Sustainable Development Goals

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"SDG" redirects here. For other uses, see SDG (disambiguation).

Sustainable Development Goals

Mission "A blueprint to achieve a better and more

statement sustainable future for all people and the world by

2030"

Type of project Non-Profit

Location Global

Owner Supported by United Nation & Owned by

community

Founder United Nations

Established 2016

Website sdgs.un.org

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or Global Goals are a

collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a "blueprint to achieve a
better and more sustainable future for all".[1] The SDGs were set up in 2015 by
the United Nations General Assembly and are intended to be achieved by the
year 2030. They are included in a UN Resolution called the 2030 Agenda or
what is colloquially known as Agenda 2030.[2] The SDGs were developed in
the Post-2015 Development Agenda as the future global development
framework to succeed the Millennium Development Goals which ended in 2015.
The 17 SDGs are: (1) No Poverty, (2) Zero Hunger, (3) Good Health and Well-
being, (4) Quality Education, (5) Gender Equality, (6) Clean Water and
Sanitation, (7) Affordable and Clean Energy, (8) Decent Work and Economic
Growth, (9) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, (10) Reducing Inequality,
(11) Sustainable Cities and Communities, (12) Responsible Consumption and
Production, (13) Climate Action, (14) Life Below Water, (15) Life On Land,
(16) Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, (17) Partnerships for the Goals.
Though the goals are broad and interdependent, two years later (6 July 2017)
the SDGs were made more "actionable" by a UN Resolution adopted by the
General Assembly. The resolution identifies specific targets for each goal, along
with indicators that are being used to measure progress toward each
target.[3] The year by which the target is meant to be achieved is usually
between 2020 and 2030.[4] For some of the targets, no end date is given.
To facilitate monitoring, a variety of tools exist to track and visualize progress
towards the goals. All intention is to make data more available and easily
understood.[5] For example, the online publication SDG-Tracker, launched in
June 2018, presents available data across all indicators.[5] The SDGs pay
attention to multiple cross-cutting issues, like gender equity, education, and
culture cut across all of the SDGs. There were serious impacts and implications
of the COVID-19 pandemic on all 17 SDGs in the year 2020.[6]

Contents

• 1Overview
o 1.1Ratification
o 1.2Targets and indicators
o 1.3Reviews of indicators
o 1.4The 17 individual goals
o 1.5Monitoring
• 2Cross-cutting issues
o 2.1Gender equality
o 2.2Education
o 2.3Culture
o 2.4Health
• 3Implementation and support
o 3.1Allocation
o 3.2Challenges
• 4Costs and sources of finance
o 4.1Costs
o 4.2Financing
o 4.3SDG-driven investment
• 5Communication and advocacy
o 5.1Advocates
o 5.2Events
• 6History
• 7Reception
o 7.1Competing and too many goals
 o 7.2Weak on environmental sustainability
o 7.3Importance of technology and connectivity
• 8Country examples
o 8.1Asia and Pacific
o 8.2Africa
o 8.3Europe and Middle East
o 8.4Americas
• 9See also
• 10Notes
• 11References
• 12Sources
• 13External links

Overview[edit]
Ratification[edit]

Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (UN Resolution A/RES/70/1),
containing the goals (October 2015)

Negotiations on the Post-2015 Development Agenda began in January 2015

and ended in August 2015. The negotiations ran in parallel to United
Nations negotiations on financing for development, which determined the
financial means of implementing the Post-2015 Development Agenda; those
negotiations resulted in adoption of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda in July
2015. A final document was adopted at the UN Sustainable Development
Summit in September 2015 in New York.[7]
On 25 September 2015, the 193 countries of the UN General Assembly
adopted the 2030 Development Agenda titled "Transforming our world: the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development".[8][9] This agenda has 92 paragraphs.
Paragraph 59 outlines the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the
associated 169 targets and 232 indicators.
Targets and indicators[edit]
Work of the Statistical Commission pertaining to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
containing the targets and indicators, July 2017 (UN resolution A/RES/71/313)

