Better Policies for Sustainable Development 2016
A New Framework for Policy Coherence

This report introduces the Framework for Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development (PCSD) - a screening tool that aims to support governments in designing and implementing coherent policies. It explores policy coherence in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and suggests options for monitoring and tracking progress in SDG target 17.14, which calls on countries to "enhance policy coherence for sustainable development. The report also includes contributions from member states on their policy mechanisms and institutional arrangements for implementing the SDGs at the national level.
Aligning policy coherence for development to the 2030 Agenda
Taking action to address the potential negative effects of policies, while at the same time supporting development objectives, has been the main focus of policy coherence for development (PCD). More recently, with the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, all UN Members – including OECD countries – have committed to enhance policy coherence for sustainable development (PCSD). This chapter explores briefly the experience of OECD countries over the past ten years in putting in place institutional mechanisms for promoting PCD. It attempts to identify general lessons and good practices that could be relevant for building institutional mechanisms for coherence that are better adapted to the vision and needs of the 2030 Agenda, and for shifting from PCD towards PCSD. The analysis herein is informed by desk-based research and by the experience of the OECD-PCD Unit in working with some members and partners on how to apply PCSD in the implementation of the SDGs.