The Sustainable Development Goals and Informal Lawmaking Processes

Abstract

AbstractThe Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with their lists of shared targets, are not a traditional means of lawmaking. Designed through an iterative process involving not just input from states, but also from other key actors, the SDGs reflect a valuable form of informal lawmaking. This chapter examines how the public nature of the SDGs has allowed for a broader and potentially deeper adoption of some of the targets than might have resulted from a traditional treaty negotiation. In particular, the chapter highlights how states have responded domestically by implementing new legislation/regulations, or at least reviewing existing legislation/regulations for effectiveness for some of the SDG ocean protection targets designated for Goal 14. The chapter also highlights a number of structured efforts by non-state actors, cooperating either with other non-state actors, or with state actors, to undertake progressive action to achieve SDG ocean protection targets.