10 years of the UN Sustainable Development Goals: where does Switzerland stand?
In 2015, every country – including Switzerland – committed to pursuing 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Last month, the Federal Council presented a country report detailing the current status of implementation in Switzerland. While some successes have been achieved, the outlook gives little cause for optimism.
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Many will be familiar with the 17 coloured boxes representing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Adopted at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in New York in September 2015, they came into force on 1 January 2016. The SDGs aim to achieve three overriding objectives by 2030: eradicating extreme poverty, reducing inequality and protecting the planet. Unlike the Millennium Development Goals (2000–2015) that preceded them, the SDGs are aimed at all countries, not just developing nations.
Switzerland and the Sustainable Development Goals
Less known, perhaps, is that Switzerland played an active role in drawing up the 2030 Agenda. It coordinated the global consultation process and was especially involved in the goals relating to water, health, gender equality, peace and an inclusive society, migration, and sustainable production and consumption. The “follow-up and review” section also bears the Swiss imprint. Consequently, Switzerland signed up to the 2030 Agenda and set ambitious national targets.
Country report 2026: progress and challenges
On 13 May 2026, the Federal Council published the country report 2026 (in German). Compiled every four years, the voluntary report presents a mixed picture of implementation of the SDGs: by adopting new strategies, updating the legal foundations and introducing incentives, the federal government has created the framework for positive developments in areas such as the circular economy, renewable energies and gender equality. As things currently stand, however, some of the central goals look difficult to achieve with less than five years to go. This is especially true of sustainable consumption, climate, reducing poverty, affordable housing and combating discrimination. The status of biodiversity is still described as unsatisfactory, owing to the impact of agriculture, infrastructure, invasive species and climate change. Against this backdrop, the SBA published a study last year, setting out ways to fund achievement of the national and international biodiversity targets.
Difficulties ahead as deadline nears
The Federal Council report’s recasting of the SDGs as simply a frame of reference has caused concern among many representatives of business, academia and civil society. While tackling the current geopolitical challenges requires careful attention and substantial resources, for Switzerland to turn its back on the SDGs would be a short-sighted and ultimately expensive move. The Swiss economy – including the banking sector – has already made great efforts to achieve the necessary transformation to a sustainable economy. Further progress along that road requires planning certainty. This is the only way to boost innovation and thus safeguard competitiveness and security of supply. The Swiss Federal Audit Office takes the same line. In its most recent report, it recommends coherent and effective implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy, and the use of effective strategic levers to achieve that.
Even when the SDGs were adopted back in 2015, there were signs that meeting them would be a demanding task. Geopolitical and economic challenges had already dampened the initial optimism. That is why it is especially important to stay on course – up to 2030 and beyond.