What Are Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
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The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of global goals that aim to improve human life and the planet by 2030. These are 17 unique goals with specific objectives, focus areas and guidelines. Individuals and businesses alike can foster change by learning about and implementing parts of these objectives.
Many of us dream of a more sustainable future for our world, but without strategic plans and action, this won’t happen. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a proposal we can use to create necessary change.
Both businesses and individuals can review and learn from the Sustainable Development Goals. These goals are an opportunity to encourage prosperity and safeguard Earth’s future.
We will talk about the history of this project and what these interlinked goals mean so that anyone can become more involved.
History of Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development Goals have been in progress for decades worldwide. However, within the past decade specifically, people have realized how important it is to act.
In September 2015, member states of the United Nations decided to adopt the “Transforming the World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” plan. More than 150 leaders across 193 countries made this commitment. This universal action plan?requires global cooperation?to create sustainable development practices.?
The 2030 Agenda plan focuses on?17 unique goals with 169 targets?to ensure all receive attention. This creates a more comprehensive approach to these major issues for world leaders.
Who Are the Sustainability Goals For?
In short, sustainability goals are for everyone. Each has a unique objective that affects every person across the world with social, economic or environmental-related goals. SDGs aim to create more dependable, continuous practices that people may use to prosper in all countries.?
What Are the Sustainable Development Goals?
There are 17 SDGs with varying objectives, but each recognizes that to achieve true sustainability, all interlinked objectives must be carried out. For instance, ending poverty for everyone must also mean opportunities for good health, education, job placement, social protection and more.?
Here are the goals broken down in more detail.?
1. No Poverty
The first SDG is to end impoverishment in all forms worldwide. Millions of people live in extreme poverty and cannot fulfill basic needs, such as water access, hygiene, health and education. Additionally, even those with jobs may still not make enough money to overcome poverty.?
2. Zero Hunger
This goal includes food security, ending world hunger and improved nutrition. Additionally, there is a focus on sustainable agriculture that allows people to grow their food.?Expensive food prices and war impose a massive concern?for rising hunger in poorer communities especially.?
3. Good Health and Well-Being
For all ages, good health and well-being are essential to living a high-quality life. During the pandemic, the world pushed this goal to the front to protect the most vulnerable individuals. Also, other major platforms of this SDG include:
4. Quality Education
This SDG focuses on promoting global lifelong learning opportunities. Also, it hopes to provide equitable, inclusive and high-quality education for all. This includes psychosocial support and improving schools post-pandemic.?
5. Gender Equality
Achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls to make choices or drive social change is another SDG. Part of this goal aims to help women take control of their lives and assert their human rights worldwide. The world is not currently meeting the targets for this goal, but progress is possible. Areas of concern include:
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
Access to clean water and sanitation services is essential to maintaining health and food supplies. Therefore, this goal hopes to guarantee clean water and practical sanitation services in all communities.?Many existing systems have deteriorated?to the point of contamination. Potential conflict among nations makes this a challenging goal.?
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
This SDG focuses on offering to everyone energy practices that are:
Those in the least-developed parts of the world are at the highest risk of not obtaining this energy by 2030. Additionally, these countries also need access to clean cooking technologies, many of which require energy.?
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8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
Communities struggle when economic growth opportunities are limited, so this SDG aims to ensure everyone has access to productive and decent work opportunities. Additionally,?this goal includes inclusive and sustainable financial growth opportunities?for individuals and families worldwide.?
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Industry and infrastructure are valuable in the modern world. Building dependable infrastructure in all communities is part of this goal alongside fostering all-encompassing, inventive industrialization techniques worldwide. This?includes mobile-broadband access, which parts of the world still cannot access.?
10. Reduced Inequalities
This SDG aims to reduce unfair opportunities and inequalities in all countries. Income inequality appeared to narrow before the pandemic, but the effects of the pandemic have reversed these new positive changes. Additionally, the war in Ukraine is causing an extensive refugee crisis, while large numbers of migrants still face dangerous conditions.?
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
Safe and resilient cities and communities help people thrive. This goal aims to create more environmental settlements for individuals and families.
Further, the United Nations estimates that?70% of people in the world will live in urban areas?by 2050, making this an essential goal for future prosperity. Factors like air quality, public transportation and homelessness are part of this SDG.?
12. Responsible Consumption and Production?
Consumption and production practices directly impact carbon emissions, green economy status and poverty levels. Therefore, the purpose of this goal is to limit environmental deterioration and future societal issues with a focus on:
13. Climate Action
Worldwide, taking action on climate change and the impacts of?our climate crisis?is a necessity. The United Nations refers to climate change as?humanity’s “code red” warning, meaning it impacts all other SDGs. Humans caused climate change, and?every region worldwide is experiencing extreme weather and climates.?
14. Life Below Water
This SDG is about using marine resources for sustainable development while maintaining biodiversity conservation in seas and oceans. Factors like plastic pollution, sustainable fishing practices and acidification are all components to consider.?
15. Life on Land
Similar to the Life Below Water SDG, this goal is about the sustainable use of land ecosystems. Huge components of this goal relate to fighting issues like:
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions?
This SDG promotes peace among societies, justice for all and inclusive, accountable institutions. Issues explicitly relating to violence in communities, corruption and illegal firearms are currently the?main targets of this objective.?
17. Partnerships for the Goals
Without the support of multiple partners, these goals are unlikely to reach their intended outcomes. The Global Partnership for Sustainable Development and its data are a vital part of this project and promotes collaboration amongst world leaders, so keeping the partnership strong is the purpose of this objective.?
Final Thoughts on the Benefits of SDGs for Businesses
Each SDG requires new and innovative ways of doing business. Additionally, all these goals will take immense effort, and the businesses of the world are crucial to achieving the United Nation’s targets.?
Businesses can implement change to integrate the SDGs across their operations and practices. This may result in lower emissions, less waste, living wages and safe working conditions (among other things). Not only is this beneficial for the world as a whole, but it also helps businesses attract like-minded customers and build a more environmentally friendly brand.?
Top Takeaways
What are sustainable development goals?
(Reporting by NPD)