Publications

In a global context where only 17% of SDG targets are on track, Ireland’s experience offers a compelling case for building coherence across sectors and levels of government. This OECD Policy Coherence Scan assesses how Ireland is aligning its institutional settings, policy processes and delivery systems to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. The report reviews Ireland’s performance against the OECD Recommendation on Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development, highlighting its strong whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. It shares positive practices, including institutional collaboration and stakeholder engagement, and provides an in-depth review of SDG implementation at the local level. At the same time, it also identifies areas for further development, such as integrating the SDGs into existing policy tools and building capacity at the local level. With Ireland preparing its Third National Implementation Plan for the SDGs, this report provides timely insights to strengthen co-ordination, close gaps, and embed long-term thinking across government. It also provides valuable insights to other countries pursuing coherence and policy integration in SDG implementation.

As only 17% of global SDG targets are on track, governments must act fast—and effectively. This OECD Policy Coherence Scan takes a close look at Portugal’s approach to delivering on the 2030 Agenda, focusing on how different government structures, policies and plans are aligning to implement the Sustainable Development Goals. The report assesses Portugal’s progress through the lens of the OECD Recommendation on Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development, highlighting strong legal and planning frameworks and high-level co-ordination mechanisms. It also identifies challenges, including the need for a more systematic approach to transboundary impacts and vertical coherence across levels of government. With Portugal’s National Roadmap for Sustainable Development 2030 currently under government review, the report provides timely insights to support more integrated, forward-looking policies. From strategic foresight to capacity-building and data monitoring, Portugal’s experience offers practical lessons for governments aiming to break down silos and build sustainable futures.

With just 17% of global SDG targets on track, urgent and co-ordinated action is more critical than ever. This OECD Policy Coherence Scan explores how Belgium’s federal government is strengthening its institutional mechanisms, strategies and tools to more effectively implement the Sustainable Development Goals. Focusing on the federal level, the report assesses Belgium’s performance against the OECD Recommendation on Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development. It highlights a solid legal framework and a strong culture of stakeholder engagement, while also identifying areas for improvement in policy formulation, implementation and evaluation. As Belgium develops its next Federal Plan for Sustainable Development, this report offers timely, practical recommendations to enhance alignment, accountability, and impact. It also sheds light on how Belgium is navigating complexity and what its experience can offer other governments working to build coherent, future-ready policies.

A regulatory sandbox is a controlled environment, established to understand the opportunities and risks associated with specific innovations and to develop an appropriate regulatory environment to accommodate them effectively. This Regulatory Sandbox Toolkit offers a comprehensive guide for regulators to establish and manage regulatory sandboxes effectively. The purpose of the toolkit is to help the regulator set-up and manage controlled environments where new financial products, services, or business models can be tested with real consumers under relaxed regulatory conditions, but with regulatory oversight. The toolkit is structured into three key components, each serving a distinct purpose, ensuring a structured and effective approach to regulatory experimentation: the Regulatory Sandbox Guidebook, the Regulatory Sandbox Workbook and Instructions on filling out the Workbook.

Vocational education and training (VET) is well positioned to support the green transition, as it sits at the intersection of education and the labour market. By maintaining close ties with the world of work, VET systems are uniquely equipped to respond to evolving skill needs and, more proactively, to drive green innovation.

This report looks at how the VET system in Finland can contribute to achieving the country’s environmental ambitions. VET plays a central role in the Finnish formal education system, enrolling a significant share of learners including young people in initial education and training and adults who are up- or reskilling. The report examines how vocational qualifications are revised and updated to reflect shifting labour market needs and how micro-qualifications can provide targeted opportunities for developing skills for the green transition. The role of post-secondary VET to develop the higher-level skills that are often required in green jobs is also analysed. Moreover, the report discusses the readiness of teachers to deliver green-related content and highlights the need to provide current and prospective learners with clear information on the skill needs for the green transition and relevant training opportunities.

Countries around the world are increasingly taking action to end plastic pollution. Southeast and East Asia is uniquely positioned to tackle this issue, as it accounts for nearly one-third of global GDP and plays an important role in plastics value chains. It has also become a hotspot for plastic pollution, having experienced escalating levels of waste generation and insufficient, albeit accelerating, improvements in waste management in recent decades. These trends underscore the need for additional, ambitious policies.

This Regional Plastics Outlook provides a roadmap to support policy design and implementation in the 10 ASEAN Member States along with Japan, Korea and the People’s Republic of China (ASEAN Plus Three countries). It both assesses the current situation and policy landscape, and quantifies regional plastics flows through 2050, including plastics use, waste and end-of-life fates, as well as environmental impacts linked to plastics. The Outlook also presents policy scenarios and recommendations to end plastic leakage in the region.

Effective investment in digital technologies and data is essential for enhancing public service delivery and institutional performance. As government spending on digital and ICT is projected to grow, ensuring these investments deliver value and avoid inefficiencies is increasingly critical. This demands agile investment strategies, a balance between in-house capabilities and strategic partnerships, and budgeting approaches that align with modern digital needs. The OECD’s Digital Government Investment Framework provides valuable guidance to help governments strengthen governance, manage risks, and pursue results-driven investment.

Australia’s response to this challenge is embodied in the Digital and ICT Investment Oversight Framework (IOF), which underpins the Digital Transformation Agency’s support for whole-of-government investment management. Introduced in 2022, the IOF provides a comprehensive, end-to-end approach across the digital investment lifecycle—from early planning to benefit realisation—aligned with the Data and Digital Government Strategy 2023–2030. Iteratively developed to meet evolving needs, the IOF seeks to strengthen decision making and boost the successful delivery of digital initiatives.

This report reviews the IOF’s progress three years post-launch, benchmarking it against OECD best practice. It identifies strengths, challenges, and opportunities to ensure the IOF remains fit for purpose and continues to advance Australia’s digital government ambitions.