Local Currencies and the Sustainable Development Goals

LCs can actively participate to fulfill the goal 

LCs can be improved to achieve the goal 

Goal 1. No Poverty 

"End poverty in all its forms everywhere"  

Via donations of LCs to charity programs (e.g. the Lewes food banks )

LCs could be provided to everyone in a form of a basic income, which would allow people with low or no income to afford locally produced goods.

Goal 2. Zero hunger 

"End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture" 

Food bank programs can be put in place through the use of LCs (e.g. the Lewes food banks )

LCs strongly promote sustainable agriculture practices through partnerships with local farmers. Successful and diverse local food production is the best way to prevent hunger.

Thus, in case of a basic income scheme, LCs could improve the nutrition of people who cannot afford high quality food (e.g. organic).

Goal 3. Good health and well-being for people 

"Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages" 

LCs  : 

Encourage residents to shop locally and engage with local shops

Promote better quality food at the local markets

Encourage people to shop for seasonal produce thus reducing food miles and the carbon footprint.

Support the establishment of cultural events and get together

Goal 4. Quality education 

"Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all" 

Democratize the economy by giving the knowledge to citizens to become proactive in setting-up their own monetary system.

Encourage people to think about money, where it comes from and how money can be used for good through communication campaigns and workshops.

Goal 5. Gender equality

"Achieve gender equality and empower women and girls" 

At the moment, no local currency is set up to fulfill this goal.

However, the Lewis Pound community plan to address the gender issue by dedicating a new issue note to the role of women.

Goal 6. Clean water and sanitation

"Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all" 

At the moment, no local currency is set up to fulfill this goal. But monetary LCs found could be used to finance water management.

Goal 7. Affordable and clean energy 

"Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all" 

Building partnership with renewable energy firms (e.g. OVESCO and the Lewes Pound)

Goal 8. Decent work and economic growth 

"Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all" 

Promote shop local, support the living wage of local producers

Support and publicise local independent shops and traders

Goal 9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

"Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation" 

Promoting local business through sponsorship and being sponsored, issuing points and list of participating local businesses.

Goal 10. Reducing inequalities 

"Reduce income inequality within and among countries" 

Providing a level playing field for local businesses by providing free support and promotion for them.

One of the most interesting potentials of LCs is to reduce inequalities within a country by providing a basic income.

Goal 11. Sustainable cities and communities 

"Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable" 

A successful LC could have the potential of helping cities to finance their own infrastructures, employing local agencies and materials by, for instance, introducing local currencies within the tax system (e.g. companies give a percentage in LC to the city).

Goal 12. Responsible consumption and production 

"Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns" 

One of the main strengths of LCs is their capability of relocalising the economy. Sustainability is improved by reducing the tremendous amount of CO₂ emissions caused by globalised production chains. In this regard, LCs also strongly support Goal 13. Additionally, use of LCs can promote organic agriculture and support ethical companies or products (e.g. second hand shops). 

Goal 13. Climate action 

"Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts by regulating emissions and promoting developments in renewable energy" 

Raise awareness of climate change causes and adaptation.

See Target 12.

Goal 14. Life below water

"Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development" 

LCs can be used as a support traditional fishery and Marine National Parks.

Goal 15. Life on land

"Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss" 

LCs promote sustainable land management and so play a role regarding desertification, land degradation and biodiversity loss including their services (e.g. insects and pollination).

Goal 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

"Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels"

Emphasis democracy, and so, equality and justice.

Goal 17. Partnerships for the goals

"Strengthen the means of implementation & revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development" 

Strengthen the sustainable local network at a national scale.