The UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, the world’s countries adopted the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 accompanying Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are divided into 169 targets. The SDGs are interdependent and balance the three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social, and environmental. They therefore apply universally to all countries and, by virtue of their universality, encompass both a national and an international dimension.

According to international analyses, Denmark ranks among the very top countries in the world in terms of achieving the SDGs. Denmark also makes an ambitious contribution to their global realization by pursuing progress both nationally and internationally.

Action Plan for the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Denmark is among the countries furthest advanced in implementing the SDGs. We must therefore continue to take the lead, serve as an example and source of inspiration for others, and work towards realizing the goals domestically while also contributing strongly at the global level. With the updated Action Plan for the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Government will build on Denmark’s successes while directing greater attention to areas where further progress is needed, and where Denmark lags behind.

In July 2025, the Government published an updated Action Plan for the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The plan, Towards a More Sustainable Denmark (Danish), sets the framework for the Government’s approach and priorities in following up on the SDGs. Despite Denmark’s strong starting point, challenges remain, leaving room for improvement. In several areas, political visions have already been established, making it crucial now to focus on implementation in order to achieve the goals. With this action plan, the Government places particular emphasis on those areas where Denmark is most behind. As highlighted in the Government’s Progress Report on the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2022–2023, Denmark is especially lagging in meeting the goals related to responsible consumption and production (Goal 12), life below water (Goal 14), and life on land (Goal 15).

Previous governments have also developed action plans for Denmark’s follow-up on the UN SDGs, namely in 2021 (Action Plan 2021) and in 2017 (Action Plan 2017).

The Sustainable Development Goals

In addition to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, the 2030 Agenda also includes 169 specific targets. Each target is linked to indicators on which countries must report annually. An official Danish translation of the 2030 Agenda, as well as of all goals, targets, and indicators, has now been completed.