Facts about UN Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)
This information comes from the United Nations official homepage,
and from the SDGs official website.
The SDGs is a part of the 2030 Agenda, which is a plan of action
for people, planet, and prosperity.
The United Nations(UN) created this agenda to strengthen universal peace
through larger freedom.
The SDGs seek to build on the Millennium Development Goals and
complete what these did not achieve.
Their purpose is to realize the human rights of all and to
achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.
The goals are integrated and indivisble and balance the three
dimensions of sustainable development: the economic, social, and environmental.
This is how the United Nations describe the SDGs:
"The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more
sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including
those related to poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation,
peace, and justice. The 17 Goals are all interconnected, and in order to leave
no one behind, it is important that we achieve them all by 2030."
This is the greatest global challenge of all
time - to completely destroy poverty in all its shapes, even
extreme poverty.
It is an absolute necessity for sustainable development.
It's important that all countries and stakeholders, work together
in partnership, to implement and follow this Agenda. The ultimate goal
is to free the human race from the tyranny of poverty.
We only have one planet to live on, and we want it to
last and be sustainable for future generations. Therefore, it is important
to heal and secure our planet.
For this to happen, transformative and bold steps are needed urgently.
It will eventually shift the world onto a sustainable and resilient path.
The UN's goal is that no one will be left behind.
In total there are 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and 169 targets,
and they show the ambition of the Agenda.
People
The goal is to end poverty and hunger, in all their forms and
dimensions, and to ensure that all human beings can fulfil their
potential in dignity and equality and in a healthy environment.
Planet
The goal is to protect the planet from degradation, including
through sustainable consumption and production, sustainably managing its
natural resources and taking urgent action on climate change, so that
it can support the needs of the present and future generations.
Prosperity
The goal is to ensure that all human beings can enjoy prosperous and
fulfillinf lives and that economic, social, and technological progress
occurs in harmony with nature.
Peace
The goal is to foster peaceful, just, and inclusive societies which are
free from fear and violence. There can be no sustainable development
without peace and no peace without sustainable development.
Partnership
The goal is to mobilize the means required to implement this Agenda
through a revitalised Global Partnership for Sustainable Development,
based on a spirit of strengthened global solidarity, focused in particular
on the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable with the participation
of all countries, stakeholders, and all people.
The interlinkages and integrated nature of the Sustainable Development Goals
are of crucial importance in ensuring that the purpose of the new Agenda
is realised. If we realize our ambitions across the full extent of
the Agenda, the lives of all will be profoundly improved and our
world will be transformed for the better.
Content
Goal 1 - No Poverty
End poverty in all its form everywhere.
Eradicating poverty in all its forms remains one of the greatest challenges facing humanity.
While the number of people living in extreme poverty dropped by more than half between 1990
and 2015, to many are still struggling for the most basic human needs.
As of 2015, about 736 million people still lived on less than US$1.90 a day;
many lack food, clean drinking water and sanitation. Rapid growth in countries such
as China and India has lifted millions out of poverty, but progress has been uneven.
Women are more likely to be poor than men because they have less paid work, education,
and own less property.
Progress has also been limited in other regions such as South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa,
which account for more than 80 percent of those living in extreme poverty. New threats
brought on by climate change, conflict and food insecurity, mean even more work is
needed to bring people out of poverty.
The SDGs are a bold commitment to finish what we started, and end poverty in all forms and
dimensions by 2030. This involves targeting the most vulnerable, increasing basic
resources and services, and supporting communities affected by conclict and climate-related
disasters.
Facts and Figures
- To date there are more than 700 million people, or 10% of the world population,
that still live in extreme poverty. Surviving on less than US$1.90 a day.
- Having a job does not guarantee a decent living. In fact, 8% of employed workers
and their families worldwide lived in extreme poverty in 2018.
- Globally, there are 122 women aged 25 to 34 living in extreme poverty for
every 100 men of the same age group.
