regional governments (LRGs) are crucial. Responsible for implementing an estimated two-thirds of the SDG targets, LRGs enjoy a unique vantage point to address multiple challenges with transformative solutions. Although not formally recognised in the implementation or in the follow-up and review architecture of the 2030 Agenda, LRGs have actively engaged with the SDGs, notably through Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) since 2018. VLRs have been instrumental in supporting efforts by LRGs, from monitoring and evaluating progress to enhancing policy integration, and thus playing an important role in global sustainable development efforts.
Marking the fifth edition of the State of the Voluntary Local Review series, initiated by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) in 2020, this report continues to shed light on critical aspects of local sustainability efforts. Over the years, this annual series has showcased both the successes and ongoing challenges faced by LRGs in advancing the 2030 Agenda through VLRs. This fifth edition focuses on 48 VLR reports published in 2023 by LRGs. It first provides an overview of the trends of the VLR movement in 2023, then examines two key themes: approaches to follow-up and review (FUR), and the local implementation of the SDGs. Initially, the report examines the selection of SDGs in VLRs and the approaches followed for their review— outcome-based, focusing on quantitative assessments of progress, and process-oriented, examining implemented actions. It then zooms in on six selected cases—Agadir, Buenos Aires, Fatih, Rottenburg am Neckar, Tokyo and Vantaa—to better understand the inner mechanisms of locally implementing the SDGs.
Key trends identified among the 48 VLR reports published in 2023 include the majority of the VLR reports being from municipal governments (35), with the highest regional representation from Europe (17) and Asia (12). Importantly, 2023 saw the largest number of VLRs from Africa in a single year (7). The report also identifies the general preference for process-oriented reviews over outcome-based reviews. Among the reviewed Goals, SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) is the most frequently addressed, while SDG 14 (Life Below Water) is the least reviewed. This analysis indicates a tendency for cities to cherry-pick SDGs that align closely with their local priorities and strengths. When examining how the six selected cases are implementing the 2030 Agenda, a common characteristic shared by them is their strategic, localised approach to the Global Goals. These cities integrate the SDGs into their local contexts through comprehensive plans and strategies, ensuring that the Goals are met through tailored local actions. They also employ participatory approaches, involving a wide range of stakeholders in planning and implementation.
This report concludes that accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda requires that local and regional governments are empowered to continue their engagement with the SDGs. To achieve this, LRGs must be equipped with enhanced resources—including access to finance, capacity building and human resources. Embedding VLRs into local governance structures and strategic planning is vital for improving policy integration, follow-up and review, and stakeholder engagement. Furthermore, to ensure local actions deliver tangible results, LRGs should continue to innovate and scale up successful initiatives. Reinforcing the community of practice around VLRs is crucial, as it enables LRGs to learn from each other and promotes inclusive and effective sustainability initiatives.
Index
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1. INTRODUCTION 1
- 1.1. Falling Behind on Implementing the 2030 Agenda: Progress at its midpoint 1
- 1.2. Local Action to Rescue People and Planet 2
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2. METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY 4
- 2.1. Methodology and Case Selection 4
- 2.2. Themes of Analysis and Methodology 4
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3. OVERVIEW OF THE VLRS OF 2023 7
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4. APPROACHES TO REVIEW AND GOAL SELECTION 11
- 4.1. Approaches to Review 11
- 4.2. Selecting SDGs 14
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5. ACCELERATING THE LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2030 AGENDA 19
- 5.1. Agadir 19
- 5.2. Buenos Aires 20
- 5.3. Fatih 22
- 5.4. Rottenburg am Neckar 24
- 5.5. Tokyo 26
- 5.6. Vantaa 28
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6. CONCLUSIONS AND WAY FORWARD
ANALYSIS OF THE 2023 GROUP OF VLRS
Video messages
Omar SIDDIQUE
Lead, SDG Localization, Sustainable Urban Development Section, UNESCAP
Tomonori HIROIKE
Director for Planning and Coordination, Planning and Coordination Division, Office of the Governor for Policy Planning, Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Stephan NEHER
Lord Mayor, Municipality of Rottenburg am Neckar
Ana CIUTI
Undersecretary of International Relations of the Buenos Aires City Government
Lotta Alajoki
Sustainability Specialist, City of Vantaa
