Agenda 2030: UN Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 goals established by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The SDGs build on the progress and lessons learned from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) but go further in addressing new and emerging challenges, such as climate change, inequality, and the need for sustainable economic growth. Together they are aimed at transforming the world by 2030. 

Objectives and key actions of the SDGs

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals, also called the Global Goals, form a plan of action that balances the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social, and environmental. They are:

Sustainable Development Goal 1: No Poverty

Objective: to eradicate extreme poverty and reduce relative poverty.

Key actions:

  • Social protection
  • Employment
  • Economic growth
  • Sustainable agriculture

Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger

Objective: to end hunger and improve access to food.

Key actions: 

  • Increasing agricultural productivity
  • Improving nutrition
  • Reducing food waste
  • Ensuring sustainable food systems

Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being

Objective: to ensure universal access to quality healthcare services

Key actions: 

  • Strengthening primary health care
  • Reducing the spread of infectious diseases
  • Increasing access to essential medicines and vaccines

Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education

Objective: to increase access to quality education, especially for girls and women

Key actions: 

  • Increasing funding for education
  • Improving teacher training

Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality

Objective: to promote gender equality and empower women and girls

Key actions:

  • Eliminating gender-based violence
  • Increasing women’s participation in the workforce
  • Promoting women’s leadership and decision-making power

Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.

Objective: to provide access to clean water and sanitation for all people

Key actions: 

  • Improving water management
  • Increasing access to toilets
  • Reducing water pollution

Sustainable Development Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Objective: to provide affordable and clean energy for all people

Key actions: 

  • Increasing energy efficiency
  • Promoting renewable energy
  • Expanding access to energy in rural areas

Sustainable Development Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Objective: to promote economic growth and create decent work opportunities

Key actions: 

  • Creating jobs
  • Reducing inequality
  • Promoting inclusive economic growth

Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Objective: to promote sustainable industrialization and innovation

Key actions: 

  • Improving infrastructure
  • Promoting sustainable industrialization
  • Encouraging innovation

Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities

Objective: to reduce income inequality and promote greater equality

Key actions: 

  • Reducing economic inequality
  • Promoting social, economic
  • Political inclusion
  • Reducing discrimination

Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Objective: to promote sustainable and inclusive cities and communities

Key actions: 

  • Improving urban planning
  • Increasing access to housing
  • Promoting sustainable urbanization

Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Objective: to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns

Key actions: 

  • Reducing waste and promoting resource efficiency
  • Improving product labeling and consumer information
  • Supporting sustainable production practices

Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action

Objective: to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system

Key actions: 

  • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
  • Increasing climate adaptation
  • Supporting sustainable energy systems

Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water

Objective: to conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development

Key actions: 

  • Sustainable fishing practices
  • Reduce ocean pollution and acidification 
  • Increase marine protected areas

Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land

Objective: to protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity and promote sustainable land use

Key actions: 

  • Sustainable forest management
  • Combating desertification
  • Halting and reversing land degradation
  • Conserving wetlands and their biodiversity

Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Objective: to promote peaceful and inclusive societies and ensure access to justice for all

Key actions: 

  • reducing violence 
  • promoting justice and strong institutions
  • ensuring public safety and access to justice
  • combating corruption and bribery

Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Objective: to strengthen the means of implementation and restore the global partnership for sustainable development

Key actions: 

  • Strengthening the means of implementation
  • Revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development
  • Fostering cooperation between actors of sustainable development.

A universal call to action

It’s important to note that the SDGs are not just a responsibility of governments but also of the private sector, civil society, citizens, and other actors and stakeholders, it’s a global effort, and all actors have to contribute to achieving these goals.

Read about how BRIGHT works towards SDGs and the impact it has had so far

 

Sources:

https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda

https://sdgs.un.org/goals