Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The first thing I’ve recognized that the movement of sustainable development is the same age as me. It started in early 1992 when at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, more than 178 countries adopted Agenda 21, a comprehensive plan of action to build a global partnership for sustainable development to improve human lives and protect the environment. After many years of work on that topic Agenda 21 were reaffirmed. Current version The 2030 Agenda were negotiated in 2015 based on the post-2015 development agenda. The process culminated in the subsequent adoption of The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with 17 SDGs at its core, at the UN Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. 

For clear understanding of Sustainable Development strategy important to know the basis of 17 SDGs, which are an urgent call for action by all countries.

Goal 1 : No poverty

End poverty in all its forms everywhere. To be concrete was set an indicator for poverty, currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day. 

Goal 2: Zero hunger

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. As the human population continues to grow, much more effort and innovation will be needed in the nearest future in order to sustainably increase agricultural production; decrease food losses and waste.

Goal 3: Good health and well-being for people

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages is essential to sustainable development. The main targets are reducing some of the common killers associated with child and maternal mortality; to increasing access to clean water and sanitation; to reduce malaria, tuberculosis, polio and the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Goal 4: Quality education

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. More than half of children and adolescents worldwide are not meeting minimum proficiency standards in reading and mathematics. 

Goal 5: Gender equality

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

Some forms of discrimination against women and girls are diminishing, gender inequality continues to hold women back and deprives them of basic rights and opportunities.

Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. That will protect people from disease and enable societies to be more productive economically. 

Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. The importance of increasing the share of renewable energy to be pointed out here. 

Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. Here important to reduce youth unemployment and protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers.

Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation. Manufacturing is a major source of employment.

Goal 10: Reducing inequalities

Reduce income inequality within and among countries. To succeed in this topic will help implementation the principle of special and differential treatment for developing countries, in particular least developed countries (use zero-tariff imports from least developed countries and developing countries).

Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Main targets are to ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums, as well as provide access to safe, affordable and sustainable transport systems; universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces.

Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. The targets include using eco-friendly production methods and reducing the amount of waste, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

Goal 13: Climate action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts by regulating emissions and promoting developments in renewable energy. The world continues to experience rising sea levels, extreme weather conditions and increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases.

Goal 14: Life below water

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.The target is to prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds. Individuals can help the oceans by reducing their energy consumption and use of plastics. 

Goal 15: Life on land

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss. E.g. this Goal can be partly reached by restoring degraded forests and land lost to drought and flood.

Goal 16: 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. The Goal will be met by reducing violent crime, sex trafficking, forced labor, and child abuse. 

Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development. This goal supposed to be a basis for achieving each of the 16 previous Goals. It is used to remind all the countries, nations and organizations that they have to cooperate instead of compete.

Achieving all the 17 goals is hampered by growing inequality, increasingly fragile statehood, and the impacts of climate change. Nevertheless it is not the reason to give up! It is just us who responsible for the future of the planet!