Mission Statement
Why do most states fail to deliver sustainable governance?
In our globalizing world, increasingly complex challenges – from shifting economic power and social inequalities to aging societies and depleting resources – are placing governments under intensifying pressure. Now more than ever, governments must rapidly adapt and deploy policies to meet these challenges.
When confronting these challenges, most OECD and EU governments continue to struggle with implementing sustainable policies. Short-term, ad hoc measures often take precedence, while rising debt shifts an unfair burden onto future generations. Persistent inequalities in labor markets, education and health care jeopardize the long-term viability of entire societies. Meanwhile, most countries fail to prioritize the efficient use of natural resources for long-term sustainability.
In order to ensure quality of life for present and future generations, stakeholders throughout society must embrace and advocate for long-term thinking. Achieving this requires more innovation in governance - creating policies that work for everyone, now and in the years to come.
When confronting these challenges, most OECD and EU governments continue to struggle with implementing sustainable policies. Short-term, ad hoc measures often take precedence, while rising debt shifts an unfair burden onto future generations. Persistent inequalities in labor markets, education and health care jeopardize the long-term viability of entire societies. Meanwhile, most countries fail to prioritize the efficient use of natural resources for long-term sustainability.
In order to ensure quality of life for present and future generations, stakeholders throughout society must embrace and advocate for long-term thinking. Achieving this requires more innovation in governance - creating policies that work for everyone, now and in the years to come.
How does the SGI address these needs?
We believe good governance and sustainable development go hand-in-hand. We also believe in mutual learning. The Sustainable Governance Indicators project thus aims to facilitate transitions towards sustainable governance models that foster well-being within planetary boundaries, and promote effective, accountable and inclusive state institutions To achieve this, the project developed a comprehensive monitoring instrument to evaluate the sustainability of policymaking and the quality of democratic governance in the areas of economic, social and environmental policy across 30 OECD and EU countries. In addition, SGI Deep Dives identify promising governance innovations that are essential for successful transformation.
Democratic Government
Governing with Foresight
Sustainable Policymaking
Driven by evidence-based analyses, the SGI helps a variety of stakeholders throughout the OECD and EU navigate the complexity of effective governance. What works in which context and why? Answering these questions can help generate innovative responses to cross-cutting challenges worldwide. Whether citizen or a member of the public, private or third sector, practitioners across the policymaking spectrum will find the SGI useful in identifying good practices and in adapting them locally.
Democratic Government
Governing with Foresight
Sustainable Policymaking
Driven by evidence-based analyses, the SGI helps a variety of stakeholders throughout the OECD and EU navigate the complexity of effective governance. What works in which context and why? Answering these questions can help generate innovative responses to cross-cutting challenges worldwide. Whether citizen or a member of the public, private or third sector, practitioners across the policymaking spectrum will find the SGI useful in identifying good practices and in adapting them locally.
Democratic Government
Why is democratic oversight important for sustainable development?
The sustainability of policies will depend in many ways on the quality of democratic oversight. Guaranteeing opportunities for democratic participation as well as respect for the rule of law and civil rights cultivates citizens‘ confidence in the legitimacy of actions taken by political leaders. Without strong public support for government actions, even the best ideas in policymaking will lack the traction needed to take hold.
Confidence in the mechanisms and institutions of governance also enable societies to respond more quickly to necessary changes. In the Democratic Government dimension, we analyze the extent to which state power is limited. The areas examined are:
Confidence in the mechanisms and institutions of governance also enable societies to respond more quickly to necessary changes. In the Democratic Government dimension, we analyze the extent to which state power is limited. The areas examined are:
Governing with Foresight
How can we ensure long-term thinking in governance?
Sustainable governance relies on leaders adopting a long-term view of public policy that considers the interests of future generations. Certain contexts, mechanisms and approaches are more effective than others in fostering this forward-thinking mindset. The Governing with Foresight dimension of the SGI explores the extent to which internal government instruments, processes and structures enable anticipatory governance. The areas examined are:
Sustainable Policymaking
How can sustainable policymaking be enhanced?
Sustainable public policies must contribute toward a new political, social and economic order that is viable for future generations.
The SGI framework covers not only policy outcomes but policy ambition and policy direction as well. By combining metrics for policy ambition with composite performance indicators, we provide early warning signals that reveal whether political shifts are already influencing measurable outcomes.
We not only consider the extent to which governments actively foster opportunities at home but also the extent to which they contribute to the provision of global public goods.The Sustainable Policymaking dimension examines the extent to which selected areas of economic, social and environmental policy meet the challenges of sustainability. The areas included are:
The SGI framework covers not only policy outcomes but policy ambition and policy direction as well. By combining metrics for policy ambition with composite performance indicators, we provide early warning signals that reveal whether political shifts are already influencing measurable outcomes.
We not only consider the extent to which governments actively foster opportunities at home but also the extent to which they contribute to the provision of global public goods.The Sustainable Policymaking dimension examines the extent to which selected areas of economic, social and environmental policy meet the challenges of sustainability. The areas included are:
