#USAFORSDGS

Local Government Leadership on the SDGs

Across the United States, city, regional, and state governments of all sizes are using the SDGs as a common language to unite efforts and build resilient, inclusive communities for all. They are tailoring the SDGs to fit their communities’ needs, creating new solutions and building partnerships to unite the work of students, businesses, and community leaders around sustainable development.

Leadership Spotlight

Los Angeles analyzes data to create smarter policies for those in need.

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Orlando advances equity and sustainability across its operations to build a 21st-century city.

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Phoenix rallies local officials and its most global management school around the SDGs.

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Local Examples

Local governments are at the heart of American leadership on the SDGs through their innovation, policies, and action. Here are a few examples of how they are acting locally to contribute to global progress.

Hawaii

Hawaii is the first U.S. state to assess its progress on the SDGs and is a leader in harnessing the power of public-private partnerships. At the center of this work is Hawaii Green Growth Local2030 Hub, which engages community members around sustainable development. The Aloha+ Dashboard tracks Hawaii’s progress on the SDGs and is organized into six priority areas using community-driven metrics. Hawaii is sharing this model with islands around the world through the Local2030 Islands Network.

Hawaii Voluntary Local Review 2020 >>

Hawaii Green Growth Local2030 Hub >>

Aloha+ Challenge Dashboard >>

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a leader in localizing the SDGs and using data to understand where and for which issues people are getting left behind. The city’s SDG dashboard breaks apart data to track progress by demographic characteristics and location. The city also developed an SDG Activities Index, which is an online encyclopedia of local organizations doing work to advance the SDGs. The city works closely with universities and students to add expertise and outside perspectives across its SDG efforts.

Los Angeles Sustainable Development Goals >>

Los Angeles Voluntary Local Review 2021 >>

Los Angeles Student Teams >>

New York City

New York City was among the first cities in the world to report on its SDG progress at the UN and launched a global movement of more than 200 local governments that have formally committed to reporting on their SDG progress. The SDGs are integrated in the city’s comprehensive plan, OneNYC 2050. The Mayor’s office brings the SDGs to all five boroughs by working with students through its Junior Ambassadors program.

Junior Ambassadors Program >>

New York City Voluntary Local Review 2019 >>

Voluntary Local Review Declaration >>

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh has a community-wide effort on the SDGs that involves the city government, local universities, community foundations, and businesses. The Mayor’s office has integrated the SDGs into its strategy and uses them to understand and address disparities across issues. In 2020, the city published a review of how current city activities align and contribute to the SDGs and progress toward achieving them.

Pittsburgh Voluntary Local Review 2020 >>

The ‘SDG Effect’: The emerging Pittsburgh platform to deliver the global goals locally >>

Orlando

In 2018, Orlando became one of the first U.S. cities in the country to both inform and align its city sustainability strategy with the SDGs. Its action plan commits to measuring and reporting on progress toward the SDGs. Orlando is publishing its first report on SDG progress in summer 2021. The Mayor’s office works with actors from across the community on the SDGs, including local universities, community foundations, and the regional planning council. The city published its first voluntary local review in 2021.

Orlando Voluntary Local Review 2021 >>

City of Orlando 2018 Community Action Plan >>

A conversation with Chris Castro, director of sustainability and resilience for Orlando >>

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