Table 4 Results from grey literature searches, showing the efforts under the different Sustainable Development Goals

Authors (year): Fox and Macleod; Cabot Institute for the Environment (2019) [22]

Title: Bristol and the SDGs: a Voluntary Local Review of Progress 2019

Initiative type: actions

Initiative level: meso

SDG 1

(1.2 and 1.3)

• Lawrence Weston Community Transport Scheme provides low-cost transport to older adults and disabled residents to help them travel, socialise, and learn.

SDG 10

(10.1 to 10.4)

• The Bristol Dementia Action Alliance aims to improve awareness of issues around dementia to make Bristol a dementia-friendly city.

Authors (year): Bristol City Office (2017) [31]

Title: One City Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals

Initiative type: ambitions

Initiative level: meso

SDG 8

(8.5)

• Establish an Older people into work programme to support people aged 65 and over with work, social action, and volunteering to tackle social isolation and age-related poverty by 2019.

• Have all older people and disabled people provided with clear pathways back into employment or training by 2037.

• Increase the proportion of older people in employment, education, or volunteering by 30.0% from 2018 to 2039.

SDG 9

(not stated)

• Ensure that no older people in Bristol are digitally excluded; use digital technologies, activities, and information to support healthy, happy lives.

SDG 11

(not stated)

• Ensure that older people in Bristol have access to all available forms of public transport and are confident in getting around the city by 2036.

• Ensure that people in Bristol have affordable and easy access to appropriate health, social care, and well-being services within their communities by 2045.

• Increase the proportion of older people in employment education or volunteering by 50.0% from 2018 to 2047.

SDG 16

(16.1)

• Reduce fear of crime amongst older people in Bristol, so it is in line with the city average so that older people no longer feel disproportionately victimised by 2024.

Authors (year): Canterbury SDG Forum (2019) [20]

Title: Canterbury SDG Forum Reports on local implementation of the Goals

Initiative type: actions

Initiative level: meso

SDG 3

(3.8)

• Health and Wellbeing strategy aimed to ensure early assessment and treatment of people with dementia.

• Ageing Well strategy launched, which focuses on the provision of facilities for socially stimulating opportunities and activates for older people and offering services to support those with illness and care requirements.

Authors (year): HM Government (2019) [21]

Title: Voluntary national review of the progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals

Initiative type: actions

Initiative level: meso

SDG 1

(1.1 to 1.3)

• Scotland – Fairer Scotland for Older People: framework for action focuses on older people in their communities, service accessibility and financial security.

• Wales – Old People’s Commissioner for Wales and Older People promotes equality and justice; people aged over 60 have free transport.

• England – commitment to guarantee state pension increases.

SDG 3

(3.8)

• England – influenza vaccine is available for free for those aged 65 and above.

SDG 10

(not stated)

• Northern Ireland – Healthy Ageing programme emphasises the needs of older people in policy-making and promotes the use of the Age-friendly Environments in Europe tool for establishing age-friendly programmes.

SDG 11

(11.1 and 11.2)

• Scotland – Affordable Housing Supply Programme to provide specialist housing so older adults can stay in their homes.

• Northern Ireland – Inclusive Mobility Transport Advisory Committee to help design accessible and inclusive transport for older people.

Authors (year): Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2018) [24]

Title: Towards a Sustainable and Resilient Singapore

Initiative type: actions

Initiative level: macro

SDG 1

(not stated)

• The Central Provident Fund provides financial security in retirement.

• Silver Support Scheme, which provides low-income nationals aged 65 and above quarterly cash pay-outs.

• ComCare Long-Term Assistance Scheme provides financial, medical, and rental assistance to those unable to work due to old age.

• Medifund Silver provides assistance with medical bills for low-income older adults.

SDG 3

(not stated)

• Agency for Integrated Care helps pensioners access eldercare services.

SDG 10

(not stated)

• Workfare Income Supplement scheme supplements the wages of older low-wage workers and tops up their retirement fund.

SDG 11

(not stated)

• Transport initiatives (barrier-free entrances, tactile guidance system, and priority queue zones) to guarantee accessibility for older adults.

• Silver Zones with road safety features to make streets safer for older adults.

Authors (year): Department of Economic and Social Affairs United Nations (2018) [23]

Title: Ageing Related Policies and Priorities in the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – as reported in the Voluntary National Reviews of 2016, 2017 and 2018

Initiative type: actions

Initiative level: macro

SDG 1

(1.1 to 1.3)

• More than 40 countries had social services and protection programs (or their expansion) for older persons to reduce their risk of poverty.

