28
to the UNSC indicator at the national level, for
about 15% of the agenda.
Los Angeles was one of the first cities worldwide to achieve platinum certification by WCCD
for ISO 37120. While its continued reporting will
be critical in measuring its progress against comparable cities in the world and identifying counterparts with whom to share best practices and
innovations, the indicators constitute only a subset of the wide range Los Angeles will need in
order to measure its progress on the targets in its
proposed framework.
Given the intense localization of its SDG
approach, Los Angeles will need to craft or identify unique indicators as it seeks to measure its
performance with maximum rigor. Several key
principles could help improve comparability as
choices on data metrics and methodology are
made: (1) apply WCCD indicators where directly
corresponding, (2) identify relevant indicators
that utilize data from nationally available sources
(e.g., census bureau data), and (3) identify indicators with internationally or nationally accepted
methodology and data.
3.5
Generalizing the Experience
of Los Angeles
Taken together, the factors underpinning the city’s
commitment may seem unique to Los Angeles, an
unusual mix of political, substantive, and personal
interests. Yet the considerations mirror those of any
city weighing the value proposition of the SDGs
against the investment of time and resources in
adapting them. Five key principles emerge based
on the Los Angeles experience:
• The SDGs represent a new language more
than new priorities. In many respects, Los
Angeles found it was already working on the
SDGs. The plans and priorities in place or
under development contained most of the
issues and aspirations reflected in the 2030
Agenda. Most communities are not starting
from scratch. The SDGs offer a framework to
help Los Angeles and other cities integrate
their diverse activities and priorities and incorporate them into a comprehensive vision.
• They offer a global outlook to local priorities.
Being an Olympic city is just one manifestation of the global purview of Los Angeles.
Situating its local experiences and aspirations
within an internationally recognized and
agreed framework reinforces this outlook.
Cities seeking to demonstrate a global perspective are likely to be similarly attracted,
given the chance it offers to articulate how
local progress demonstrates a measure of
responsibility for global solutions. In today’s
interconnected world, the SDGs also give Los
Angeles a common language to share aspirations, challenges, practices, and performance
with counterpart cities across the world.
• Political and technical comfort with goals and
data is necessary. Los Angeles’ commitment
to the SDGs builds upon existing data collection and reporting systems and even publicly
announced benchmarks. Its pursuit of the
SDGs puts the city in the forefront of counterparts nationwide creating evidence-based policy. At the same time, the SDGs invite public
accountability and transparency, so elected
and senior officials must demonstrate a willingness to expose their credibility and reputation based on their progress in reaching the
targets.
• Partnerships enable the agenda. In many
respects, local implementation of the SDGs
entails complexities that are not present at the
national level that at minimum require an
investment of staff and time. The commitment
by Los Angeles benefited from an injection of
capacity, resources, and leadership offered by
the Hilton Foundation, as well as the various
university partners. These were instrumental
in helping Los Angeles get underway. While
the city has committed to covering the staff
expense past the Hilton Foundation’s 2-year
commitment, further expanding the participation of external stakeholders will play an
important role in accelerating and advancing
progress toward the goals.
• Mayoral leadership sets the tone. Awareness
of the SDGs in the USA remains fairly low.
Mayor Garcetti’s full-throated and public support for taking on the SDGs, and the ability of
him and other senior city officials to articulate
T. Pipa
to the UNSC indicator at the national level, for
about 15% of the agenda.
Los Angeles was one of the first cities worldwide to achieve platinum certification by WCCD
for ISO 37120. While its continued reporting will
be critical in measuring its progress against comparable cities in the world and identifying counterparts with whom to share best practices and
innovations, the indicators constitute only a subset of the wide range Los Angeles will need in
order to measure its progress on the targets in its
proposed framework.
Given the intense localization of its SDG
approach, Los Angeles will need to craft or identify unique indicators as it seeks to measure its
performance with maximum rigor. Several key
principles could help improve comparability as
choices on data metrics and methodology are
made: (1) apply WCCD indicators where directly
corresponding, (2) identify relevant indicators
that utilize data from nationally available sources
(e.g., census bureau data), and (3) identify indicators with internationally or nationally accepted
methodology and data.
3.5
Generalizing the Experience
of Los Angeles
Taken together, the factors underpinning the city’s
commitment may seem unique to Los Angeles, an
unusual mix of political, substantive, and personal
interests. Yet the considerations mirror those of any
city weighing the value proposition of the SDGs
against the investment of time and resources in
adapting them. Five key principles emerge based
on the Los Angeles experience:
• The SDGs represent a new language more
than new priorities. In many respects, Los
Angeles found it was already working on the
SDGs. The plans and priorities in place or
under development contained most of the
issues and aspirations reflected in the 2030
Agenda. Most communities are not starting
from scratch. The SDGs offer a framework to
help Los Angeles and other cities integrate
their diverse activities and priorities and incorporate them into a comprehensive vision.
• They offer a global outlook to local priorities.
Being an Olympic city is just one manifestation of the global purview of Los Angeles.
Situating its local experiences and aspirations
within an internationally recognized and
agreed framework reinforces this outlook.
Cities seeking to demonstrate a global perspective are likely to be similarly attracted,
given the chance it offers to articulate how
local progress demonstrates a measure of
responsibility for global solutions. In today’s
interconnected world, the SDGs also give Los
Angeles a common language to share aspirations, challenges, practices, and performance
with counterpart cities across the world.
• Political and technical comfort with goals and
data is necessary. Los Angeles’ commitment
to the SDGs builds upon existing data collection and reporting systems and even publicly
announced benchmarks. Its pursuit of the
SDGs puts the city in the forefront of counterparts nationwide creating evidence-based policy. At the same time, the SDGs invite public
accountability and transparency, so elected
and senior officials must demonstrate a willingness to expose their credibility and reputation based on their progress in reaching the
targets.
• Partnerships enable the agenda. In many
respects, local implementation of the SDGs
entails complexities that are not present at the
national level that at minimum require an
investment of staff and time. The commitment
by Los Angeles benefited from an injection of
capacity, resources, and leadership offered by
the Hilton Foundation, as well as the various
university partners. These were instrumental
in helping Los Angeles get underway. While
the city has committed to covering the staff
expense past the Hilton Foundation’s 2-year
commitment, further expanding the participation of external stakeholders will play an
important role in accelerating and advancing
progress toward the goals.
• Mayoral leadership sets the tone. Awareness
of the SDGs in the USA remains fairly low.
Mayor Garcetti’s full-throated and public support for taking on the SDGs, and the ability of
him and other senior city officials to articulate
T. Pipa