The Spanish National Strategy for Sustainable Development 2030, approved in June 2021, is Spain’s roadmap for implementing the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It was developed through a participatory process involving public institutions, civil society, academia, and the private sector.

The strategy is structured around eight major challenges:

1. Overcoming poverty and inequality.
2. Tackling the climate and environmental emergency.
3. Closing the gender gap and ending gender-based violence.
4. Overcoming the demographic challenge and revitalizing rural areas.
5. Ensuring decent work and a fair economic model.
6. Strengthening public services and social protection.
7. Building a just, inclusive, and peaceful society.
8. Promoting global partnerships and international cooperation.

Each challenge includes specific policy levers, indicators, and targets to guide action and monitor progress. The strategy emphasizes policy coherence, intergenerational equity, and territorial balance, aligning national efforts with EU and global frameworks.

It also establishes mechanisms for governance, follow-up, and accountability, ensuring that sustainable development becomes a central axis of public policy in Spain.

The Spanish National Strategy for Sustainable Development 2030 includes a robust governance framework to ensure effective implementation, monitoring, and accountability. Here are the key governance mechanisms it outlines:

1. Multilevel Governance

• The strategy promotes coordination across national, regional, and local governments, ensuring that all levels of administration are aligned with the SDGs, through the Interministerial Comission (national level) and the Sectoral Conference, which includes regional and local representation.
• It encourages the integration of sustainable development principles into sectoral policies and territorial planning.

Also, organized civil society is represented through the Sustainable Development Council (Consejo de Desarrollo Sostenible) acting as a participatory body involving civil society, academia, and the private sector.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• The strategy includes a system of indicators aligned with the UN SDGs to track progress.
• Regular progress reports are published to assess implementation and adjust policies as needed.

Policy Coherence

• A key principle is ensuring coherence across all public policies, avoiding contradictions and maximizing synergies between economic, social, and environmental goals.

 Participation and Transparency

• The strategy was developed through a broad participatory process, and ongoing engagement with stakeholders is a core element.
• Transparency is ensured through public access to data and reports.

The Spanish Government has reported on progress every year, either by the VNR submissions in 2018, 2021 and 2024; or by annual progress reports in 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Institutions involved in reporting process, are:

1. National Statistics Institute (INE)
   • Provides official data for monitoring progress on the SDGs.
   • Maintains the national SDG indicator system aligned with the UN framework.
2. Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and 2030 Agenda
   • Leads the political and strategic direction of the Agenda 2030 implementation.
   • Coordinates with autonomous communities and local entities.
3. Sustainable Development Council
   • A participatory body including civil society, academia, and private sector.
   • Provides input and oversight on the strategy’s implementation and revisions.
4. Spanish Parliament (Cortes Generales)
   • Receives periodic reports on progress.
   • Plays a role in democratic oversight and legislative alignment with the SDGs.
5. Court of Auditors (Tribunal de Cuentas)
   • May audit public spending related to SDG implementation, ensuring transparency and accountability.