Making a Global Framework Local : Challenges and Opportunities in Agenda 2030 Localization

Abstract: By adopting the United Nations Agenda 2030 and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals, a common path towards a sustainable world is accepted. The Agenda 2030 framework strives towards global sustainability by including all sustainability dimensions. Agenda 2030 reaches worldwide and to all authority levels. To reach the goals, implementation on the local level is central, but the process, which is called localization, is however not always simple. Since the global prerequisites and contexts vary, the implementation process will face different obstacles and challenges, yet the different nations will also see different opportunities. This study aims to examine municipality officials' views on the local implementation of the climate and environmental related goals of Agenda 2030 in order to create a deeper understanding of what makes challenges and opportunities in the process. The analysis is based on focus group interviews in three Swedish municipalities within the same county. Patterns in similar challenges and opportunities for Agenda 2030 localization are identified between the municipalities studied. A general challenge is seen in the complexity of the goals in their unity, by contrast an opportunity is seen within the own interpretation of the Agenda 2030 targets. Adopting the agenda to already existing policies are considered hard as well as the organization structure of municipalities. Yet, opportunities are seen within the local contributions to goal achievement and the use of workforce reserved for the implementation process. No general template for Agenda 2030 implementation can be identified - the process needs to be locally interpreted and adapted.