Ocean Targets and other SDGs

Introduction

The ocean, a fundamental component of our planet, holds intrinsic importance in our existence. In 2015, the international community embarked on a transformative journey aimed at creating a more sustainable and equitable world by 2030. This voyage was encapsulated in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which introduced 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The core objective of this article is to provide fresh insights into the SDGs, with a specific focus on SDG 14 – Life Below Water. I will delve into the details of its targets, assess the progress made, and explore its intricate connections with other SDGs. Personally, with an academic background in economics and current enrollment in the Master’s in Law and Economics of the Sea – Ocean Governance, I bring a unique blend of economic insights and legal perspectives to this exploration. The aim is to understand how ocean-centric objectives, at the crossroads of economic and environmental significance, align with and influence the broader spectrum of SDGs. As we peer into the future, the anticipation of more emphasis on urgency, pivotal transitions, financing for development, and fortified partnerships to salvage the SDGs is expected. Nevertheless, as time steadily slips away, the attainment of these ambitious goals by 2030 remains uncertain. Moving towards a sustainable future, we must acknowledge the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

The 2030 Agenda and the SDGs - A Roadmap to Sustainable Development As shown in Figure 1, The 2030 Agenda encompasses 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 associated targets. These goals are firmly rooted in the fundamental principles of sustainable development, which embrace economic progress, social equity, and environmental preservation. This holistic framework addresses the world's most pressing challenges and signifies a unified commitment from all United Nations member states to foster a more sustainable and equitable world for all generations.

These SDGs are a significant evolution and expansion of the global agenda, building upon the foundation laid by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), with specific goals addressing poverty, hunger, education, and healthcare (Goals 1-6). They also emphasize a holistic approach (Goals 7- 10) to eliminate poverty and promote sustainable development by addressing root causes and interconnections among these pillars. Furthermore, the SDGs consider urbanization, consumption patterns, climate action, and environmental sustainability (Goals 11-15), highlighting the intricate interplay between human activities, environmental sustainability, and social and economic well-being, with direct impacts on the other pillars of sustainable development. The SDGs also lay the foundational principles of an enabling environment (Goals 16-17) for cooperation, accountability, and governance, essential to ensure the interconnected success of all SDGs.

Assessing Global Progress on SDGs in 2023

In the journey towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a mid-point evaluation has unveiled a landscape riddled with significant challenges, as shown in Figure 2.

This comprehensive assessment paints an alarming picture, with just 15% of assessable targets on track for successful achievement. Nearly half, 48%, of these targets exhibit moderate or severe deviations from the intended trajectory, signaling the urgency for corrective action. Even more concerning, over one-third, specifically 37% of these targets, show either no progress or, in some instances, a regression below the 2015 baseline. On September 18, 2023, UN Secretary-General António Guterres raised the alarm, urging the adoption of a "global rescue plan" to safeguard the SDGs. With time slipping away, the urgency is undeniable. Lagging public interest in achieving the Goals, geopolitical friction and perhaps most critically, the global coronavirus pandemic, have left the SDGs in need of a global rescue plan.

SDG 14 – Life Below Water

This article focuses on ocean targets, which are inherently connected to SDG 14. This goal focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of our oceans, seas, and marine resources. The ocean serves as a vital resource for humanity, supplying food, potential medicines, and biofuels. It also plays a crucial role in regulating the global climate system, serving as a carbon sink, a source of renewable energy, and a guardian of air quality. Moreover, it fuels economies through global trade and tourism. However, our marine environments face significant challenges. Issues such as eutrophication, acidification, ocean warming, and plastic pollution are growing threats, endangering both the marine ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. Overfishing remains a persistent problem, resulting in the depletion of over one-third of global fish stocks. Addressing these challenges is imperative to secure a healthier, more sustainable, and prosperous future for all.

SDG 14 – Life Below Water: Targets, Indicators and Progress

Within SDG 14, there are ten targets and their corresponding indicators, as illustrated in Figure 3. Each of these elements plays a crucial role in conserving and sustainably utilizing our oceans and marine resources. In other words, it forms the backbone of efforts to safeguard and responsibly manage our precious marine ecosystems.

These targets fall into two groups. The first group comprises the initial seven targets, representing end goals focused on reducing marine pollution, protecting ecosystems, mitigating ocean acidification, promoting sustainable fishing, conserving coastal areas, ending overfishing subsidies, and enhancing economic benefits from marine resources. The second group, the remaining three targets, serves as strategies for achieving these outcomes, involving increased knowledge, support for smallscale fishers, and enforcement of international sea laws. The 2023 SDG Progress Chart shows various levels of progress and setbacks concerning SDG 14 targets, as shown in Figure 4.

