Značaj strateškog pristupa evropske unije za napredak u ostvarivanju ciljeva održivog razvoja

Abstract

Sustainable development is a process with continuous changes in the relationships between social, economic, and natural systems and processes. This is a long-term process and requires carefully guided and gradual development policies, as the complex challenges faced by humanity on a global level. Some of the contemporary challenges of sustainable development include: raising the level of ecological awareness of people, increasing responsibility, applying economic instruments and innovative solutions to environmental protection issues, etc. Therefore, a strategic approach to sustainable development and environmental protection is necessary. By studying initiatives and achieved results that the EU has aimed in the previous period, viewed through the prism of sustainability, climate action, and the fight against poverty, this paper highlights significant steps that the EU has taken in these key areas, but also key challenges in the future. The paper employs statistical data analysis from the Sustainable Development Goals Report to assess the ten-year progress of EU countries. The obtained results indicate that all EU-27 have shown an increase in the Sustainable Development Index in the period 2012/2022. Based on the analysis of achieved results, the aim of the paper is to highlight significant successes, but also to identify areas where additional efforts should be invested and attention should be directed in future EU sustainable initiatives.