Action at the local level by local governments is essential to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets by the target year 2030. One thing needed to promote such action is a database that allows the monitoring of local-level actions and a platform for exchanging information. We therefore developed the online Local SDGs Platform to enable such monitoring and information exchange.

The Local SDGs Platform, which was created to support local-level actions aimed at achieving the SDGs, comprises three main functions. Function 1 (A database to enable monitoring of local-level actions aimed at achieving the SDG): Indicators to measure progress are essential for promoting local-level actions aimed at achieving SDGs. To support integrated activities that incorporate environmental, social, and economic perspectives, we compiled a wide array of information into a database and organized this information according to each of the 17 SDGs. Function 2 (A national map of local governments that have adopted SDG-related policies): Some of the more forward-thinking local governments have developed Local 2030 Agendas or Local SDGs by localizing the 2030 Agenda to match their respective local conditions and circumstances. We created a map compiling examples of such forward-thinking policies by local governments across the country. Function 3 (Interviews with local governments that have adopted forward-thinking SDG policies): The sharing of successful actions is essential for achieving the SDGs. To this end, we conducted interviews with individuals responsible for implementing forward-thinking local-level actions and published these interviews in the form of open-access articles that can be read by the general public.

The platform was developed in consultation with various stakeholders, including the related government ministries, and businesses and local governments throughout Japan. The Local SDG Indicators used to monitor the progress of local-level actions aimed at achieving the SDGs were validated by researchers and other experts at universities and national research institutes.

Over the past decade, we have conducted research (funded in part by national research grants) on efforts by local governments around the country to achieve sustainable development. With the adoption of the 2030 Agenda in September 2015, we began various initiatives to support local-level actions aimed at achieving the SDGs. Realizing that a scheme for monitoring progress toward achieving the SDGs was needed, we developed a series of Local SDG Indicators that were tailored to circumstances and conditions unique to Japan. In addition, we compiled data from national statistics covering all 47 prefectures as well as 1,750 local governments into a local government database. This database enables users to easily query the circumstances of local governments throughout the country, thereby reducing the amount of effort required by local government staff to collect data while supporting efforts by local governments to implement evidence-based policy making.

As of February 2019, the Local SDG Platform is already being used by several hundreds local governments and companies. The database compiles and provides access to data from all local governments in Japan and thus conforms to the SDG principle of “leaving no one behind.” We have received requests and questions regarding data use from local governments around the country, providing evidence that the database is contributing to the formulation of policies that incorporate SDG principles. Although the database was originally developed with the goal of supporting evidence-based policy making by local governments, it is also being used by businesses at a higher-than-expected rate. According to interviews that we conducted with business representatives, the database is useful for identifying potential local government partners. As illustrated by this example, the Local SDG Platform is also contributing to strengthening partnerships aimed at achieving the SDGs.

One of the biggest challenges in achieving the SDGs is selecting appropriate indicators of progress and collecting relevant data. No matter how good a proposed indicator might be, progress cannot be measured if data does not exist. Accordingly, when developing the Local SDG Platform, we first conducted a detailed examination of each of the 232 indicators proposed by the UN Statistics Division. Indicators found to be unsuitable to Japan’s unique conditions and circumstances were either modified or replaced with different indicators as needed. The resulting set of Local SDG Indicators was developed with the cooperation of countless local government employees across the country and thus directly reflects the views of those who now use the database. This led to a broad user base and the overall success of the database.

The Local SDG Platform database, which contains environmental, social, and economic data for local governments across Japan (47 prefectures and 1,750 municipalities), will be updated in conjunction with future national and other censuses, and is expected to continue to function as a powerful tool for monitoring progress toward achieving the SDGs. The accumulation of time-series data will allow us to identify trends (positive or negative) that we plan to provide as feedback to local government stakeholders responsible for formulating policy. The costs of developing the platform program and collecting data are negligible compared to the benefits to be gained. We have already started to enlist local governments outside of Japan, in East Asia and elsewhere, to help with the collection of data ahead of plans to expand the platform internationally.

The principle of “think globally, act locally” is essential if we are to achieve the SDGs by 2030. The 2030 Agenda and SDGs must be localized to match local conditions and circumstances, and local-level actions across the country must be accelerated. To this end, monitoring the current status and visualizing the progress of measures is extremely beneficial; therefore, it is necessary to develop a platform and other tools to make it possible to do so. The Local SDG Platform that was developed enables such monitoring and visualization while contributing to the achievement of the SDGs by providing a means for local governments across the country to share examples of successful actions.

The Local SDG Platform can be access at the following URL. https://kawakubo-lab.jp/?lang=en (English is also available). Government stakeholders and experts have awarded the research related to the development of the Local SDG Platform the highest grade of S (Excellent Progress). https://www.erca.go.jp/suishinhi/seika/pdf/seika_4_h30/1RF-1701.pdf (Japanese). Articles related to the development of the Local SDG Platform and the support of actions at the local level have appeared in the following newspaper. The Nikkan Kensetsu Kogyo Shinbun, p.2-(4), 15th June 2018. http://kawakubo-lab.ws.hosei.ac.jp/doc/decn180615_p4.pdf (Japanese)