DN Debate. Sustainable development should become a horizontal objective for all policies

It is necessary with the conversion and vigorous action in all countries to achieve the objectives of Agenda 2030. The global development is complex. Poverty is on the decline, more children go to school and the depletion of the ozone layer has been halted. At the same time increases the number of hungry for the first time in a decade, millions of people are on the run and the climate change issue is becoming increasingly acute. The UN's Agenda 2030 shows that the global societal challenges are intertwined. Therefore, they must also be managed in a cohesive way.

Sweden performs well in international comparisons relating to sustainable development. The welfare state and the broad political consensus about climate policy making is that the potential for a shift in Sweden is relatively good. At the same time, we face significant challenges with unsustainable patterns of consumption, health inequalities and lack of integration. Statistics sweden (SCB) believes that Sweden meets only about 20 per cent of the global indicators for the Agenda 2030.

We have national goals, legislation, strategies and action plans in various policy areas, but there is gap between goals and results. The measures taken are not enough. The delegation's proposal, therefore, aims to bring better coordinated the goals and the strengthening of the conditions so that decisions and actions contribute to a sustainable development.

Objectives, strategies and instruments are often developed separately within different fields. It allows synergies or trade-offs can easily be overlooked. Agenda 2030 shows that this approach does not work in the long run. Sustainable development must be the overarching goal for all policies and, therefore, be integrated into regular processes. The state budget process, management policy, myndighetsstyrningen and the inquiry system should be organised in order to promote a sustainable development.

the Delegation, therefore, proposes a riksdagsbundet national objectives of Agenda 2030-the work, an adjustment of the management objective and to work with the implementation of the agenda are reported collected in the budget bill.

statistics SWEDEN believes that Sweden only meets about 20 percent of the global indicators for the Agenda 2030.

the Question of sustainability requirements in public procurement has been one of the most recurrent in our dialogues with both the representatives of the outdoor activities with representatives of the business community. The picture that emerged is that in the small extent to which the requirements of sustainability in connection with public procurement. Public procurement can and should be used to influence in a sustainable direction.

A large part of the responsibility for important measures in health care, education, social welfare, and urban planning is located on the municipalities and county councils also have the proximity to citizens. It therefore proposes the delegation, inter alia, that the government included a handshake with the Swedish association of local authorities and regions (SALAR). The need for a common manifesto for the implementation of the agenda. The government should at the same time clarifying responsibility for sustainable development within regional development efforts.

A well-functioning economy with sustainable business models is a prerequisite for society's growth, employment and innovation and to provide society with the goods and services needed for the conversion. It requires in many cases extensive and long-term investments from both private and public actors. The government must therefore ensure the long-term rules of the game over the terms of office to allow investment that promotes sustainable development.

Many Swedish companies are already far ahead in terms of international guidelines on sustainability. In order to further strengthen and facilitate this work it is important with the predictable rules that facilitate long-term investment, but also to investigate the strengthening of national legislation on business and human rights.

The Swedish labour market model provides stability and good economic and social conditions for the workers and employers in Sweden. The social partners are important in the transition to a sustainable society. At the same time, can the ambition of the social partners be increased in order to contribute to environmentally sustainable development. For example, it can be through the developed transition agreement and the specific agreements or memoranda of understanding that stimulate environmental sustainability.

Civil society organisations are a cornerstone of a sustainable society. A question that repeatedly raised is the uncertainty regarding the financing of their activities. It is therefore important that contributions are long-term. In many countries civil society is under threat. The government should therefore stand up for a free and vibrant civil society and the right to organize.

the Government should in the coming forskningspropositioner reward challenge-driven research and innovation contribute to solutions to sustainability challenges. The need for transformative changes is large in many sectors, which requires a proactive and evidence-based decision making. Agenda 2030 also shows how the different societal challenges belong together. This requires increased interdisciplinary competence, which should be rewarded to a greater extent than today.

Partnerships and joint responsibility are important factors in order to achieve the objectives. Therefore, we propose that an Agenda 2030-committee appointed by the government. It should evaluate the work and make proposals on new measures until the year 2030. To work across sectoral boundaries requires a broad representation in the committee. Not least children and young people are key actors to drive the work forward. We also suggest national and regional dialogue forums in order to provide anchoring at all levels, in line with the agenda's message that no one should be left outside.

the Government has said that Sweden should be a leader in the implementation of Agenda 2030. Sweden's good starting position, both obliges and makes possible. A transformation is needed and time is short. An increased tempo in the shift provide benefits to organisations and individuals both in and outside Sweden. If all players contribute, we can turn the world's challenge to the world's opportunity.