Based on 115 available indicators allowing a coverage of 94 of the 169 SDG targets, New Zealand has currently achieved 22 of the 2030 targets, and many of the remaining distances to targets are small (Figure 2.49). For example, New Zealand has a high share of renewable energy in energy consumption (target 7.2), low exposure to air pollution in metropolitan areas (target 11.6) and a high participation rate of adults in lifelong learning (target 4.3). However, some challenges remain; New Zealand is still very far (i.e. more than 3 standardised distances away) from meeting some 4% of the targets. For instance, obesity rates are high (target 2.2) and significant issues remain regarding the state of biodiversity (target 15.5).
Measuring Distance to the SDG Targets 2019
An Assessment of Where OECD Countries Stand
Note: The chart shows current level of achievement on each available target. The longer the bar, the shorter the distance still to be travelled to reach 2030 target (dotted circle). Targets are clustered by goal, and goals are clustered by the “5Ps” of the 2030 Agenda (outer circle).
Source: See www.oecd.org/sdd/OECD-Measuring-Distance-to-SDGs-Targets-Metadata.pdf for detailed metadata.
The Measuring Distance to the SDG Targets Study is intended as an analytical tool to assist countries in identifying strengths and weaknesses across the goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda, and as such differs in nature from Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) or other reporting processes. To ensure international comparability, indicators used in the Study are based on the UN Global List of Indicators on SDGs and are sourced from the UN SDG Database and OECD databases. VNRs typically use national indicators that reflect national circumstances and will be more up-to-date. The New Zealand government is also reporting on a range of national indicators of multi-dimensional well-being which will inform New Zealand’s own response to the SDGs.
Figure 2.50, Panel A shows that New Zealand is on average closest to reaching goals on Cities (11), Energy (7), and Implementation (17). On the other hand, New Zealand is furthest from achieving Gender Equality (5). Relative to the OECD average, New Zealand outperforms on goals such as Reducing Inequality (10), Cities (11) and Institutions (16). Conversely, New Zealand is relatively further away on Biodiversity (15) and Sustainable Production (12). However, considerable effort by the international statistical community will be key to fill the data gaps and allow a more accurate assessment (see Figure 2.50, Panel B). For example, if missing data were available on Sustainable Production, Oceans and Cities (goals 12, 14 and 11), New Zealand’s performance on Planet and Prosperity could change from current assessments.
Note: Panel A shows the average distance the country needs to travel to reach each SDG. Distances are measured in standardised units (see Chapter 3 for details) with 0 indicating that the level for 2030 has already been attained: and 3 is the distance most OECD countries have already travelled. Bars show the average country performance against all targets under the relevant Goal for which data are available, and diamonds show the OECD average. Whiskers show uncertainties due to missing data, ranging from assuming that missing indicators are all 3 standardised distances from the 2030 target level to assuming that they are already at the target level. Panel B shows the share of targets covered by at least one indicator out of the 169 targets of the 2030 Agenda, according to the 17 goals and 5Ps.
Source: See www.oecd.org/sdd/OECD-Measuring-Distance-to-SDGs-Targets-Metadata.pdf for detailed metadata.