- The majority of people living on less than $1.90 a day live in sub-Saharan
Africa.
- High poverty rates are often found in small, fragile and conflict-affected countries.
- Poverty affects children disproportionately. One out of five children live in extreme poverty.
- As of 2018, 55% of the world's population have no access to social protection.
- In 2018, only 41% of women giving birth received maternity cash benefits.
Why is it important?
There are many reasons but in short, because as human beings, our well-being
is linked to each other. Growing inequality is detrimental to economic growth
and undermines social cohesion, increasing political and social tension and, in some
circumstances, driving instabilities and conflicts.
Economic growth must be inclusive to provide sustainable jobs and promote equality.
Goal Targets
- 1.1 By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere,
currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day.
- 1.2 By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of
all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
- 1.3 Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all,
including, floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.
- 1.4 By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have
equal rights to economic resources as well as access to basic services, ownership and control
over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology
and financial services, including microfinance.
- 1.5 By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their
exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and
environmental shocks and disasters.
- 1.A Ensure significant mobilization of resources from a variety of sources, including through enhanced
development cooperation, in order to provide adequate and predictable means for developing countries,
in particular least developed countries, to implement programmes and policies to end poverty in all its
dimensions.
- 1.B Create sound policy frameworks at the national, regional and international levels,
based on pro-poor and gender-sensitive development strategies, to support accelerated investment
in poverty eradication actions.
What can you do to help?
Your active engagement in policymaking can make a difference in addressing poverty.
It ensures that your rights are promoted and that your voice is heard, that
inter-generational knowledge is shared, and that innovation and critical thinking
are encourages at all ages to support transformational change in people's lives and communities.
Governments can help create an enabling environment to generate productive employment and job
opportunities for the poor and marginalized. They can formulate strategies and fiscal policies
that stimulate pro-poor growth, and reduce poverty.
The private sector, as an engine of economic growth, has a major role to play in determining
whether the growth it creates is inclusive and hence contributes to poverty reduction. It can promote
economic opportunities for the poor, focusing on segments of the economy where most of the poor
are active, namely on micro and small enterprises and those operating in the informal sector.
The academic and education community have a major role in increasing the awareness about the impact
of poverty. Science provides the foundation for new and sustainable approaches, solutions and technologies
to tackle the challenges of reducing poverty and achieving sustainable development. The contribution of
science to end poverty has been significant. For example, it has enabled access to safe drinking water,
reduced deatgs caused by water-borne diseases, and improved hygiene to reduce health risks related
to unsafe drinking water and lack of sanitation.
Goal 2 - Zero Hunger
End hunger, achieve food security and imporoved nutrition and promote
sustainable agriculture.
The number of undernourished people has droppped by almost half in the past two decades because of rapid
economic growth and increased agricultural productivity. Many developing countries that used to suffer from famine
and hunger can now meet their nutritional needs. Central and East Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean have
all made huge progress in eradicating extreme hunger.
Unfortunately, extreme hunger and malnutrition remain a huge barrier to development in many countries. There
are 821 million people estimated to be chronically undernourished as of 2017, often as a direct consequence
of environmental degradation, drought and biodiversity loss. Over 90 million children under five are
dangerously underweight. Undernourishment and severe food insecurity appear to be increasing in almost all
regions of Africa, as well as in South America.
The SDGs aim to end all forms of hunger and malnutrition by 2030, making sure all people - especially children -
have sufficient and nutritious food all year. This involves promoting sustainable agriculture, supporting
small-scale farmers and equal access to land, technology and markets. It also requires international
cooperation to ensure investment in infrastructure and technology to improve agricultural productivity.
Facts and Figures
Hunger
- An estimated 821 million people were undernourished in 2017.
- The majority of the world's hungry people live in developing countries, where 12.9 percent of the population
is undernourished.
- Sub-Saharan Africa remains the region with the highest prevalence of hunger, with the rate increasing
from 20.7 percent in 2014 to 23.2 percent in 2017.