SDG 2

(2.2 and 2.4)

• Nine country-specific initiatives that address food deprivation and nutrition in older people.

SDG 3

(3.3, 3.4, 3.8 and 3.C)

• Older persons considered in prevention and health care strengthening programmes (in more than 28 countries).

• 18 countries had plans and programmes targeted at improving the health, care, and wellbeing of older adults.

SDG 4

(4.3, 4.4, and 4.6)

• Lifelong learning programmes for older persons rarely reported (only in three countries).

SDG 5

(5.2, 5.4, and 5.5)

• Only three countries focused on ageing-related strategies connected to gender equality.

SDG 8

(8.5 and 8.8)

• Some schemes (in 16 or more countries) have been launched to encourage the participation of older persons in the labour market.

SDG 10

(10.2 and 10.3)

• Social security, research and protection programmes, policies, and social activities for older adults launched in more than 15 countries.

SDG 11

(11.2 and 11.7)

• Initiatives that aim to provide safe and affordable transport launched in some states.

• City planning to meet the needs of older people, ensuring convenient and efficient access to facilities.

SDG 13

(not stated)

• One country has initiated training in natural risk management and relief targeted at older persons.

Authors (year): United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) (2017) [28]

Title: Ageing in ESCWA Member States. Third Review and Appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA)

Initiative type: actions

Initiative level: macro

SDG 1

(not stated)

• 56.0% of member states report schemes to address poverty, but many are not specific to the needs of older adults.

SDG 3

(not stated)

• Many health-related policies and programmes for older persons are targeted at prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases; home care and mental health programmes are scarce.

SDG 4

(not stated)

• 78.0% of the member states have literary policies and programmes that include older persons, but only some target older adults specifically.

SDG 8

(not stated)

• 78.0% of the member states encourage early retirement, and 44.0% have schemes to encourage labour-force participation of older adults.

SDG 11

(not stated)

• All member states have programmes and policies for age-friendly transport, mobility, or accessibility.

SDG 16

(16.6 and 16.7)

• Institutional arrangements on ageing established in all member states, with national committees and strategies adopted in most countries.

• All member states have introduced programmes or policies for neglect, violence, and abuse but few specifically protect older adults.

Authors (year): United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (2020) [26]

Title: Gender equality in ageing societies

Initiative type: recommendations

Initiative level: uncategorised

SDG 5

(not stated)

Recommendations for a life-course approach to ageing and prevention of poverty in women:

1. Prevent gendered disadvantages over the life course through equal entitlements for care-related leave and equal pay for equal work.

2. Reforms to the care sector, like affordable child and eldercare.

3. Pension reforms where periods of informal care are recognised.

4. Reduced gender segregation in occupations and equal pay for equal work.

5. Affordable access to health and social care services and financial support to those with lower income.

Authors (year): United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (2020) [25]

Title: Ageing in sustainable and smart cities

Initiative type: recommendations

Initiative level: uncategorised.

SDG 1

(not stated)

SDG 3

(3.6)

SDG 11

(11.4 and 11.7)

1. Allowing ageing in place through collaboration at the city level and flexible homes (which adapt to changes in functionality).

2. Affordable housing through state-funded security systems and subsidised housing sectors.

3. Securing home environments through actions at the home.

4. Increasing access to and availability of green spaces and safe public places, with the involvement of older residents in planning.

5. Ensure that transport is accessible, affordable, safe, and secure through practices like Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans, integration of pedestrian requirements, and adaptation of transportation to the needs of older people.

Authors (year): Stakeholder Group on Ageing (2019) [27]

Title: Empowering People and Ensuring Inclusiveness and Equality

Initiative type: recommendations

Initiative level: uncategorised.

SDG 4

(4.3, 4.6, and 4.7)

• Need for education for older persons, ensuring basic literacy and numeracy, through community initiatives.

SDG 8

(8.3)

• Policies that promote gender equality in the labour market and focus on both informal and formal markets are needed.

• Anti-age discrimination legislation to reduce inequality in retention, training, and recruitment of older workers.

• Removal of age restrictive policies to avoid financial exclusion of older people (to microcredit, loans, and financial investments).

SDG 10

(10.1 and 10.3)

• Adequate pensions systems, especially for older women.

• Social protection for access to affordable health services.

• Policies and programmes to improve political and social participation of older people in communities.

• Legal instruments to combat ageism and discrimination and protect the rights of older adults.

SDG 17

(17.18)

• Disaggregation of national and regional data by age and other dimensions (sex, disability, and geographic location).