Initial Consultation on the second SDG National Implementation Plan

Agenda 2030 encourages countries to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into planning and policy, on both a national and international level. As a whole-of-government initiative overseen by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, each Minister has responsibility for implementing individual SDG targets related to their functions.

A fundamental feature of Agenda 2030 is the inclusive and active voice stakeholders had in both the negotiation and adoption of the Agenda. Achieving sustainable development, and particularly the targets and commitments set out in the 17 SDGs, will require not only action by government but all individuals across society.

Feedback received from the development of the first National Implementation Plan was that stakeholders would like meaningful opportunity to input at an early stage in the development of the second Implementation Plan. Taking this feedback on board, an initial consultation phase was undertaken which sought feedback on the performance of the First National Implementation Plan, and recommendations on how we can further SDG National Implementation from 2022 to 2024.

The overall consultation process was open for a period of 9 weeks and closed on the 10 September 2021.

The initial consultation process was launched on the 9 July 2021 and ran until the 10 September. In order to reach a wide range of stakeholders the consultation process consisted of three different strands:

• Market Research
• Online Public Consultation
• National and Local Government surveys

Over 5,000 responses were received, and this feedback directly informed the design and structure of the second National Implementation Plan.

This consultation was conducted in line with strict data protection rules, and for this reason is open only to those over 16. Information on how we safeguard respondents aged 16-18 years is available on gov.ie.

Responses to this consultation are subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (FOI), Access to Information on the Environment Regulations 2007-2014 (AIE) and the Data Protection Act 2018. The Department may publish the contents of all submissions received to this consultation on its website, the Department will redact all personal data prior to publication.