The SDGS beyond 2030 - key takeaways from UCD panel discussion
Tuesday, 7 October, 2025
During UCD SDG Week, Una Europa hosted the event, '2030 and Beyond: The Future of the Sustainable Development Goals'. Moderated by UCD's Vice-President for Sustainability, Prof Tasman Crowe, panellists were Dr Sinead Walsh, principal research fellow for climate at ODI Global; Conor Minogue, energy and climate policy lead for the business group Ibec; Prof Enda Murphy, head of planning at UCD School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy; and Prof Lisa Ryan, professor in energy economics in the UCD School of Economics. Below are our key takeaways.
- There is limited overall progress. Only 18% of SDG targets are on track, while 20% are regressing - a sign that global efforts are falling far short.
- The clear successes are education and energy. Access to education and electricity have improved markedly, thanks to global school completion rates and the spread of off-grid solar power.
- Extreme poverty and hunger are rising again, and widening inequality underpins many other SDG failures.
- With 169 targets and over 350 indicators, tracking progress is complex. Weak data obscures where genuine improvements are happening.
- The SDGs have faced severe headwinds - COVID-19, wars, and a collapse in aid and finance - diverting attention and resources.
- A $4.3 trillion annual shortfall threatens the agenda. More innovative finance, wealth taxes and honest debate on global inequality are needed.
- Businesses embraced sustainability during the pandemic but now face cost pressures; universities must drive education, research and re-skilling for a sustainable future.
- Rising nationalism and aid withdrawal have weakened global cooperation - the very foundation of the SDGs.
- The post-2030 framework should focus on fewer, interconnected and realistic goals, prioritising climate, poverty and hunger.
- Public engagement is faltering because progress is not communicated through relatable outcomes. Stronger storytelling is vital to show why the SDGs matter to everyday life.