In the 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy, the Federal Council outlines the priorities it intends to set to implement the 2030 Agenda over the next ten years. It thus establishes sustainable development as a key requirement for all federal policy areas. The strategy sets out objectives and the focus for both national and international federal policy in three priority areas: sustainable consumption and production; climate, energy and biodiversity; and equal opportunities and social cohesion. The Federal Council sees a particular need for action and coordination in these three areas.

For example, the Federal Council aims to reduce the proportion of the population living below the national poverty line by 2030. It also aims to identify negative environmental impacts caused by financial incentives for the use of fossil fuels and to work towards avoiding such incentives in the future.

The Federal Council first conducted a consultation on the 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy and amended the draft on the basis of the consultation results. The government specified the processes for implementing, reporting on and further developing the strategy, and sets clear objectives and the strategic direction in federal policy. Moreover, it now also sees civil society as an important driver in implementing the 2030 Agenda.

2021–2023 Action Plan

The Federal Council also adopted the 2021–2023 Action Plan along with the Strategy; this provides greater detail than the latter, setting out selected new measures at federal level. These include measures to combat food waste and to promote the use of sustainable aviation fuels, a strategy to coordinate the various underground land uses, measures to strengthen social cohesion in neighbourhoods and agglomerations, and improved monitoring of the impact of free trade agreements. The Action Plan complements existing federal strategies and instruments with further targeted measures in areas where there are still gaps or where there is a need for greater cross-sectoral cooperation.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The 2030 Agenda is the reference framework established by the international community to address major global challenges. All UN member states have made a political commitment to implement the 2030 Agenda with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at national and international level.

Federal Council adopts 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy and Action Plan