Sustainable Development Goals as a Compass for Transformation

In a set of indicators for climate and energy policy, both the sectors households, transport, industry, services and energy supply and all three dimensions of sustainable development – ecology, economy and social – were taken into account. An assessment for nine European countries – including Austria – showed that positive developments are currently driven primarily by the ecological dimension, for example by the expansion of renewable energies.

On the other hand, there has been little progress in the economic dimension – e.g. energy efficiency – and social aspects. Therefore, a credible political commitment, stable framework conditions, as well as ambitious policy measures on the national level are needed to achieve the SDGs. But this also requires a transparent and an evidence-based discussion about conflicting goals and social costs, Kletzan-Slamanig said in her presentation.