Stakeholder engagement and policy integration in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals

The importance of participation and engagement of non-State actors for the realisation of sustainable development has been recognised since the concept of sustainable development was coined. In 1992, Agenda 21, the outcome of the World Conference on Environment and Development (Earth Summit), which introduced the term in the United Nations setting, devoted one out of its three sections to the engagement of different stakeholder groups, stating that “one of the fundamental prerequisites for the achievement of sustainable development is broad public participation in decision-making”. In years since, it has increasingly become clear that inclusive engagement is necessary to effect the type of structural change needed to achieve sustainable development. For example, to achieve sustainable patterns of consumption and production, engaging consumers who embrace sustainability values can help create demand for sustainable services and products and for the innovative business models that can deliver them. The recognition of indispensable components of sustainable societies such as participation, access to information and justice is one of the strongest legacies of the Earth Summit.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions