MIL OSI Translation. Government of the Republic of France statements from French to English –
Source: Canton of Neuchatel Switzerland
09/27/2024
The Neuchâtel State Council has adopted its strategy for sustainable development. In line with the vision of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, it formalizes the canton’s commitments and objectives in terms of sustainability for the next 10 years. This document will constitute a reference framework for strengthening the coherence and coordination of cantonal public policies.
Action in favor of sustainable development is a mandate enshrined in the Constitution and the Agenda 21 Law of the canton of Neuchâtel. Adopted on September 18, 2024, the 2030 Strategy for Sustainable Development is the first to concretize this mandate. Through it, the Council of State demonstrates its desire to converge cantonal public policies and the functioning of the State towards greater sustainability. The latter is an important requirement in its decision-making and the projects it deploys to respond to the social, economic and environmental challenges of our time.
Conducted from 15 June to 18 September 2023, the public consultation enabled the government’s project to be consolidated, thanks to the contributions of 60 state stakeholders. The desire to place the strategy in the international framework of the 2030 Agenda and the vision of a more sustainable and prosperous society detailed through the 8 fields of action were confirmed. The ten-year basis for revisions of the strategy was maintained, which guarantees long-term planning security and greater continuity between legislatures. Monitoring of progress made via the federal Cercleindicateurs system remains the reference for the time being, but will be supplemented by cantonal indicators.
Over the next 10 years, the State Council’s commitments will primarily concern the following areas: “climate and biodiversity”, “solidarity”, “prosperity” and “support for change”. The government sees a particular need for action and coordination in these areas. For example, the State Council wants to quadruple the production of renewable energy by 2035. It intends to develop the employability of job seekers, increase the residential and economic attractiveness of the canton and promote the actions of its stakeholders through the Cantonal Day for Sustainable Development.
In order to ensure a legal anchoring for the canton’s sustainability policy, the Council of State is proposing a new Law on public action for sustainable development (LDD) aimed at replacing the current Agenda 21 Law. This proposal is submitted to the Grand Council.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.