Europe Sustainable Development Report 2023/24

The fifth edition of the Europe Sustainable Development Report 2023/24 (ESDR) was officially presented yesterday in Paris, France. The report reveals the need for decisive action in the EU to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and avoid reaching dangerous environmental and social ‘tipping points’.

ESDR highlights that at the current rate, a third of the Goals will not be met by the EU by 2030, with significant differences across European countries, the largest of which are seen in Southern Europe and Central and Eastern Europe.

For the fourth consecutive year, Finland ranks first in the SDG index. Bulgaria occupies the 33rd position with 59.5 points out of a possible 100, against the EU average of 72.0. Only Turkey is behind our country.

Bulgaria is also one of the countries where the achievement of the Global Goals faces significant challenges. According to the ESDR, the achievement of Goals 4, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 15 are defined as major challenges for Bulgaria, and the remaining 11 Goals – as significant challenges. Currently, only Goal 17 (Global Partnerships for Sustainable Development) currently appears achievable.

Progress is also reported on targets 1, 2, 3, 9, 11 and 14, as such is also noted on a number of sub-targets, such as the achievement of Target 3 regarding Population with good or very good perceived health (% of the population of 16 or over), Newly registered cases of tuberculosis (per 100,000 population), Suicide rate (per 100,000 population) and Under-5 mortality (per 1,000 live births).

An unpleasant impression is made by the regression in relation to the achievement of Goal 10 (Reduction of inequalities), as a decrease is noticed both in relation to the Gini coefficient and in relation to the Palma ratio.

In addition to the report, a group of over 200 academics, experts and practitioners from 25 European countries published yesterday a joint “Call to Action” aimed at political parties and the future leadership of the EU to lay the foundations for a new European deal for the future with ten priority actions to be taken.