Green indicates that the goal is on track or has been met, yellow signifies fair progress with a need for acceleration, and red represents stagnation or regression. Although the overall deadline for the SDGs is 2030, four of the targets had a deadline of 2020 (14.2, 14.4, 14.5 and 14.6). The global achievement of the 2020 SDG 14 targets is a failure. Of these four, SDG 14.6 on combatting fisheries subsidies, is the target that has seen the most progress with more than half of countries having achieved or made good progress. Other several other critical targets set for 2030, such as ocean acidification, marine resources for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), research capacity and marine technology, and marine pollution (set for 2025), show regression, signifying the urgency of revitalized efforts. This comprehensive evaluation underscores the complex journey toward achieving a sustainable coexistence with our planet's vital marine ecosystems and emphasizes the need for accelerated action in various key areas, with more funding allocated. SDG 14 has received less than 1% of all philanthropic funding. Still, not everything is bad news. Targets such as those aiming to end support small-scale artisanal fishing, and implement and enforce international sea law, are classified as "on track or met", indicating positive progress. In 2022, the World Trade Organization (WTO) members concluded an agreement to tackle the harmful fisheries subsidies that encourage unsustainable fishing. The recent adoption of the High Seas Treaty plus the 2022’s COP15 on biodiversity demonstrates a strong commitment by global nations to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 – 30x30. While these recent achievements regarding SDG 14 provide hope, 2030 is approaching.

SDG 14 - Life below water: Interlinkages with other SDGs

The interconnections among Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are crucial for achieving a sustainable future. Notably, SDG 14, is closely linked with SDG 6, Clean Water and Sanitation, coordinating the management of fresh and marine waters is vital for a well-functioning hydrological cycle. Another key link exists between SDG 14 and SDG 12, Responsible Consumption and Production, as demonstrated by the EU's circular economy initiativesthat reduce single-use plastics. In this context, I founded a startup dedicated to reducing single-use plastics, experiencing firsthand the profound impact of such initiatives. Moreover, SDG 14 intersects with SDG 13, Climate Action, as efforts to combat climate change and protect our oceans go hand in hand. The EU's voluntary commitments in this regard highlight the synergy between research, innovation, and action to address climate and ocean challenges. Additionally, SDG 2, Zero Hunger, gainssignificance when considering marine resources as a vital food source. These resources play a critical role in addressing food security and promoting sustainable fisheries practices. Approximately 60% of the food consumed in tropical developing countries is sourced from the sea. This highlights the crucial link between life below water and our efforts to eradicate hunger, emphasizing the importance of responsible and sustainable management of marine ecosystems for the well-being of both humanity and the planet. These examples provide but a glimpse of the intricate interlinkages weaving together our global pursuit ofsustainability and equity, as countless more connections can be established with various other SDGs.

Expected Future Developments

When considering the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it's evident that the United Nations (UN) will prioritize several key aspects in the coming years to accelerate progress. These include a focus on urgency, critical transitions, financing for development, debt relief, international financial reform, strengthened partnerships, successful collaboration models, integrated approaches, and an unwavering commitment to cooperation. Governments, as the primary actors, will need to step up and bring forth concrete plans and proposals to expedite progress toward the SDGs. However, it's crucial to acknowledge that governments alone cannot achieve these goals. A collective effort involving various stakeholders is essential. This includes active participation from the private sector, civil society, women, youth, scientists, academics, philanthropic foundations, and individuals from diverse fields and disciplines. They all must engage more vigorously and deliver tangible actions to propel the SDGs toward accomplishment. In the context of SDG 14 – Life Below Water, which plays a pivotal role in the broader spectrum of SDGs, there is a requirement for concerted efforts. According to the United Nations' Progress Chart for 2023, although there has been some progress, SDG 14 has 30% of its assessable targets on track for successful achievement, which is double the average rate of 15% seen across the general SDG framework. However, significant challenges persist. Notably, four of the targets set for 2020 have not been realized. As we move forward with just seven years left until the 2030 deadline, it's increasingly clear that the path ahead resembles the trajectory outlined for the SDGs in general.

Conclusions

I've assessed the progress made and the challenges encountered on this journey, highlighting the urgency of revitalized efforts and the need for a global rescue plan to safeguard the SDGs. It's evident that the path to achieving these ambitious goals by 2030 is full of challenges. The ocean targets exposed in SDG 14, with its intricate connections to other SDGs, reinforces the idea that sustainability is a shared endeavor. The ocean, as a nexus of economic and environmental significance, underscores the profound interlinkages that weave together the global pursuit of sustainability and equity. It's becoming apparent that achieving the 2030 Agenda and especially SDG 14, initiated in 2016, may prove more elusive than initially envisioned. Nevertheless, it is the collective commitment, innovation, and dedication from various sectors of society that will ultimately determine our success in this noble quest for a more sustainable and equitable world.