The lists of targets and indicators for each of the 17 SDGs was published in a
UN resolution in July 2017.[3] Each goal typically has 8–12 targets, and each
target has between 1 and 4 indicators used to measure progress toward
reaching the targets. The targets are either "outcome" targets (circumstances to
be attained) or "means of implementation" targets.[10] The latter targets were
introduced late in the process of negotiating the SDGs to address the concern
of some Member States about how the SDGs were to be achieved. Goal 17 is
wholly about how the SDGs will be achieved.[10]
The numbering system of targets is as follows: "Outcome targets" use numbers,
whereas "means of implementation targets" use lower case letters.[10] For
example, SDG 6 has a total of 8 targets. The first six are outcome targets and
are labeled Targets 6.1 to 6.6. The final two targets are "means
of implementation targets" and are labeled as Targets 6.a and 6.b.
Reviews of indicators[edit]
As planned, the indicator framework was comprehensively reviewed at the 51st
session of the United Nations Statistical Commission in 2020. It will be reviewed
again in 2025.[11] At the 51st session of the Statistical Commission (held in New
York City from 3–6 March 2020) a total of 36 changes to the global indicator
framework were proposed for the Commission's consideration. Some indicators
were replaced, revised or deleted.[11] Between 15 October 2018 and 17 April
2020, other changes were made to the indicators.[12] Yet their measurement
continues to be fraught with difficulties.[13]
The United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) website provides a current
official indicator list which includes all updates until the 51st session Statistical
Commission in March 2020.[4]
The indicators were classified into three tiers based on their level of
methodological development and the availability of data at the global
level.[14] Tier 1 and Tier 2 are indicators that are conceptually clear, have an
internationally established methodology, and data are regularly produced by at
least some countries. Tier 3 indicators had no internationally established
methodology or standards. The global indicator framework was adjusted so that
Tier 3 indicators were either abandoned, replaced or refined.[14] As of 17 July
2020, there were 231 unique indicators.[14]
The 17 individual goals[edit]
Further information: List of Sustainable Development Goal targets and indicators
Goal 1: No poverty[edit]

Homeless man living on the streets of Tokyo, 2008

Main article: Sustainable Development Goal 1

SDG 1 is to: "End poverty in all its forms everywhere".[15] Achieving SDG 1 would
end extreme poverty globally by 2030.
This section is an excerpt from Sustainable Development Goal 1.[edit]

The goal has seven targets and 13 indicators to measure progress. The five
"outcome targets" are: eradication of extreme poverty; reduction of all poverty
by half; implementation of social protection systems; ensuring equal rights to
ownership, basic services, technology and economic resources; and the
building of resilience to environmental, economic and social disasters. The two
targets related to "means of achieving" SDG 1 are mobilization of resources to
end poverty; and the establishment of poverty eradication policy frameworks at
all levels.[16][17]
Despite the ongoing progress, 10 percent of the world's population live in poverty and
struggle to meet basic needs such as health, education, and access to water and
sanitation.[18] Extreme poverty remains prevalent in low-income countries particularly
those affected by conflict and political upheaval.[19] In 2015, more than half of the
world's 736 million people living in extreme poverty lived in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Without a significant shift in social policy, extreme poverty will dramatically increase by
2030.[20] The rural poverty rate stands at 17.2 percent and 5.3 percent in urban areas (in
2016).[21] Nearly half are children.[21]

A study published in September 2020 found that poverty increased by 7 per

cent in just a few months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, even though it had
been steadily decreasing for the last 20 years.[22]: 9 
Goal 2: Zero hunger (No hunger)[edit]
Main article: Sustainable Development Goal 2
Sufficient and healthy foods should be made available to everyone

SDG 2 is to: "End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and
promote sustainable agriculture".[23]
This section is an excerpt from Sustainable Development Goal 2.[edit]
SDG 2 has eight targets and 14 indicators to measure progress.[24] The five "outcome
targets" are: ending hunger and improving access to food; ending all forms
of malnutrition; agricultural productivity; sustainable food production systems and
resilient agricultural practices; and genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants and
farmed and domesticated animals; investments, research and technology. The three
"means of achieving" targets include: addressing trade restrictions and distortions in
world agricultural markets and food commodity markets and their derivatives.[24]

