São Caetano do Sul, in São Paulo's ABC region, tops the ranking of the country's most sustainable cities. The unprecedented survey reveals that the city, already known for leading the HDI (Human Development Index) in Brazil, is now first among the 5,570 Brazilian municipalities regarding the implementation of the UN's SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).
The data is from the first Performance Map of Brazilian Municipalities, which evaluates the 17 Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved by 2030.
All cities in the top 10 are located in the state of São Paulo. They are: São Caetano, Jundiaí, Valinhos, Saltinho, Taguaí, Vinhedo, Cerquilho, Sertãozinho, Limeira, and Borá. See the complete ranking of municipalities.
On a scale of zero to 100, São Caetano scored 65.62—enough to secure first place. Here, you can see which SDGs have been met and where major challenges remain.
“We received this news with great joy. São Caetano do Sul has long been working to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our Government Plan was entirely based on actions that prepare the city for the future, using technical management, high technology, and governance to ensure the social and economic development of a municipality that already has the best Human Development Index (HDI) in Brazil and is moving to further improve its residents' quality of life,” says Mayor José Auricchio Júnior.
The municipality highlights progress in reducing maternal and infant mortality, AIDS mortality, dengue incidence, the allocation of the municipal budget to healthcare, and hepatitis detection, among other areas.
“Even before the pandemic, the city already invested 30% of its budget in healthcare. Last year, we closed with 33.5% of the department's budget allocated. We invested more than double what is mandated by the Federal Constitution (15%),” explains the municipal health secretary, Regina Maura Zetone.
In addition, the average public healthcare spending in São Caetano is R$ 2,300 per inhabitant, almost double the national average of R$ 1,300.
Some SDGs, such as Affordable and Clean Energy; Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; and Life Below Water, were 100% achieved.
“All of our residents have access to electricity, treated water, and selective waste collection. We have 100% of sewage collected and treated. In addition, investments in quality education have earned us the Illiteracy-Free Municipality seal and led to constant progress, with internet access in all schools, continuous teacher training, and improved infrastructure. We are preparing our society for new times,” concludes the mayor.
See the list of the 30 most sustainable cities in Brazil below:
Via CicloVivo.
This article was written by Marcia Sousa. The translation is powered by AI.
