Coalition 2030, an alliance of leading civil society groups and trade unions, has called on Government to use the upcoming budget to follow through on its commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  The call comes as Ireland celebrates SDG Week (19-28 September), which spotlights the work of an array of groups, organisations, businesses and educational institutions whose initiatives are advancing the sustainable development goals.

The SDGs are a set of global targets that grew from the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and were adopted by member countries in September 2015 to achieve a better, more sustainable future for all. The goals address critical global challenges like world hunger, gender inequality and climate change, while fostering economic development and protecting natural resources. The 17 SDGs are:

1. No Poverty
2. Zero Hunger
3. Good Health and Wellbeing
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, innovation and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life Below Water
15. Life On Land
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
17. Partnerships for the Goals

Ireland’s SDG Week is part of a broader European Sustainable Development Week, promoting the SDGs across the continent through local and national events. It also feeds into Global Goals Week, a movement of governments and civic actors held to coincide with the UN General Assembly where international leaders will assess progress on the 2030 Agenda.

While there have been some improvements in Ireland’s economic and social indicators, the most recent data show that considerable effort will be required if we are to meet our SDG targets for 2030. The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network report for 2025 ranked Ireland 31st out of 167 comparable countries in its progress towards the sustainable development goals, a drop of 3 places on 2024.

Coalition 2030 Coordinator, David Rossiter said: “This year’s Sustainable Development Goals Week comes at a critical time, with just five years remaining to achieve the 2030 Agenda. This administration reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to the social development goals by stating in its programme for government that it would ‘implement a Whole-of-Government Strategy to fully integrate the SDGs into national policies and initiatives, ensuring that each goal is actively pursued across all levels of government’. Budget 2026 is their opportunity to back their words up with action. Analysis by our member organisation, Social Justice Ireland, shows how fiscal policy has previously reduced income inequality and brought about a decrease in the numbers at risk of poverty, improving Ireland’s rating on SDG 1 ‘No Poverty’ and SDG 10 ‘Reduced Inequalities’, indicating the impact financial measures can have on social progress. 

“Coalition 2030 would urge Government to use the upcoming budget to accelerate action by investing in the Sustainable Development Goals, especially across the 40% of indicators that have been worsening like climate action, responsible production, the gender wage gap and the elderly poverty rate. In their Budget announcements, we would like the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure to make explicit how each major spending line supports Ireland’s SDG targets and indicators, both to provide transparency and accountability to Irish citizens by showing how public resources deliver on international commitments, and also to demonstrate leadership on the global stage, particularly as world leaders meet at the UN General Assembly to discuss the future of the 2030 Agenda. If Ireland is to meet its international commitments and secure a healthier, more prosperous and sustainable future for all of its citizens, Budget 2030 must be a Budget for the Global Goals.”