Leaving no one behind when implementing the 2030 Agenda on sustainable development

The UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are paving the way for a better and more sustainable future for all. They are universally applicable and present a unique opportunity for EU leaders to unfold a comprehensive, forward-looking vision, built on the values of solidarity and human rights, social justice and equality, democracy and participation, entrepreneurship and environmental responsibility.

At the heart of the SDGs is a commitment to ensure that "no one is left behind" in the shift to a sustainable path. The transition to sustainability must be socially fair and inclusive. Yet, for too long the social dimension of sustainability has been largely overlooked.

The EESC has adopted an opinion that aimed to formulate proposals on how to implement the SDGs by addressing social concerns in full synergy with environmental and economic ones.

The public hearing on 27 June gathered various stakeholders from civil society, businesses, youth, academia and public institutions to discuss ways to address the interlinkages between social and environmental inequalities in the EU and to ensure a fair sharing of the costs and benefits of transformation towards a sustainable Europe so that no one is left behind.