NAVIGATING BETWEEN SCYLLA AND CHARYBDIS. THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS AFTER COVID 19

Although there is still insufficient data to fully appreciate the effect of COVID-19 on the fulfilment of the SDGs, the pandemic seems to have had a very important impact over the three dimensions of sustainability: economic, social and environmental. In this paper, a synthesis of the possible influence of the pandemic on the 2030 Agenda has been presented. These effects seem negative in general, although they could also lead to positive consequences, such as the acceleration of digitization in certain sectors, better air quality or a positive change towards more sustainable habits.

In any case, the analysis of the level of compliance with the SDGs shows that the current rate of progress is clearly insufficient and that, beyond the pandemic situation, there are structural difficulties in the Agenda that must be addressed. It is proposed that one of the axes of the problem lies in the tension between the need to address the SDGs in a comprehensive and systemic manner - due to their highly complex and interrelated nature - and the practical need, at the same time, to focus efforts and prioritize actions. The “missions’’ approach and multi-stakeholder collaboration organized around platforms focused on these missions is presented as a promising way forward.