West Bengal showed a marginal improvement in its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) ranking, achieving an overall score of 72.1 in 2023-24, compared to 70 in 2022-23 and 62 in 2021-22. According to the latest State of India’s Environment Report 2025 by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), Bengal ranked 13th among 28 Indian states, with notable progress in some SDGs while lagging behind in others. Uttarakhand topped the rankings with a score of 79.2, while Bihar was at the bottom with 56.9.
The report was released on Feb 14 at the Anil Agarwal Dialogue ’25 in Nimli, Rajasthan, by former Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, and CSE director general Sunita Narain. It highlights India’s efforts to align SDGs with flagship govt schemes, emphasising the urgency to achieve 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“The clock is ticking,” said Narain. “India must bridge the data and policy gaps to meet the 2030 Agenda effectively.” The UN General Assembly designed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. The SDGs are a part of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
West Bengal performed well in certain SDGs, ranking first in SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water) among coastal states. It also secured the 4th position in SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). However, the state struggled in critical areas, ranking 22nd in SDG 1 (No Poverty), 17th in SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), 21st in SDG 5 (Gender Equality), 25th in SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and 26th in SDG 13 (Climate Action).
The SDGs are a part of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
West Bengal performed well in certain SDGs, ranking first in SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water) among coastal states. It also secured the 4th position in SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). However, the state struggled in critical areas, ranking 22nd in SDG 1 (No Poverty), 17th in SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), 21st in SDG 5 (Gender Equality), 25th in SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and 26th in SDG 13 (Climate Action).