The preponderance of public policies in the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals in Portuguese Local Government: the case of the Municipality of Covilhã

Purpose: This study aims to expose the importance of sustainable local development in creating favourable conditions for the community in general.Methodology: A qualitative study was carried out, involving two phases: conducting interviews, and document analysis.Results: The implementation of the SDGs leads to an increase in spending, so municipalities must be aware of this fact and make savings in other areas to correct any imbalances that may arise. Therefore, the focus on achieving the SDGs must also be accompanied by improvements in the efficiency of public services.Research limitations: The unavailability of data on the SDG targets and the need to cover a longer period of time was a relevant limitation to the development of the study.Practical implications: In order to achieve the SDGs, municipalities highlight the need to create interdisciplinary teams that define goals, monitor their fulfilment and propose new actions.Originality: This study contributes, both in terms of research and in terms of practical analysis, by assessing how sustainability can be achieved through the SDGs in the context of a local authority.Keywords: Sustainable Development; SDGs; Local Government; Public Sector; PortugalDOI: https://doi.org/10.58869/EJABM11(1)/01