Sustainable development is defined as purposeful development that ensures the improvement of people’s quality of life in compliance with natural resources and the ability of the natural environment to endure. Sustainable development seeks to achieve balance between the social, economic and environmental spheres and ensure a fulfilling social life for present and future generations. Sustainable development virtually includes all spheres of life.
The Estonian National Strategy on Sustainable Development “Sustainable Estonia 21” covers many areas, which different ministries are responsible for. Since May 2006, the implementation of the strategic development plans for sustainable development is coordinated by the Strategy Director of the Government Office, whose work is supported by the Strategy Unit. The Strategy Director is also a national contact person and coordinator in sustainable development issues.
Sustainable development in Estonia
Estonia’s sustainable development principles have been determined by the National Strategy on Sustainable Development “Sustainable Estonia 21”. The strategy basics are derived from the Law on Sustainable Development adopted by the Riigikogu in 1995. This Act sets out regulations on sustainable use of natural environment and natural resources. The National Strategy on Sustainable Development “Sustainable Estonia 21” was completed under the coordination of the Ministry of the Environment in 2005. This constitutes as a strategy for developing the Estonian state and society until 2030. The strategy was completed in close cooperation between the experts and the stakeholders. The adoption of the strategy was preceded by a thorough public discussion.
The aim of the strategy is to combine the requirements for success arising from global competition with the preservation of the sustainable development principles and Estonia’s traditional values. The National Strategy “Sustainable Estonia 21” proposes objectives and policies contributing to the sustainable development of Estonia.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
2016
Review of the Implemantaion of 2030 Agenda in Estonia (1.4 MB)
Executive Summary (351.44 KB)
2020
Review of the Implemantaion of 2030 Agenda in Estonia (2.51 MB)
Main messages (292.87 KB)
Objectives of Estonia’s sustainable development
- The viability of the Estonian cultural space
- The growth of welfare
- A socially coherent society
- Ecological balance
Strategy implementation
The Commission for Sustainable Development
The Government of the Republic of Estonia established the Commission for Sustainable Development in 1996.
The Working Group for Sustainable Development
To improve the efficiency in implementing the Strategy on Sustainable Development, an inter-ministerial working group for sustainable development was created in 2008.
The working group is headed by the Strategy Director and the members of the working group are representatives of ministries concerned with the implementation of the strategy (the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Research, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Justice) at the level of deputy secretary generals and heads of department, as well as representatives of Statistics Estonia.
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