The Sustainable Development Report 2024: A Global Overview and Italy's Commitment to the 2030 Agenda

by Oliviero Casale

The Sustainable Development Report 2024, prepared by the SDG Transformation Center in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Solutions Network Switzerland SDSN , provides a detailed overview of global progress towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This report highlights the current situation, major challenges, and opportunities to advance towards a sustainable future.

The Global Situation

The 2024 report presents several key conclusions about the global situation:

1. Slow Progress in Achieving Goals: Only 16% of the SDG targets are on track to be met by 2030, while 84% show limited progress or even regressions. In particular, goals related to hunger (SDG 2), sustainable cities (SDG 11), life below water (SDG 14), life on land (SDG 15), and peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16) are significantly off track.
2. Regional Disparities: Nordic countries continue to lead the SDG rankings, with Finland at the top, followed by Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and France. However, even these countries face significant challenges. The poorest and most vulnerable nations, including Small Island Developing States (SIDS), show a widening gap compared to the global average.
3. Financial Challenges for Sustainable Development: Reforming the global financial architecture is crucial. Low-income countries (LICs) and lower-middle-income countries (LMICs) need access to affordable long-term capital to invest at scale and achieve sustainable development goals.
4. Need for Global Cooperation: Multilateral cooperation is essential to address global challenges. Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Uruguay, Mauritius, and the Maldives are the countries most committed to UN-based multilateralism, while the United States ranks last.
5. Food and Land System Crisis: Greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural and forestry sectors account for nearly a quarter of annual global emissions. The report emphasizes the need to dramatically change food and land-use systems to achieve sustainability.

Italy's Position

In this complex global context, Italy has shown significant commitment to the 2030 Agenda, with varying results across different goals.

Overall Performance

Italy ranks 23rd out of 167 countries in the SDG Index, with an overall score of 77.2, slightly below the OECD average of 79.3. This score reflects both successes and challenges Italy faces in achieving the SDGs.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Italy performs well in industry, innovation, and infrastructure. Rural road coverage is almost complete (99.8%), and internet penetration is high (85.1%), indicating good digital infrastructure. However, there is still a significant gap in internet access between different income groups.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Inequalities remain a challenge for Italy. The Gini coefficient is 35.2, indicating moderately unequal income distribution. The poverty rate among the elderly is 11.7%, suggesting the need for targeted social policies.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Italy shows good results in urban sustainability. The average annual PM2.5 concentration is 16.3 μg/m3, and many people live near essential services. However, 20.6% of the urban population is burdened by rent costs, indicating an issue with housing affordability.

SDG 13: Climate Action

Italy faces significant challenges in climate action. CO2 emissions per capita are high (5.7 tons), and the ecological footprint of imports is concerning (4.6 tons per capita).

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Italy has achieved complete coverage in access to electricity and clean cooking fuels. However, the share of renewable energy is only 13.2%, indicating the need to accelerate the energy transition.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Italy has made significant progress towards many SDGs, demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainable development. However, critical areas require further efforts, particularly in social inequalities, housing affordability, and climate action. Greater investments in renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, and inclusive social policies will be crucial to further improve Italy's position and contribute effectively to the global goals of the 2030 Agenda.

Italy must continue to promote integrated and coordinated policies that simultaneously address economic, social, and environmental challenges, ensuring sustainable and inclusive progress for all its citizens.