The European Green Deal in the global sustainability context

The world is lagging behind in the progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and facing global challenges such as climate change and environmental degradation. Initiatives such as the European Green Deal (EGD) are examples of how science-based policies can promote sustainability at global level. The EGD builds on the sustainability discussion held in the last decades and the related scientific support. This points out the need for decoupling economic growth from resource use and environmental impacts to stay within the planetary boundaries, which can be supported by sustainability assessment methods, such as life cycle sustainability assessment. The EGD, as well as the lesson from the 2008-09 financial crisis, also offers a global reference for shaping sustainable and resilient economies in the recovery from the Covid-19 crisis. However, multilateral agreements, international alliances and partnerships, as well as long-term commitments, should be further promoted to make a global impact.