The Europe Sustainable Development Report 2025 (ESDR2025) provides an in-depth analysis of Europe's progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. Prepared by the SDG Transformation Center at the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) in Paris, this annual report serves as a critical tool for policymakers, researchers, and organizations working to advance sustainability in Europe.

A Comprehensive Assessment of Europe's Sustainability

Since 2019, the ESDR has tracked and evaluated the performance of European countries in relation to the SDGs. The 2025 edition includes:

• An updated SDG Index and Dashboards assessing 41 European countries, including all 27 EU member states, candidate countries, EFTA nations, and the United Kingdom.

• A refined methodology built upon global SDG Index standards, which were statistically audited by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC).

• Detailed country profiles, data visualizations, and interactive tools available online at sdgtransformationcenter.org.

Belgium’s Sustainability Performance in 2025

According to the latest findings, Belgium ranks 16th in the European SDG Index with a score of 72.2. While this marks an improvement from last year’s 71 points, Belgium has dropped one spot in the rankings, highlighting the need for further efforts in key sustainability areas.

Belgium continues to face challenges in:

• Responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) – ensuring sustainable resource use and waste reduction.

• Climate action (SDG 13) – mitigating environmental impact and enhancing resilience to climate change.

• Biodiversity and life below water (SDG 14) – protecting marine ecosystems and improving conservation efforts.

A Call for Stronger Commitments

As the new EU leadership (2024-2029) takes shape, the ESDR2025 underscores the importance of reinforcing policies that align with the 2030 Agenda. The European Commission and Parliament have reaffirmed their commitment to the SDGs, but significant challenges remain—particularly in securing the necessary investments for green and digital transitions.

The report emphasizes that achieving the SDGs requires collaborative action across governments, businesses, and civil society. With Belgium and other European nations striving to close sustainability gaps, ESDR2025 serves as a crucial benchmark for tracking progress and guiding future policy directions.

For more details, access the full report at sdgtransformationcenter.org.