Council of Europe work to promote states action to make human rights effective in the business sphere (and across relevant areas of government activity) as well as on environment and human rights are also relevant in relation to SDG12. A Workshop on "Implementing human rights and environmental due diligence" was organised in December 2022 in the framework of the CDDH 97th meeting, enabling to discuss notably the Committee of Ministers’ CM/Rec(2016)3 on human rights and business and CM/Rec(2022)20 on human rights and the protection of the environment, as well as the role of the Council of Europe in ensuring a meaningful dialogue with business enterprises and stakeholders. Work is continuing on these matters both at the intergovernmental/standard-setting level (including in CDDH-ENV) and through co-operation activities.

The approach of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities is based on three key principles: achieving SDGs is the shared responsibility of all levels of government; local and regional authorities must have the necessary competences and financial autonomy to achieve the goals in their respective areas; citizens must always remain at the heart of the action.

For the sustainability of our societies, it is important to ensure resource efficiency, access to basic services and a good quality of life for all. Congress contributes to the economic, environmental, social and competitive development of cities, which must opt for sustainable consumption and production.

The Congress adopted the following texts in relation to SDG 12: