UN Sustainable Development Goals information: FOI release

Information requested

1. An account of why the Scottish Government has elected to take and continue to hold the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in their entirety, as a complete authority on the good ends for Scotland as per Kate Forbes’ comments in the FPAC debate here: 

https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/meeting-of-the-parliament-january-8-2025

2. The date when the Scottish Government elected to take the UN Sustainable Development Goals as the basis for what they believe Scotland ought to be aiming for overall.

3. The date when the Scottish Government elected to base the National Performance Framework on the UN Sustainable Development Goals

4. An account of whether the Scottish Government has ever consulted the public specifically on the adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Goals as Scotland’s primary national objectives, and if so, when, how, and what were the outcomes?

Response

The answer to your question is In 2015, the Former First Minister committed Scotland to the Global Goals and pledged that Scotland would lead the way to deliver a more equal, more just world. In signing Scotland up to the Sustainable Development Goals - also known as the SDGs or the Global Goals - the Scottish Government made a bold statement of intent not just to the people of Scotland but to the world.

The SDGs require local adaptation, meaning that they should help foster and enrich existing local and national plans or programmes, helping to identify any gaps and lend momentum. Scotland’s National Performance Framework is the main mechanism through which the Government are localising and implementing the SDGs in Scotland. The NPF is Scotland’s wellbeing framework, and the SDGs share the same aims contained in this: to encourage transformational social, economic and environmental change to achieve increased wellbeing and a more peaceful and prosperous future, recognising our assets and their relevance to future generations as well as our use and distribution of resources. The National Performance Framework (NPF) - is the Scottish Government’s framework for public policy in Scotland. The NPF provides a way to hold the Scottish Government to account against its own stated aims, and to scrutinise whether the underlying policy and measures are joined up. The Deputy First Minister noted that the National Performance Framework is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals on 8 January 2025 in the Scottish Parliament debate on the review of the national outcomes, and in the Scottish Government response to Finance and Public Administration Committee report Report on NPF Review of National Outcomes SG response of 14 January 2025 | Scottish Parliament Website. The link between the NPF and the UN SDGs is well publicised and more information can be found at Scotland and the sustainable development goals: a national review to drive action - gov.scot

The National Outcomes are underpinned by statute by the introduction of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 which places a duty on public authorities to have regard to the National Outcomes in carrying out their functions. A review of the National Outcomes is required by Part 1 Section 2 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. The Act states that Scottish Ministers may review the National Outcomes at any time, but must begin the review before the expiry of the period of 5 years beginning with the date on which the National Outcomes were published.

The most recent review in 2022 also looked at alignment of SDGs and parliament has scrutinised this report and made its recommendations. The Deputy First Minister also noted in her 14th January 2025 letter in response to the Finance and Public Administration Committee report, “We now have a great opportunity to rethink and reform the National Performance Framework. By taking the time to do this properly, I hope we can support the development and implementation of a stronger, more strategic and impactful framework that more accurately reflects Scotland’s context and circumstances.”

The Scottish Government has not consulted the public specifically on the “adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Goals as Scotland’s primary national objectives” however, the first review of the National Outcomes, which concluded in 2018, involved an extensive consultation process. With delivery partners, Carnegie UK Trust and Oxfam Scotland, the Scottish Government held events involving individuals from a cross-section of Scottish society, expert stakeholders, and the Children’s Parliament. Over 200 organisations in Scotland were involved in conversations and online responses as the new framework was developed. The Carnegie Trust and Oxfam Scotland held street stalls in local communities to solicit views and opinions from members of the public. The Scottish Government also drew upon earlier responses to the fairer Scotland and Healthier Scotland consultations.

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