National Strategy / Action Plan

There is no National Strategy / Action Plan in Croatia

Performance

There is no Performance in Croatia

Summary

  • The government of the Republic of Croatia took a leading role in coordinating and monitoring the implementation of SDGs by establishing a National Council for Sustainable Development (Jan 2018) at ministerial level, chaired by the prime minister.
  • The National Council for Sustainable Development is expected to provide high-level political and strategic guidance to all state-level stakeholders. A working group consisting of governmental departments will be set up for each SDG; each working group will involve other relevant bodies such as the Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection Council (SDEPC) and stakeholders (academia, private sector, civil society organisations, citizens).
  • The government presented the Voluntary National Review at the HLPF in 2019.

Description of the initiative

    Actors

    Supporting government bodies
    National Economic and Social Council
    Sustainable Development Council
    Supporting government bodies text

    The secretariat of the National Council for Sustainable Development has been placed as an administrative body under the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (Directorate for Multilateral and Global Affairs), while a coordination body dealing with each working group for specific SDGs will be set up in different leading state institutions that are members of the National Council for Sustainable Development.

    Institutional framework

    Lead and supporting government bodies

    The lead body is the National Council for Sustainable Development, chaired by the Prime Minister. The expert and administrative tasks for the Council are carried out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs. A coordination body dealing with each working group for specific SDGs will be set up in different leading state institutions that are members of the National Council for Sustainable Development

    Strategic framework

    The Strategy for Sustainable Development of the Republic of Croatia adopted in 2009 by the Croatian Parliament provides long-term strategic direction in 8 key areas:

    • encouraging population growth in the Republic of Croatia;
    • environment and natural resources;
    • sustainable production and consumption;
    • social and territorial cohesion and justice;
    • energy independence and efficiency;
    • public health;
    • interconnectedness of the Republic of Croatia;
    • protection of the Adriatic Sea, coastal area and islands.

    For each area, a list of contributing institutions and indicators is provided.

    • A new Sustainable Development Strategy is being prepared for implementation in 2021
    Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals

    Mapping analysis carried out by the European Commission showed that SDGs are already mainstreamed in many EU policies. In 2018, the Ministry of Environment and Energy will carry out a mapping analysis of SDGs and indicators with Croatian policies to see where more efforts are required. This analysis will be used as a starting point for a new Strategy for Sustainable Development of the Republic of Croatia (2019). Several policies can be highlighted:

    • In relation to SGD 6, strategic plans for sustainable management of water and sanitation are being implemented.
    • In relation to SDG 7, a fourth generation of Energy efficiency action plans is in place.
    • In relation to SDG 12, the plan for sustainable waste management sets nation-specific targets including reduction of food waste and implementation of 3R (reduce, reuse and recycle), and the national action plan for green public procurement promotes the purchase of green products and services.
    • In relation to SDG 13 on climate action, Croatia regularly submits national reports to the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) and has prepared national strategies for mitigating and adapting to climate change.
    • In relation to SDG 14 on life below water, Croatia established a strategic framework for marine protection to achieve a good environmental status.
    • In relation to SDG 15, the national strategy for nature protection sets out a framework for the implementation of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

    Activities and plans to strengthen environmental protection for sustainable development with regard to SDGs can be found in the Environment Action Plan of the Republic of Croatia for the period 2018 – 2025 which is being prepared for adoption by the Croatian Government.

    Role of civil society

    Involvement in implementation of Sustainable Development Goals

    Many civil society organisations and other stakeholders organise events with the aim of raising public awareness on SDGs. Several civil society organisations are particularly active e.g. ODRAZ, Terra Hub.

    • NGOs in Croatia have established a network working on environmental issues called the "Green Forum" and public authorities use it to communicate with NGOs about various environmental policies.
    • The Croatian Business Council for Sustainable Development promotes sustainable development in the private sector and represents businesses on sustainable development issues.
    • On the framework of the preparation of the VNR the Croatian Chamber of Commerce has created the HGK COR AKCELERATOR platform to raise awareness about the SDGs. On 26 of March it organized its first conference to gain input from stakeholders.  
    Civil society platform for 2030

    There isn't an specific civil society platform for 2030, even though several organisations are working on the SDGs

    SD council or equivalent

    Tasks
    • Adoption of national reports on SDG implementation.
    • Coordination of national statements and organisation of public campaigns and other awareness-raising activities.
    Organisation

    Chaired by the prime minister, the Council includes members of the Cabinet responsible for the Agenda 2030, a representative from the Office of the President of the Republic, as well as heads of the Government Office for Human Rights and National Minorities, the Government Office for the Civil Sector, the Government Office for Gender Equality, and the Croatian Bureau of Statistics.

    High-level meetings will take place annually; extraordinary meetings may also take place when needed. Working-level meetings will take place several times a year.

    The Secretariat of the Council is part of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (Directorate for Multilateral and Global Affairs), while coordination bodies dealing with each working group for specific SDGs have been established in various leading state institutions that are members of the Council.

    The Council can set up working groups for specific topics, which may include representatives from different stakeholders in an advisory capacity, including local and regional government representatives, organised civil society, academia, business and relevant bodies including the SDEPC (Sustainable Development and Environment Protection Council).

    The SDEPC is an advisory body with a long tradition. It is appointed by the Government and the Ministry of the Environment and Energy and it acts as a coordinating and administrative body. Pursuant to the Environmental Protection Act, it consists of members from academia and organised civil society and is expected to engage in the work of the Council.

    Activities

    N/A

    National Economic & Social Council

    Organisation
    • Three-way cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Croatia, the trade unions and the employers' association, to address economic and social issues and problems.
    • It has a Committee for Sustainable Development, Incentives for the Economy, Energy and Climate Change.
    Tasks
    • Promotes the idea of three-tiered cooperation between the Government, trade unions and employers' associations to consider and address economic and social issues
    • Proposes measures to conduct a harmonised economic, social and development policy
    • Provides opinions on legislative proposals in the area of ​​labour, economy and social security
    • Provides opinions on proposals for other laws and regulations of public interest; encourages the conclusion and application of collective agreements
    Activities

    The Committee for Sustainable Development, Incentives for the Economy, Energy and Climate Change has worked in several opinions related to development in the last months. For instance, an opinion on Strategic Planning and Development Management System

    Monitoring & Evaluation

    Performance

    UN SDSN SDG Index Country Profile

    Croatia is ranks 22th in the SDG global index ranking of 2019.

    Indicators

    The Croatian bureau of statistics actively participates in the work of the National Council for Sustainable Development and the UN Statistical Commission, and cooperates with EUROSTAT in developing national indicators. However, there does not seem to be any indicators specifically on sustainable development.

    Voluntary National Report

    Croatia presented its Voluntary National Review in July 2019 at UN High-level Political Forum.