Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were defined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and adopted in September 2015 by UN member states. The implementation of 17 SDGs (and the related 169 tasks) focuses on ensuring decent lives, worldwide peace and economic development based on a rational exploitation of the planet’s natural resources.
Tracking the progress in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda on a world scale is possible thanks to a set of 250 global indicators designed by the UN to monitor the 17 SDGs. At present, Polish official statistics provides data for nearly 70% of the SDG indicators listed by the UN (sdg.gov.pl/en).
Due to the wide scope of the SDGs, not all SDG measures are possible to obtain based on traditional data sources (e.g. surveys, reporting, censuses, registers). In order to fill in any information gaps, seeking new data sources for SDG indicators is a must. Statistics Poland conducts research and development work in this regard using non-traditional methods and new methodological approaches.
In 2023, using satellite remote sensing and integrating various data sources, Statistics Poland developed the first experimental SDG indicators to evaluate sustainable development. These indicators monitor:
• access to roads in rural areas (Goal 9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure),
• convenient access to public transport (Goal 11. Sustainable cities and communities),
• access to open public areas (Goal 11. Sustainable cities and communities),
• management of urban land (Goal 11. Sustainable cities and communities).
Work is underway to make further experimental SDG indicators available.
A new tool for sharing experimental SDG statistics is being developed in response to the growing demand for SDG data that goes beyond the standard scope of information offered by statistics.
To meet the recipients’ expectations, the experimental SDG statistics website contains:
• innovative SDG indicators in new cross sections,
• interactive visualisations in the form of maps and figures,
• interpretation, meaning and context for the new measures,
• data necessary for evidence-based decision-making.
The tool's information resources and functionalities will be further developed – stay tuned to learn more about experimental SDG statistics.