In 2015, world leaders made an unprecedented commitment to eradicating poverty, reducing inequality and protecting the planet through seventeen Sustainable Development Goals that must be accomplished by 2030.
But an expanding economy and rapid increase in natural resource consumption threaten the SDGs’ realization. Meanwhile, COVID-19 pandemic, worsening climate change, and ongoing global conflicts all interfere with progress towards meeting them.
Definition
In 1987, the UN-affiliated Brundtland Commission unveiled their Our Common Future report and introduced sustainable development as an idea. Sustainable development refers to development that meets today’s needs without jeopardizing future generations’ ability to meet theirs – development that meets current demands without jeopardizing future ones’.
Today, the global community has adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as successors to the Millennium Development Goals. These 17 goals address issues ranging from alleviating extreme poverty to mitigating climate change impacts.
Sustainable development is founded upon the concept that economic, environmental and social outcomes are interlinked and mutually reinforcing. For instance, forests do more than store carbon or host biodiversity – they also provide livelihoods, cultural continuity and economic security to billions of people around the globe. When forests are managed responsibly they bring social benefits alongside environmental progress which you can help support by selecting products containing FSC certification or supporting brands that make measurable sustainability commitments.
Goals
Realizing the SDGs would create new economic opportunities and jobs, enhanced access to energy, water, sanitation and education as well as stronger climate change protections and resilience. Every four years, the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development reviews progress toward these goals and makes recommendations for further action.
SDG progress has been slow, with many of the world’s poorest countries falling behind on efforts to reduce poverty and hunger, expand quality education and boost environmental sustainability. Meanwhile, wealthier nations continue to consume natural resources at unsustainable rates.
Some critics contend that the SDGs place too much weight on economic growth while neglecting environmental preservation and social justice concerns. Others feel the SDGs are too broad; more specific targets and indicators must be added in order to evaluate progress toward meeting them more accurately, taking into account all interconnected problems.
Implementation
The Sustainable Development Goals are 17 ambitious targets aimed at creating a world in which both humanity and nature flourish together, but will only be reached if countries work collaboratively towards realising them.
Global progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals has been slow since 2015, with many indicators either falling behind or even regressing. Experts warn that failure to meet these targets could reverse decades of progress made towards ending poverty, combatting climate change, and decreasing inequality.
The United Nations Statistical Commission tracks 234 indicators to track SDG progress. They are organized into themes like child malnutrition (SDG 2) or legal frameworks that protect against sexual harassment (SDG 5). Many countries also adopt national-level indicators tailored specifically to their needs.
The Sustainable Development Goals are implemented largely at a country level, with national governments overseeing Voluntary National Reviews of progress toward meeting SDG targets. The UN High-Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development draws upon these reviews; regional and subregional processes provide additional support in tracking SDG progress and review.
Challenges
Economic expansion today relies heavily on natural resources that must be replenished. To achieve true sustainable development, however, requires finding ways to balance competing demands in such a way that promotes both a healthy environment and flourishing economy.
State and regional governments are key partners in driving sustainable development around the world. They often serve as first responders when climate impacts strike and have an in-depth knowledge of local needs; moreover, they provide solutions for facing unexpected challenges head-on.
Citizens can support sustainable development initiatives through everyday actions. Our choices, from purchasing certified forest products to supporting brands with ethical sourcing policies, send a powerful signal about long-term sustainability being important. Furthermore, by reducing energy consumption and purchasing solar panels for our homes we can take steps toward helping realize the Sustainable Development Goals together as one integrated effort.