The Europe Sustainable Development Report 2025 (ESDR), released today by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), reveals stagnating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the European Union (EU). The findings highlights the urgent need for the bloc’s new leadership to reaffirm its commitment to sustainability, amid persistent social, environmental, and biodiversity challenges.
Now in its sixth edition, the ESDR assesses SDG performance across 41 European nations, including all 27 EU member states, nine EU candidate countries, four European Free Trade Agreement nations, and the UK. The report’s SDG Index and Dashboards show that the pace of progress has slowed significantly, with SDG advancement between 2020-2023 increasing by just 0.8 points, compared to 1.9 points in the 2016-2019 period.
The report also highlights Europe’s ongoing environmental and biodiversity challenges, particularly in SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), which is linked to sustainable food and land systems. A new study, produced in collaboration with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), examines the transformation of the EU’s agri-food system, urging a shift towards healthier diets and sustainable food production.
“The world is increasingly dangerous, unstable, and uncertain,” said Guillaume Lafortune, Vice President of SDSN and lead author of the Report. “With rising geopolitical tensions, sustainable development faces setbacks in Europe and globally. Yet, people – especially young generations – demand sustainable policies. It is the historic responsibility and strategic interest of the new EU leadership to uphold the principles of the UN Charter and implement the SDGs.”
While 19 of the top 20 countries in the global SDG Index are European nations, the overall pace of progress has halved in the last three years. The report highlights widening inequalities across the region, with socio-economic performance declining since 2020 in parts of Western and Northern Europe.
The SDG Index 2025 found that Northern European countries continue to lead, with Finland ranking first for the fifth consecutive year, followed by Denmark, Sweden, Austria, and Norway. Also, persistent inequalities remain, as highlighted in the Leave No One Behind Index (LNOB), which tracks disparities in income, access to services, and employment opportunities. It also found that Baltic states and Central and Eastern European countries rank lowest on the LNOB Index, with EU candidate countries also facing challenges. Gender equality has seen some progress, but income inequality, access to services, and poverty levels have stagnated.
The report stresses that the EU’s agri-food system needs urgent reforms to align with climate, biodiversity, and public health goals. A joint study by SDSN and the EESC finds that adopting healthier diets is critical to achieving multiple SDGs, including climate mitigation and biodiversity protection.
“We have just five years left to implement the 2030 Agenda, and sustainable food systems are a key driver,” said Peter Schmidt, President of the EESC NAT Section. “To accelerate action, we need stronger mechanisms to protect farmers, food producers, and ensure a fair supply chain.”
The 2025 Spillover Index reveals that the EU’s unsustainable consumption patterns and international trade practices contribute significantly to negative environmental and social impacts worldwide. Key findings indicate that trade-based negative spillovers account for up to 30% of the EU’s total environmental footprint.
To accelerate SDG implementation from 2024 to 2029, the ESDR 2025 outlines four key priorities for the EU’s incoming leadership:
- Scaling up investments in clean energy and digital technologies, with a long-term Clean Industrial Deal and Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2035).
- Strengthening social policies to mitigate inflation-driven economic hardships and geopolitical tensions.
- Addressing unsustainable consumption patterns, particularly through fairer food systems and healthier diets.
- Expanding SDG and Green Deal diplomacy, reinforcing commitments to the UN Charter and advocating for global financial system reform.
A major milestone in these efforts will be the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4), hosted by Spain in June 2025. This event will be a critical opportunity for the EU to mobilise public and private financing for sustainable development.
“The EU must reaffirm its commitment to the SDGs,” states the report, calling on the European Commission, Council of the EU, and European Parliament to issue a joint political statement this year.
With just five years remaining to achieve the 2030 Agenda, the ESDR 2025 delivers a stark warning: Europe’s progress on sustainability is slowing, and urgent action is required to reignite momentum.
The report urges EU institutions to take decisive steps, from scaling up investments to ensuring inclusive policy-making. Without a renewed commitment, the region risks falling behind on critical global goals.