- In sub-Saharan Africa, the number of undernourished people increased from 195 million in 2014 to 237
million in 2017.
- Poor nutrition causes nearly half (45 percent) of deaths in children under five - 3.1 million
each year.
- 149 million children under 5 years of age - 22 percent of the global under-5 population - were
still chronically undernourished in 2018.
Food Security
- Agriculture is the single largest employer in the world, providing livelihoods for 40 percent of
today's global population. It is the largest source of income and jobs for poor rural households.
- 500 million small farms worldwide, most still rainfed, provide up to 80 percent of food consumed in a
large part of the developing world. Investing in smallholder women and men is an important way to increase
food security and nutrition for the poorest, as well as food production for local and global markets.
- Since the 1900s, some 75 percent of crop diversity has been lost from farmers' fields.
Better use of agricultural biodiversity can contribute to more nutritious diets, enhanced livelihoods for
farming communities and more resilient and sustainable farming systems.
- If women farmers had the same access to resources as men, the number of hungry in the world
could be reduced by up to 150 million.
- 840 million people have no access to electricity worldwide - most of whom live in rural areas
of the developing world. Energy poverty in many regions is a fundamental barrier to
reducing hunger and ensuring that the world can produce enough food to meet future demand.
Goal Targets
- 2.1 By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable
situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
- 2.2 By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed
targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of
adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and older persons.
- 2.3 By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular
women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, including through secure and equal access to
land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities for
value addition and non-farm employment.
- 2.4 By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that
increase productivity and production, that help maintain exosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to
climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil
quality.
- 2.5 By 2020, maintain the genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals
and their related wild species, including through soundly managed and diversified seed and plant banks at the national, regional
and international levels, and promote access to and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic
resources and associated traditional knowledge, as internationally agreed.
- 2.A Increase investment, including through enhanced international cooperation, in rural infrastructure, agricultural
research and extension services, technology development and plant and livestock gene banks in order to enhance agricultural
productive capacity in developing countries, in particular least developed countries.
- 2.B Correct and prevent trade restrictions and distortions in world agricultural markets, including through the parallel
elimination of all forms of agricultural export subsidies and all export measures with equivalent effect, in accordance
with the mandate of the Doha Development Round.
- 2.C Adopt measures to ensure proper functioning of food commodity markets and their derivatives and
facilitate timely access to market information, including on food reserves, in order to help limit extreme
food price volatility.
Why is it important?
We all want our families to have enough food to eat what is safe and nutritious. A world with zero hunger can positively
impact our economies, health, education, equality and social development.
It's a key piece of building a better future for everyone. Additionally, with hunger limiting human development,
we will not be able to achieve the other sustainable development goals such as education, health and gender equality.
The food and agriculture sector offers key solutions for development,
and is central for hunger and poverty eradication.
What can you do to help?
You can make changes in your own life - at home, at work and in the community - by supporting local farmers or markets
and making sustainable food choices, supporting good nutrition for all, and fighting food waste.
You can also use your power as a consumer and voter, demanding businesses and governments make the choices and changes
that will make Zero Hunger a reality. Join the conversation, whether on social media platforms or in your local communities.
Goal 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeind for all at all ages.
We have made great progress against several leading causes of death and disease. Life expectancy has increased dramatically;
infant and maternal mortality rates have declined, we've turned the tide on HIV and malaria deaths have halved.
Good health is essential to sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda reflects the complexity and internconnectedness of
the two. It takes into account widening economic and social inequalities, rapid urbanization, threats to the climate and the
environment, the continuing burden of HIV and other infectious diseases, and emerging challenges such as noncommunicable
diseases. Universal health coverage will be integral to achieving SDG 3, ending poverty and reducing inequalities. Emerging
global health priorities not explicitly included in the SDGs, including antimicrobial resistance, also demand action.