Globally, 1 in 9 people are undernourished, the vast majority of whom live in

developing countries. Under nutrition causes wasting or severe wasting of 52
million children worldwide.[25] It contributes to nearly half (45%) of deaths in
children under five – 3.1 million children per year.[26]
Goal 3: Good health and well-being[edit]
Main article: Sustainable Development Goal 3
Mothers with healthy children in rural India

SDG 3 is to: "Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages".[27]
This section is an excerpt from Sustainable Development Goal 3.[edit]
SDG 3 has 13 targets and 28 indicators to measure progress toward targets. The first
nine targets are "outcome targets". Those are: reduction of maternal mortality; ending
all preventable deaths under five years of age; fight communicable diseases; ensure
reduction of mortality from non-communicable diseases and promote mental health;
prevent and treat substance abuse; reduce road injuries and deaths; grant universal
access to sexual and reproductive care, family planning and education;
achieve universal health coverage; and reduce illnesses and deaths from hazardous
chemicals and pollution. The four "means to achieving" SDG 3 targets are: implement
the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control; support research, development
and universal access to affordable vaccines and medicines; increase health financing
and support health workforce in developing countries; and improve early warning
systems for global health risks.[28]

Significant strides have been made in increasing life expectancy and reducing
some of the common causes of child and maternal mortality. Between 2000 and
2016, the worldwide under-five mortality rate decreased by 47 percent (from 78
deaths per 1,000 live births to 41 deaths per 1,000 live births).[25] Still, the
number of children dying under age five is very high: 5.6 million in 2016.[25]
School children in Kakuma refugee camp, Kenya

Goal 4: Quality education[edit]

Main article: Sustainable Development Goal 4

SDG 4 is to: "Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote
lifelong learning opportunities for all".[29]
This section is an excerpt from Sustainable Development Goal 4.[edit]
SDG 4 has ten targets which are measured by 11 indicators. The seven "outcome-
oriented targets" are: free primary and secondary education; equal access to
quality pre-primary education; affordable technical, vocational and higher education;
increased number of people with relevant skills for financial success; elimination of
all discrimination in education; universal literacy and numeracy; and education for
sustainable development and global citizenship. The three "means of achieving
targets" are: build and upgrade inclusive and safe schools; expand higher
education scholarships for developing countries; and increase the supply of
qualified teachers in developing countries.

Major progress has been made in access to education, specifically at

the primary school level, for both boys and girls. The number of out-of-school
children has almost halved from 112 million in 1997 to 60 million in 2014.[30] In
terms of the progress made, global participation in tertiary education reached
224 million in 2018, equivalent to a gross enrollment ratio of 38%.[31]
Goal 5: Gender equality[edit]
Main article: Sustainable Development Goal 5

SDG 5 is to: "Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls".[32]
This section is an excerpt from Sustainable Development Goal 5.[edit]
Through the pledge to "Leave No One Behind", countries have committed to fast-track
progress for those furthest behind, first.[33]: 54  SDG 5 aims to grant women and girls equal
rights, opportunities to live free without discrimination including
workplace discrimination or any violence. This is to achieve gender equality and
empower all women and girls.

In 2020, representation by women in single or lower houses of national

parliament reached 25 per cent, up slightly from 22 per cent in 2015.[6] Women
now have better access to decision-making positions at the local level, holding
36 per cent of elected seats in local deliberative bodies, based on data from 133
countries and areas. Whilst female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C) is
becoming less common, at least 200 million girls and women have been
subjected to this harmful practice.[34][6]
Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation[edit]
Main article: Sustainable Development Goal 6

Example of sanitation for all: School toilet (IPH school and college, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh)

