SDGs mainstreaming at the local level

Case studies from Japan

Bibliographic Data

ID12950657
AuthorsHiromi Masuda (0000-0003-2163-4400, Hosei University, corresponding author), Mahesti Okitasari (0000-0002-8835-3614, United Nations University Institute for Sustainability and Peace), Kanako Morita (0000-0001-7004-7566, United Nations University Institute for Sustainability and Peace), Tarek Katramiz (United Nations University Institute for Sustainability and Peace), Hitomi Shimizu (Keio University Shonan Fujisawa), Shun Kawakubo (0000-0003-3676-8057, Hosei University), Yatsuka Kataoka (Institute for Global Environmental Strategies)
Year2021
Volume16
Issue5
Pages1539-1562
Publication date2021-06-20
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSustainability Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1862-4057 • E-ISSN: 1862-4065
PublisherSpringer Science+Business Media (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1007/s11625-021-00977-0
OpenAlexW3174329167
LanguageEN
Citations received23
References cited33

There has been increasing interest in local-level implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite the emergence of various initiatives undertaken by local governments, studies on the process of mainstreaming the 2030 Agenda within local contexts remain limited. This study is aimed at identifying possible approaches for supporting local governments in successfully mainstreaming the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. We developed an analytical framework covering key components for local-level mainstreaming of the SDGs based on our review of recent policy guidelines for implementing the SDGs and the policy integration and coherence literature. Subsequently, we applied this framework within case studies of two designated municipalities under the Japanese government’s “SDGs Future Cities” initiative aimed at localizing the SDGs. The analysis demonstrated how local governments could develop and apply key components of the SDGs mainstreaming process. Our findings suggest that the following approaches can facilitate local governments’ efforts to mainstream the SDGs: first, municipalities can foster local ownership to address the challenges they face. Second, existing policy resources can be linked with formal procedures. Third, multi-stakeholder partnerships can be developed. Fourth, vertical communication channels can be established with international and national-level organizations. Overall, the article contributes to a growing literature on SDGs implementation at the local level by identifying key components required for their mainstreaming, introducing perspectives derived from Japanese case studies

Economics · Environmental planning · Environmental resource management · Geography · Local government · Mainstream · Mainstreaming · Political science · Public relations · Stakeholder · Sustainable development · Environmental and Social Impact Assessments · Public Administration · Public Policy and Administration Research · Sustainability and Climate Change Governance

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