Measuring distance to the SDG targets – Norway
Based on 127 available indicators allowing a coverage of 102 of the 169 SDG targets, Norway has currently achieved 25 of the 2030 targets, and many of the remaining distances to targets are small (Figure 2.51). For example, Norway has the lowest death rate from traffic accidents across OECD countries (target 3.6), among the best results in the OECD on CO2 intensity (9.4 and 13.2) and has achieved target 17.2 on official development assistance. However, some challenges remain; for instance, there is a high mortality rate from accidental poisoning (target 3.9) and participation in organized learning is lower than the OECD average (target 4.2).
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 can be more up-to-date.
Figure 2.52, Panel A shows that Norway is on average closest to reaching some goals pertaining to Planet (in particular goals on Sustainable Production, Climate, Oceans and Biodiversity) and some goals pertaining to Prosperity (in particular goals on Energy, Infrastructure, Reducing Inequality and Cities), as well as goals on Health, Institutions and Implementation (goals 3, 16 and 17). Relative to the OECD average, Norway outperforms on goals such as Institutions and Implementation (goals 16 and 17), as well as on all goals relating to People, on goals relating to Planet (goals 12 on Sustainable Production, 13 on Climate, 14 on Oceans, 15 on Biodiversity) and on goals relating to Prosperity (goals 7 on Energy, 9 on Infrastructure, 10 on Reducing Inequality, 11 on Cities). However, considerable effort by the international statistical community will be key to fill the data gaps and allow a more accurate assessment (see Figure 2.52, Panel B). For example, if missing data were available on Sustainable Production, Oceans, Reducing Inequality and Cities (goals 12, 14, 10 and 11), Norway’s performance on Planet and Prosperity could change from current assessments.