Local Context

United Kingdom’s Voluntary National Review In 2019, NI contributed to the UK’s Voluntary National Reviewon progress towards the goals (HM Government, 2019). The report highlighted NI’srecent incorporation ofthe three dimensions of sustainable development - economic, social and environmental - into the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) strategic plans(Khussamov, 2020), with the intention for the principles of sustainable development to be embedded in the NI Executive’s highest-level strategy, the draft Programme for Government (PfG)(European Sustainable Development Network, 2020).However, the report confirmed the underwhelming progress of NI, stating that “while progress has been made in many areas, there is still much to do and challenges to overcome”. Monitoring progress to the draft PfG is done through the Outcomes Delivery Plan which consists of 12 outcomes and 49 indicators in key areas of societal and economic wellbeing (Executive OfficeNI, 2019).The Voluntary National Reviewhighlights thatlinkages established between the Outcomes Delivery Plan and the Global Goals may “provide focus moving forward” (HM Government, 2019).

Regional Development Strategy 2035 The Regional Development Strategy(RDS) 2035, “Building a Better Future”, was published in 2012 andaims to protect and enhance the environment for the benefit of current andfuture generations(MEABC, 2019). The RDSacts asthe government’s spatial strategy for NI up to 2035 andseeks to influence the future distribution of development in NIwith the aim of achieving sustainable development and social cohesion.

Sustainable Development Strategy The government’s Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS), “Everyone’s Involved”, was published in 2010andaims to meet twooverarching guiding principles: living within environmental limitsand ensuring a strong, healthy, just and equalsociety. It states that these principles will be met througha sustainable economy, goodgovernance, sound science and promoting opportunity and innovation(MEABC, 2019). The aim of the SDSis to identify and develop actions on the part of government that willsteer development toward social, economic and environmental sustainability. Under section 25 of the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006, Government Departments and District Councils have a statutory duty to promote the achievement of sustainable development in the exercise of their functions

MEABC’s visonfor the borough is “a strong, vibrant, safe and inclusive community, where people work together to improve the quality of life for all” (MEABC, 2017). This section discusses existing local commitments to sustainable developmentand the SDGs, which areapparentin MEABC’splansand policies:

Putting People First Community Plan 2017-2032 MEA Community Plan(2017b), coveringthe period from 2017 to 2032, is an ambitious blueprint which aims to improve the wellbeing of citizens and all aspects of lifein the Borough. The plan was createdin partnership with a wide range of stakeholders in the boroughfrom thepublic, private and voluntarysectors (MEABC,2017b). Thefivekey themes of thisplan are as follows: Sustainable Jobs and Tourism; Learning for Life; Our Environment; Community Safety and Cohesion; and Good Health and Wellbeing.Each themepresents interrelationships between themand comprises of strategic prioritiesandcorresponding outcomes and actions.Provided below is a descriptionthe themesand strategic priorities,andtheircorrelation to specificSDGs:

• The Sustainable Jobs and TourismThemeconsist offive strategic priorities for the theme are as follows: Enterprise, entrepreneurship,and innovation; Employment and skills;

Raising our tourism potential; Infrastructure; and Inclusion and wellbeing. Thistheme is directly linked to progress toward SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and indirectlyaidsSDG 1: No Poverty and SDG9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.

• The Learning for LifeThemeconsists ofthreestrategic priorities for the theme are as follows: Qualifications of the working age population; Inequalities in education; and

Delivering the skills for future economic development. Thistheme is directly linked to progress toward SDG 4: Quality Education and indirectly aids progress to SDG 1: No

Poverty.

• The OurEnvironmentThemeconsist ofthree strategic priorities for the theme are as follows: Assets; Attitudes; and Access. Thistheme is directly linked to progress toward

SDG 14: Life Below Water; SDG 15: Life on Land; SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and

Production.

• The Community Safety and CohesionThemeconsist ofthree strategic priorities for the theme are as follows: Vulnerable people; Vulnerable places; and Those most at risk of creating crime. This theme is directly linked to progress toward SDG 16: Peace and

Justice Strong Institutions.

• The Good Health and Wellbeing Themeconsists ofthree strategic priorities for the theme are as follows: Prevention and early intervention; Health and work; Healthy places and lifestyles; Responding to an ageing society; and Deprivation and health. This theme is directly linked to progress toward SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing and indirectly aids progress toward SDG 1: No Poverty

In order to progress the implementation and delivery of these actions, 24 actions were identified as short-term which would be,where possible, delivered within two years. The remaining 31 actions were considered to be medium and long-term and wouldbe delivered