Sustainable Development Report 2020

The Sustainable Development Report 2020, which includes the SDG Index and Dashboards, compares countries according to their:

• Performance on the SDGs
• SDG implementation activities
• Covid-19 control success

The report also provides an overview of the impacts of Covid-19 on the SDGs, and identifies priorities for a sustainable development-based recovery from the crisis.

The report was prepared by SDSN and Bertelsmann Stiftung.

Global highlights

• Scandinavian and European countries again dominate the top positions in the SDG Index.
• Covid‑19 will have severe negative impacts on most SDGs.
• All countries need to strengthen the resilience of their health systems and
  prevention programs.
• The SDGs and the Six SDG Transformations can inform the recovery from Covid‑19.
• Asian countries have made the most progress towards the SDGs since the adoption
  of the goals in 2015. Asian countries have also responded most effectively to
  the Covid‑19 outbreak.
• Solidarity and partnerships are critical to address and prevent health, economic,
  and humanitarian crises.
• Data gaps and time lags in official statistics require urgent investments in statistical
  capacity and increased coordination between governments and the private sector.

Australia’s performance

• Global report gives Australia an A for coronavirus response but a D on climate – Article by SDSN AusNZPac Chair Prof John Thwaites in The Conversation
• Calls for Australia to tackle the SDGs with the same urgency as COVID-19 – Article in ProBono News
• Australia ranks second worst in world on climate action, outside top 50 on clean energy – Article in Renew Economy
• Sustainable Development Report Review 2020: Has Australia passed their marks? – Interview with Prof John Thwaites on RTR FM Perth.