What are the sustainable development goals (SDGs)?
What are the sustainable development goals (SDGs)?
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), established by the United Nations in 2015, aim to create a better and more equitable world by 2030. These 17 global goals cover issues like education, gender equality, and environmental sustainability.
The Purpose of the SDGs
The overall purpose of the SDGs is to create a better world, and a better life for all, by 2030.
The goals provide a universal framework for all countries to follow and work towards. The framework addresses global challenges like climate change, inequality and social issues.
The SDGs are at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was agreed and adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015.
History
The SDGs are the successor to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). By 2015 the MDGs had increased primary education rates, with many more girls in school. They lifted over one billion people out of extreme poverty and more than halved the mortality rate for children under five [1].
The SDGs were put in place to build on and go beyond this success. They recognise that a lot more work is needed. Especially to fight gender inequality, poverty, and climate change.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global effort to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity and peace for all by 2030. The 17 interconnected goals aim to balance social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Achieving the SDGs requires the teamwork, resources, and creativity of everyone in society.
End poverty in all its forms everywhere (SDG 1)
Key targets of SDG1 are to end extreme poverty and cut poverty rates in half. It states the need for everyone to have equal access to things like basic services and land. The goal also focuses on building resilience to environmental, social and economic disasters. Along with creating support programmes and policy changes to help end poverty.
Zero Hunger (SDG 2)
The aim of Zero Hunger is to make sure that every person on earth has enough safe and healthy food to eat by the year 2030. Some of the reasons why some people don't have enough food are poverty, climate change, and conflict. To address this, zero hunger supports sustainable farming and fairer food distribution systems.
Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3)
SDG 3 includes a wide range of targets aimed at improving health outcomes. These include supporting mental health and wellbeing and lowering child deaths. It also focuses on accessible, quality and universal health services for all.
Quality Education (SDG 4)
Giving people the chance to learn, and keep learning, throughout their lives is key to SDG4. Everyone should have equal, good-quality, and free primary and secondary education. It also aims to end gender inequalities and help more people learn skills they need to get jobs
Gender Equality (SDG 5)
SDG 5 aims to ensure girls and women have equal rights and protection from gender-based violence and discrimination. This includes harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation. It focuses on giving women and girls the power to make their own choices and take part fully in all areas of life.
H3: Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6)
SDG 6 focuses on the sustainable management of safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene for all.
Water, sanitation and hygiene are interlinked with menstrual health. Availability and access to water, sanitation and hygiene is key for menstrual health management.
Women, girls, and all people who menstruate need facilities that are safe, clean and culturally acceptable. Places where they can safely (and discretely) dispose of their menstrual products. They also require enough water to safely clean their menstrual products and maintain their dignity.
Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7)
Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is the focus of SDG 7. Some examples of targets are using more renewable energy like solar and wind power. As well as making energy use more efficient.
Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)
SDG 8 supports steady and fair economic growth and productive and decent work for all. Helping young people, especially young women, who are not in school or working is key. To reach SDG 8, we need policies that allow economic growth and make sure people are treated fairly.
Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9)
Building resilient infrastructure such as roads and bridges. while making sure industries are sustainable and innovative are. key to SDG 9. The goal also encourages news ideas and technologies that can improve industries.
Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10)
SDG 10 seeks to reduce inequality among and within countries. The gap between the richest and poorest countries has grown bigger. As has the gap within countries. Discrimination because of things like gender or age affects one in six people globally [2]. To reduce inequalities we need to invest in education and support people who are left out.
Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11)
For the first time in history, there are more people living in cities than in rural areas. Making cities and human settlements safe, resilient, sustainable and inclusive are the focus of SDG 11.
Girls’ safety in cities is a global problem which must be addressed. Our Safer Cities programme is working with girls to ensure they have access to public spaces and can move freely within them. The programmes also encourages girls to participate in decision-making about their cities.
Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)
Using too many resources in the wrong way is having an effect on pollution, nature loss and our climate. SDG 12 involves using natural resources carefully and sustainable production.
Climate Action (SDG 13)
The effects of extreme weather are destroying lives and livelihoods. Communities around the world are suffering. SDG 13 calls for immediate action to lower greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050. Policy changes, improving education, and supporting developing countries are crucial to achieving this.
Life Below Water (SDG 14) & 15. Life on Land (SDG 15)
SDG 14 is about life below water. This includes protecting seas, oceans and marine life from overfishing, pollution, and damage. SDG 15 focuses on life on land. Targets include stopping biodiversity loss, protecting forests and fighting desertification. Both goals aim to keep earth’s ecosystems healthy so that life (people, animals and plants) can thrive.
Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16)
People everywhere should feel safe as they go about their lives and free of fear from all forms of violence. SDG 16 supports fair and peaceful communities where everyone can get justice. It promotes building honest, strong, and fair organizations at all levels. It also includes a focus on ensuring inclusive, representative decision-making at all levels.
Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)
SDG17 calls for a global partnership for sustainable development. The global goals can only be achieved if people, organisations, and countries work together. This includes making trade fair for everyone and sharing modern technology. It also states the need to mobilise financial resources to support developing countries.
Which Countries Adhere to the SDGs?
All 193 member states of the United Nations adopted the SDGs in 2015.
How are the SDGs Enforced?
All 193 UN member states are expected to produce at least one Voluntary National Review. The report is shared at the United Nations High Level Political Forum and shows how much progress has been made towards achieving the SDGs. The UK’s first Voluntary National Review was presented in 2019.
How Are the SDGs Measured?
Each goal is broken down into a range of targets. More than 232 global indicators have been created to track the progress of the SDGs and their related goals.
International agencies work with National Statistical Offices and ministries to collect data. SDG progress is measured on a global level.
Why Are the SDGs Important?
The SDGs are important because they provide a global plan to help create a better future. They show clear steps everyone can take to protect the planet and improve health, fairness, justice, and prosperity for all people.
The Impact of the Sustainable Development Goals so Far
Almost all Sustainable Development Goals are off-track to be met globally by 2030. This including targets essential to advancing girls’ rights.
A Plan International report looked at how the SDGs are perceived by girls and young women. None of the countries in the report had created adequate laws to help end gender inequality. The report also found no meaningful decline in violence against women and girls.
Many goals that play an important part in reducing gender inequality have also seen little or no progress.
How we’re working towards supporting the SDGs around the world
Plan International’s work supports many SDGs. Especially goals related to gender equality, education, health and the protection of children. We advocate for policy changes and support community-based programmes. We empower children to participate in decisions that affect their lives.
One important way of measuring progress towards the SDGs is by using the indicators. We have helped improve indicators linked to education, gender-based violence and economic opportunities. This helps make sure the right data is collected and girls are visible within it. Thus supporting the SDG promise to leave no one behind.
References
[1] Global Citizen - Millennium Development Goals 15 Years Later: How Did We Do?
[2] United Nations