Sport Ireland Report on UN Sustainable Development Goals

Sport Ireland has released a report mapping the contribution of the Irish National Sports Policy (NSP) to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

In total there are 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, along with 169 targets, and 237 unique indicators forming the framework for global development through to 2030. Ireland is one of 193 member states of the United Nations who pledged their commitment to this universal agenda to address all three dimensions of sustainable development; economic, social, and environmental.

The report shows where the NSP aligns closely with 10 of the SDGs; promoting good health and well-being, ensuring quality education, achieving gender equality, fostering decent work and economic growth, reducing inequalities, creating sustainable cities and communities, ensuring responsible consumption and production patterns, taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, safeguarding peace, justice and strong institutions, and building partnerships for the goals. 

The NSP has 57 actions across five domains and recognises sports positive contribution to many aspects of Irish life including health and wellbeing, social and community development, economic activity, educational performance, and life-long learning. This report highlights the significant role which sports can play in achieving sustainable development, while also establishing a road map and identifying areas where more work needs to be done concerning improving the evidence base and bridging data gaps to monitor Ireland’s progress. 

The next steps which Sport Ireland are working towards include providing strategic leadership, guidance, and advocacy. As well as strengthening the Data Warehouse and Visualisation Portal for Sport, and supporting organisations and actors in building their capacities and skills.

The research has identified seven broad areas where the NSP makes a significant impact on the SDGs. The first of these is Sport for Health and Wellbeing, with physical inactivity being responsible for the loss of approximately 4,000 Irish lives in 2014. Another area is Sport and Community Development, as is Sport for Education and Life-long Learning.

Sport and Economic Activity is also identified, with sport and sport-related activities creating over 64,000 jobs in 2018. Sport for an Inclusive, Equitable, and Cohesive Society, refers to how sport can reduce social isolation and promote the integration of migrants and ethnic minorities. 

Sport and Environmentally Friendly Practices are expected to lead to specific changes within the systems and structures surrounding sport, physical activity, and physical education. These, in turn will lead to the population and sport sector being more environmentally sustainable and responsible. 

While Governance and the Integrity of Sport is embedded across all sport in Ireland, protecting its integrity and supporting sustainable and equitable access to sport and physical activity.

Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne TD, commented: “The actions of the Government’s National Sports Policy (NSP) are across participation, sports facilities including the Sport Ireland Campus, high performance, building capacity including policy coherence and alignment, and governance including the integrity and financing of Irish sport, and implementation, monitoring and review. The report shows that the NSP aligns closely with 10 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals which is a testament to the commitment of the Irish government to this important agenda.”

Minister of State for Climate, Environment and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD added: “This report highlights the many ways in which sports can contribute to the SDGs while also identifying areas where more work needs to be done to fully harness the potential of sports as a tool for sustainable development. I’d like to acknowledge all those who contributed to this report and their commitment to continued progress on such a crucial issue.” 

Sport Ireland CEO, Dr Úna May, commented: “This study was conducted to review the contribution of sport to the SDGs nationally and internationally, to identify actions of the NSP that contribute to the SDGs, to develop an innovative SDG Framework for Sport in Ireland, and to use the framework to develop progress indicators for each SDG. This alignment is no coincidence. The Sport Ireland Strategy recognises the importance of sustainability and places it at the centre of our efforts I am proud to see the efforts of Sport Ireland recognised in this report, and I am committed to continuing our work to promote sustainable development through sport.”

Director of Research and Innovation at Sport Ireland, Benny Cullen added: “I want to extend my thanks to all those who contributed to this report and I look forward to continuing our work in Sport Ireland to promote the significant role that sport across the country can play in achieving sustainable development.”