SDG 6 is to: "Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and

sanitation for all".[35] The eight targets are measured by 11 indicators.
This section is an excerpt from Sustainable Development Goal 6.[edit]
The six "outcome-oriented targets" include: Safe and affordable drinking water;
end open defecation and provide access to sanitation and hygiene, improve water
quality, wastewater treatment and safe reuse, increase water-use efficiency and
ensure freshwater supplies, implement IWRM, protect and restore water-
related ecosystems. The two "means of achieving" targets are to expand water and
sanitation support to developing countries, and to support local engagement in water
and sanitation management.[36]

The Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) of World Health Organisation WHO And
United Nations International Children's Emergency fund UNICEF reported in
2017 that 4.5 billion people currently do not have safely managed
sanitation.[37] Also in 2017, only 71 per cent of the global population used safely
managed drinking water, and 2.2 billion persons were still without safely
managed drinking water. With regards to water stress: "In 2017, Central and
Southern Asia and Northern Africa registered very high water stress – defined
as the ratio of fresh water withdrawn to total renewable freshwater resources –
of more than 70 per cent".[6] Official development
assistance (ODA) disbursements to the water sector increased to $9 billion in
2018.[6]
Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy[edit]
Main article: Sustainable Development Goal 7

SDG 7 is to: "Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern

energy for all".[38]
This section is an excerpt from Sustainable Development Goal 7.[edit]
The goal has five targets to be achieved by 2030.[39] Progress towards the targets is
measured by six indicators.[39] Three out of the five targets are "outcome targets":
Universal access to modern energy; increase global percentage of renewable energy;
double the improvement in energy efficiency. The remaining two targets are "means of
achieving targets": to promote access to research, technology and investments in clean
energy; and expand and upgrade energy services for developing countries. In other
words, these targets include access to affordable and reliable energy while increasing
the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. This would involve improving
energy efficiency and enhancing international cooperation to facilitate more open
access to clean energy technology and more investment in clean energy infrastructure.
Plans call for particular attention to infrastructure support for the least developed
countries, small islands and land-locked developing countries.[40]

Progress in expanding access to electricity has been made in several countries,

notably India, Bangladesh, and Kenya.[41] The global population without access
to electricity decreased to about 840 million in 2017 from 1.2 billion in 2010
(sub-Saharan Africa remains the region with the largest access
deficit).[41] Renewable energy accounted for 17.5% of global total energy
consumption in 2016.[41] Of the three end uses of renewables (electricity, heat,
and transport) the use of renewables grew fastest with respect to electricity.
Between 2018 and 2030, the annual average investment will need to reach
approximately $55 billion to expand energy access, about $700 billion to
increase renewable energy and $600 billion to improve energy efficiency.[41]

Solar panels on house roof

Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth[edit]

Main article: Sustainable Development Goal 8

SDG 8 is to: "Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth,

full and productive employment and decent work for all".[42]
This section is an excerpt from Sustainable Development Goal 8.[edit]
SDG 8 has twelve targets in total to be achieved by 2030. Some targets are for 2030;
others are for 2020. The first ten are "outcome targets". These are:
sustainable economic growth; diversify, innovate and upgrade for economic
productivity; promote policies to support job creation and growing enterprises;
improve resource efficiency in consumption and production;
full employment and decent work with equal pay; promote youth employment,
education and training; end modern slavery, trafficking, and child labour; protect labour
rights and promote safe working environments; promote beneficial and sustainable
tourism; universal access to banking, insurance and financial services. In addition there
are also two targets for "means of achieving": Increase aid for trade support; develop a
global youth employment strategy.

Over the past five years, economic growth in least developed countries has
been increasing at an average rate of 4.3 per cent.[43] In 2018, the global growth
rate of real GDP per capita was 2 per cent. In addition, the rate for least
developed countries was 4.5 per cent in 2018 and 4.8 per cent in 2019, less
than the 7 per cent growth rate targeted in SDG 8.[44] In 2019, 22 per cent of the
world's young people were not in employment, education or training, a figure
that has hardly changed since 2005.[43] Addressing youth employment means
finding solutions with and for young people who are seeking a decent and
productive job. Such solutions should address both supply, i.e. education, skills
development and training, and demand.[45] In 2018, the number of women
engaged in the labor force was put at 48 per cent while that of men was 75 per
cent.[42]