The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal set of 17 goals, 169 targets, and 231 unique indicators established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 as a part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These goals aim to address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, and peace and justice.
Detailed Description
The SDGs were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by 2030. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved, with progress measured through a set of standardized indicators. They are a successor to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), expanding upon the previous goals by including a broader array of objectives encompassing economic, social, and environmental dimensions.
The 17 SDGs
- No Poverty: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
- Zero Hunger: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
- Good Health and Well-being: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
- Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
- Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
- Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
- Affordable and Clean Energy: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
- Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
- Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.
- Reduced Inequality: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
- Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
- Responsible Consumption and Production: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
- Climate Action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
- Life Below Water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.
- Life on Land: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt, and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.
- Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
- Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.
Historical Context
The concept of sustainable development was first hinted at in the 1987 Brundtland Report, which defined sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The SDGs were born out of the Rio+20 Conference in 2012 and were formally adopted at the UN Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015 through UN Resolution A/RES/70/1: Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Types and Special Considerations
Economic Dimensions
Promoting sustained economic growth, higher levels of productivity, and technological innovation.
Social Dimensions
Fostering social inclusion across all segments of the population, mitigating inequality, and improving living standards.
Environmental Dimensions
Addressing climate change, conserving biodiversity, and promoting sustainable practices.
Examples
- SDG 1: No Poverty: Implementation of social protection systems and measures to achieve substantial poverty reduction.
- SDG 13: Climate Action: Nations commitment to the Paris Agreement aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Applicability
The SDGs are applicable at both national and international levels. Governments, NGOs, private sector entities, and individuals all play crucial roles in implementing strategies to meet these goals. The adaptability and universality of the SDGs make them relevant in diverse contexts ranging from local community initiatives to global diplomatic efforts.
Comparisons
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
- Scope: The MDGs focused on reducing extreme poverty and other basic human rights issues from 2000 to 2015.
- Breadth: The SDGs encompass a broader range of economic, social, and environmental issues than the MDGs.
Related Terms
- Sustainability: Practices that ensure long-term ecological balance.
- Global Goals: Informal term often used to refer to the SDGs.
FAQs
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References
- United Nations. “Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” UN General Assembly, 2015.
- Brundtland Commission. “Our Common Future.” Oxford University Press, 1987.
- United Nations. “The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2020.”
Summary
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global goals set by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 aimed to be achieved by 2030. These goals address a wide range of issues critical to sustainable development, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice. By understanding and engaging with the SDGs, various stakeholders can contribute to creating a more sustainable and equitable world.
