As only 17% of global SDG targets are on track, governments must act fast—and effectively. This OECD Policy Coherence Scan takes a close look at Portugal’s approach to delivering on the 2030 Agenda, focusing on how different government structures, policies and plans are aligning to implement the Sustainable Development Goals. The report assesses Portugal’s progress through the lens of the OECD Recommendation on Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development, highlighting strong legal and planning frameworks and high-level co-ordination mechanisms. It also identifies challenges, including the need for a more systematic approach to transboundary impacts and vertical coherence across levels of government. With Portugal’s National Roadmap for Sustainable Development 2030 currently under government review, the report provides timely insights to support more integrated, forward-looking policies. From strategic foresight to capacity-building and data monitoring, Portugal’s experience offers practical lessons for governments aiming to break down silos and build sustainable futures.
OECD Policy Coherence Scan of Portugal
Abstract
Executive summary
As the world moves rapidly towards 2030, governments around the world are faced with a confluence of pressing challenges that threaten to slow or even reverse their progress in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Climate change and biodiversity loss, wars and persistent socio-economic inequalities severely impact both people and the planet. Out of 169 SDG targets, only 17% are on track, according to The United Nations Global Sustainable Development Report 2024.
Overcoming these challenges requires immediate and integrated responses that transcend traditional policy silos and bring about transformative change. It requires urgent action at the global, national and local level. It requires policy coherence for sustainable development (PCSD).
This report presents an assessment of Portugal’s mechanisms to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in line with the OECD Council Recommendation on Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development (PCSD, hereafter “the PCSD Recommendation”). It analyses Portugal’s structures and processes according to three overarching pillars for policy coherence: political commitment and long-term vision; mechanisms to address policy interactions; and flexible tools to anticipate and address policy impacts.
Sustained political leadership and commitment to fostering an inclusive environment conducive to implementing the SDGs are critical for success. This involves crystallising priority areas, bolstering the resilience of these strategic commitments against political fluctuations, and ensuring continuity through successive governmental tenures.
In Portugal, since January 2023, the member of the Government responsible for the area of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers is competent, at the governmental level, to co-ordinating and monitoring the implementation of the SDGs domestically. This is without prejudice to the competencies of those in the government responsible for foreign affairs regarding external matters and co-operation policy, as well as of the other governmental areas within the scope of sectoral implementation.
The proposed Roadmap for Sustainable Development, currently under revision by the government, provides a clear path for collective action and accelerated progress. Yet, the effective implementation of strategic plans and programmes for sustainable development needs to be underpinned by strong institutional mechanisms for managing policy interactions. This calls for co‑ordination structures and processes to optimise synergies and avoid trade-offs, across both sectors and levels of government.
Resolution 5/2023 of the Council of Ministers identifies the Centre for Planning and Evaluation of Public Policies (PLANAPP) as the analytical backbone for advancing policy coherence throughout the public administration. In this capacity, PLANAPP seeks to enhance policy coherence through the alignment of national plans and policy instruments with the SDGs. PLANAPP also co-ordinates REPLAN, an important strategic network established to enhance policy development and strategic planning across the public administration. The Camões, I.P., under the remit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, is responsible for the implementation of the international dimension of the 2030 Agenda regarding development co-operation. The National Institute of Administration (INA) plays a key role in building a more coherent and future-ready public administration by promoting the capacity-building of public sector employees and investing in innovative research with impact on public policy. Subnational engagement and vertical coherence are fostered through strategies such as regional operational programmes and local-level development strategies and by mechanisms such as the Conselho de Concertação Territorial and the Comissões de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional.
Any government wishing to implement the SDGs coherently and cost-effectively must have flexible tools and data for anticipating, addressing and monitoring the impacts of its policies and actions domestically and internationally. Statistics Portugal is central to statistically monitoring progress towards the SDGs, including on global SDG indicator 17.14.1 Number of mechanisms in place to enhance PCSD, while the High-Level Monitoring Committee oversees all government actions for SDG implementation, including monitoring and reporting activities.
The above is a testament to the Portuguese government’s concerted efforts to implement the SDGs and enhance policy coherence. However, challenges remain, and there is room for improvement.
This report aims to guide Portugal on its continued journey towards 2030 and beyond.
There is a strong commitment to the SDGs, and the Centre for Planning and Evaluation of Public Policies (PLANAPP) seeks to drive PCSD in practice from the centre of government.
National laws such as the Major Options Law and strategies such as Portugal 2030 foster sustainable development in the short and medium term, but not beyond 2030.
High-level co-ordination mechanisms are identified in Resolution 5/2023, driving efforts to align national policies and instruments with the SDGs.
Strategies and plans for local-level coherence and coherence between levels of government (vertical coherence) exist, yet a more systematic and structured approach for subnational engagement is lacking.
Portugal is committed to global frameworks for sustainable development, but there is no systematic consideration of transboundary impacts.
Adopt the National Roadmap for Sustainable Development 2030, including its Action Plan for Policy Coherence, which contains several measures that would address some of the gaps identified in this report.
Drawing on PLANAPPs studies of Megatrends 2050, consider developing a longer-term vision for sustainable development in Portugal, including through multi-stakeholder engagement and consultations.
Provide PLANAPP with clear authority and resources to oversee and implement PCSD commitments; codify the mandates and roles for enhancing PCSD within and between key co-ordinating entities and networks, e.g. PLANAPP, the Network of Planning and Foresight Services of Public Administration (REPLAN), and the High-Level Monitoring Committee (HLMC).
Promote integrated planning processes that systematically involve all levels of government from the outset; leverage the role and function of the CCDRs (Comissões de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional).
Introduce mandatory requirements to consider economic, social, gender and environmental impacts on other countries in the development of strategies and plans.
