RTÉ is among 26 organisations appointed by Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan from across society as leaders in driving forward Ireland’s progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The organisations have been appointed as part of the 2023-2024 SDG Champions Programme, developed to raise public awareness of the SDGs and to demonstrate that everyone in society can make a contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The role of an SDG Champion is to act as an advocate and promoter of the SDGs and a good practice example of how an organisation can contribute to the SDGs and integrate them into their work and activities.
Speaking about the launch, Minister Ryan said:
“I am delighted to be relaunching the SDG Champions programme for 2023-2024. We are facing major challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, with unprecedented pressures on our planet, economy and society, as well as the impacts brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now is the time to accelerate action towards achieving the goals, to build back better while leaving no-one behind.
“The SDG Champions Programme recognises that the SDGs are for everyone and that everyone can make a contribution to their success. Over 80 organisations applied to take part in the programme this year, underlining the readiness of Irish society to assist in ensuring that Ireland becomes a global leader in achieving the goals. Achieving the SDG targets by 2030 is a collective task that cannot be accomplished without partnership. My Department looks forward to a successful collaboration with this year’s champions, as we work together to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda in Ireland.”
The 26 champions appointed under this year’s programme consist of 22 newly appointed organisations, along with four former SDG Champions who have chosen to continue the role cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. Champions have been selected from across the public, private, community, voluntary, youth and NGO sectors and are represented by larger, national organisations and smaller, community groups.
For more on the 2023-2024 SDG Champions Programme, click here.
To view RTÉ on Climate 2023 – 2025, click here.