But the world is off-track to achieve the health-related SDGs. Progress has been uneven, both between and within countries.
There's a 31-year gap between the countries with the shortest and longest life expectancies. And while some countries have made
impressive gains, national averages hide that many are being left behind. Multisectoral, rights-based and gender-sensitive
approaches are essential to address inequalities and to build good health for all.
Facts and Figures
Child Health
- 17,000 fewer children die each day than in 1990, but more than five million children still die before their
fifth birthday each year.
- Since 2000, measles vaccines have averted nearly 15.6 million deaths.
- Despite determined global progress, an increasing proportion of child deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa
and Southern Asia. Four out of every five deaths of children under age five occur in these regions.
- Children born into poverty are almost twice as likely to die before the age of five as those
from wealthier families.
- Children of educated mothers - even mothers with only primary schooling - are more likely to survive
than children of mothers with no education.
Maternal Health
- Maternal mortality has fallen by 37% since 2000.
- In Eastern Asia, North Africa and Southern Asia, maternal mortality has declined by around two-thirds.
- But maternal mortality ratio - the proportion of mothers that do not survive childbirth compared
to those who do - in developing regions is still 14 times higher than in the developed regions.
- More women are receiving antenatal care. In developing regions, antenatal care increased from 65 percent
in 1990 to 83 percent in 2012.
- Only half of women in developing regions, but progress has slowed. The large increase in
contraceptive use in the 1990s was not matched in the 2000s.
- The need for family planning is slowly being met for more women, but demand is increasing at a rapid pace.
HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
- 36.9 million people globally were living with HIV in 2017.
- 21.7 million people were accessing antiretroviral therapy in 2017.
- 1.8 million people became newly infected with HIV in 2017.
- 940 000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses in 2017.
- 77.3 million people have become infected with HIV since the start of the epidemic.
- 35.4 million people have died from AIDS-related illnesses since the start of the epidemic.
- Tuberculosis remains the leading cause of death among people living with HIV, accounting for around one
in three AIDS-related deaths.
- Globally, adolescent girls and young women face gender-based inequalities, exlusion, discrimination
and violence, which put them at increased risk of acquiring HIV.
- HIV is the leading cause of death for women of reproductive age worldwide.
- AIDS is now the leading cause of death among adolescents (aged 10-19) in Africa and the second most
common cause of death among adolescents globally.
- Over 6.2 million malaria deaths have been averted between 2000 and 2015, primarily of children under five
years of age in sub-Saharan Africa. The global malaria incidence rate has fallen by an estimated 37 percent
and the mortality rates by 58 percent.
Goal Targets
- 3.1 By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.
- 3.2 By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries
aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality
to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.
- 3.3 By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases
and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.
- 3.4 By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases through prevention
and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
- 3.5 Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and
harmful use of alcohol.
- 3.6 By 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents.
- 3.7 By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for
family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies
and programmes.
- 3.8 Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential
health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
- 3.9 By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air,
water and soil pollution and contamination.
- 3.A Strengthen the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
in all countries, as appropriate.
- 3.B Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and noncommunicable
diseases that primarily affect developing countries, provide access to affordable essential medicines
and vaccines, in accordance with the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health,
which affirms the right of developing countries to use to the full the provisions in the Agreement on Trade Related
Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights regarding flexibilities to protect public health, and, in particular, provide access
to medicines for all.
- 3.C Substantially increase health financing and the recruitment, development, training and retention of
the health workforce in developing countries, especially in least developed countries and small island developing
States.
- 3.D Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning,
risk education and management of national and global health risks.
Why is it important?
Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages is important to building prosperous societies.
Major progress has been made in improving the health of millions of people. Maternal and child mortality rates have been reduced,
life expectancy continues to increase globally, and the fight against some infectious diseases has made steady profress.
However, in the case of other diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis, progress has slowed or stalled.
At least half the world's population are still without access to essential health services.
