within 5-15 years. The supporting Statement of Progress (MEABC, 2019b) highlights the outcomes and progress to date against key indicators. As these themes and indicators are directly and indirectly linked to specific SDGs, progress on these indicators was utilised to assess the Council’s progress toward the SDGs. Corporate Plan 2019-2023 The Corporate Plan presents five strategic themes (Sustainable Jobs and Tourism; Learning for Life; Our Environment; Community Safety and Cohesion; and Good Health and Wellbeing) and the actions that will shape MEABC’s work and the services that they provide for the 2019-2023 timeframe. This plan is shaped by the previously mentioned NI PfG and RDS documents and adopts the strategic themes that are set out in the Community Plan (2017b). The Corporate Plan Progress Report April 2020- September 2020 provides detailed performance summaries and key achievements for each of the themes, which was utilised to assess the Council’s progress toward the SDGs. Local Development Plan 2019-2032 The strategic objectives of the Local Development Plan (LDP) are linked to the key principles of sustainable development. Under the Planning (NI) Act 2011, MEABC is required to ensure that the LDP is formed with the purpose of furthering sustainable development in the region. Subsequently, an independent Sustainability Appraisal was conducted to ensure thorough integration of social, economic and environmental considerations throughout the LDP.
Localising the Global Goals
While the universal SDGs have been adopted by national governments, action for sustainable development is required across local governments, businesses, communities, non-profit organisations, and all other stakeholders (Stafford-Smith et al., 2017; Uitto, 2019). Consequently, the role of local governments, such as MEABC, is crucial in developing policies, building actions, and stimulating knowledge that contributes to the achievement of the SDGs. It is at the local levels where climate change, loss of biodiversity and other problems associated with the global goals manifest themselves, often with disproportionate impacts on the poorest and most vulnerable communities (Uitto, 2019). Local governments are often in the best position - between national governments and citizens - to ensure that the specific needs of their local population are understood and met, such as delivering key basic services which are essential to achieving the SDGs. As a substantial amount of implementation and monitoring occur at the local level, local governments and communities have a large responsibility in promoting sustainable development (ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability, 2015). Adopting the SDGs at the local level can be a simple process of adjusting existing policies, however, thorough implementation of sustainable development initiatives is often difficult (Reddy, 2016).
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