Sustainable development involves reaching economic health and environmental protection objectives on an international scale, as reflected in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs; United Nations 2015).
Accomplishing them will require us to rethink how we live, work and consume. This article will look at key components of the framework and its goals.
Environmental Protection
Sustainable development involves striking a balance between economic development and environmental protection. If people pursue short-term gains without considering how their actions might impact future generations or the planet, natural resources become depleted — leading to ecosystem collapse, endangered species extinctions, climate change impacts and floods.
One guiding principle of sustainability states that ecological capital (such as biodiversity, clean air and fresh water, as well as stable climate) cannot be fully replaced by economic or social capital; on the contrary, human capital can be replaced by such policies.
Sustainable development involves everyone – from governments to consumers. For businesses, purchasing FSC-certified paper or supporting ethical labour practices helps transform supply chains to better support people and nature alike. Furthermore, buying local sourced products reduces transportation emissions while supporting community economies. As for consumers supporting long-term sustainability through making a commitment to only purchase fair trade organic and sustainable products using recycled materials or by reducing waste production.
Economic Growth
Reaching sustainable development requires satisfying both economic needs and protecting the environment. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) include goals such as eliminating poverty and hunger, providing quality health care and stimulating economic development without harming people or planet.
Economic progress and environmental protection are often perceived separately; however, sustainable development involves reconciling these aspects. For example, decisions about materials and operations of a company can ensure it utilizes renewable energy or reduce carbon emissions; similarly purchasing products made with responsibly managed forests supports local jobs, biodiversity as well as climate resilience and water security.
Unsustainable economic development practices such as clearing forests for golf courses may bring short-term gains but put ecosystems and communities at risk. Responsible economic development backed by government policies that prioritize environmental protection and social equity can protect long-term growth while mitigating climate risks; this is the essence of sustainable development.
Social Cohesiveness
In 2015, the UN General Assembly established seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These 17 SDGs aim to protect people and the planet through economic growth, environmental conservation, and reduced global inequality. While critics suggest these goals might not be accomplished before 2030 due to COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, worsening climate change impacts, and rising global conflicts hampering efforts toward these SDGs.
SDGs require countries to measure and track their performance against 234 indicators that cover everything from gender equality to new vaccine availability. One tool available to measure nation performance on SDGs is The Bertelsmann Stiftung/SDSN Global SDG Index and Dashboards Report published annually by SDSN and Bertelsmann Stiftung. This ranking system ranks nations according to how effectively they’ve met these goals.
Reaching the Sustainable Development Goals requires significant financial resources and an increase in sustainable funding sources. Effective partnerships between governments, civil society organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders can help mobilize these resources while simultaneously creating holistic, equitable solutions that integrate well.
Human Rights
Sustainable development involves living today while taking into account future needs; making decisions today that take this concept into account, such as resource exploitation, investment decisions and technological innovations that consider both present and future needs. This idea was formalized into the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the UN in 2015.
These goals – known as the three pillars or domains of sustainability – are interlinked and mutually reinforcing. Human rights play an integral role, as demonstrated by the 2030 Agenda’s pledge not to leave anyone behind as well as its goals related to equality, combatting discrimination and exclusion.
Realizing the Sustainable Development Goals will require business to act responsibly and implement due diligence procedures consistent with UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. As part of its work in Kazakhstan, UNDP is helping businesses develop their capacities in this area so they can more efficiently implement SDGs.