The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted in 2015, aim to promote global progress across 17 key areas by 2030. However, recent assessments indicate that progress towards achieving these goals has been slow, particularly in areas related to the environment and biodiversity. Despite commitments from world leaders to accelerate efforts, a lack of concrete actions on the ground remains a concern. Scholarly research suggests that while the SDGs have had some discursive and normative impacts, transformative political effects at the national and local levels have been limited. To address this, a more systemic approach is needed, identifying trade-offs and maximizing co-benefits while considering regional and national priorities. It is crucial that governments prioritize sustainability in their policies and actions, particularly in an upcoming election year where many countries will go to the polls.