In rich and poor countries alike, a health emergency can push people into bankruptcy or poverty.
Concentrated efforts are required to achieve universal health coverage and sustainable financing for health;
address the growing burden och noncommunicable diseases, tackle antimicrobial resistance and environmental
factors contributing to ill health.
What can you do to help?
You can start by promoting and protecting your own health and the health of those around you, by making well-informed
choices, practicing safe sex and vaccinating your children.
You can raise awareness in your community about the importance of good health, healthy lifestyles as well as people's
rights to quality health care services, especially for the most vulnerable such as women and children.
You can also hold your government, local leaders, and other decision-makers accountable to their commitments to improve
people's access to health and health care.
Goal 4 - Quality Education
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning
opportunities for all.
Since 2000, there has been enormous progress in achieving the target of universal primary education. The total enrolment rate
in developing regions reached 91 percent in 2015, and the worldwide number of children out of school has dropped by almost
half. There has also been a dramatic increase in literacy rates, and many more girls are in schoool than ever before.
These are all remarkable successes.
Progress has also been tough in some developing regions due to high levels of poverty, armed conflicts and other emergencies.
In Western Asia and North Africa, ongoing armed conflict has seen an increase in the number of children out of school.
This is a worrying trend. While sub-Saharan Africa made the greatest progress in primary school enrolment among all developing
regions - from 52 percent in 1990, up to 78 percent in 2012 - large disparities still remain. Children from the poorest
households are up to four times more likely to be out of school than those of the richest households. Disparities between
rural and urban areas also remain high.
Achieving inclusive and quality education for all reaffirms the belief that education is one of the most powerful and proven
vehicles for sustainable development. This goal ensures that all girls and boys complete free primary and secondary schooling
by 2030. It also aims to provide equal access to affordable vocational training, to eliminate gender and wealth disparities,
and achieve universal access to a quality higher education.
Facts and Figures
- Enrolment in primary education in developing countries has reached 91 percent but 57 million
primary age children remain out of school.
- More than half of children that have not enrolled in school live in sub-Saharan Africa.
- An estimated 50 percent of out-of-school children of primary school age live in conflict-affected areas.
- 617 million youth worldwide lack basic mathematics and literacy skills.
Goal Targets
- 4.1 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary
education leading to relevant and Goal-4 effective learning outcomes.
- 4.2 By 2030, ensure that all girls ad boys have access to quality early childhood development,
care and preprimary education so that they are ready for primary education.
- 4.3 By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational
and tertiary education, including university.
- 4.4 By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills,
including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
- 4.5 By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education
and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children
in vulnerable situations.
- 4.6 By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve
literacy and numeracy.
- 4.7 By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable
development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles,
human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and
appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture's contribution to sustainable development.
- 4.A Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide
safe, nonviolent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.
- 4.B By 2020, substantially expand globally the number of scholarships available to developing countries,
in particular least developed countries, small island developing States and African countries, for enrolment in higher
and scientific programmes, in developed countries and other developing countries.
- 4.C By 2030, substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers, including through international
cooperation for teacher training in developing countries, especially least developed countries and small
island developing states.
Why is it important?
Education enables upward socioeconomic mobility and is a key to escaping property. Education is also essential to achieving
many other SDGs.
When people are able to get quality education they can break from the cycle of poverty. Education helps to reduce
inequalities and to reach gender equality. In fact, one extra year of education is associated with a reduction
of the Gini coefficient by 1.4 percentage points.
Education empowers people everywhere to live more healthy and sustainable lives. Education is also crucial
to fostering tolerance between people and contributes to more peaceful societies.
What can you do to help?
Ask our governments to place education as a priority in both policy and practice. Lobby our goverments to make
firm commitments to provide free primary school education to all, including vulnerable and marginalized groups.
Encourage the private sector to invest resources in the development of educational tools and facilities. Urge NGOs to partner
with youth and other groups to foster the importance of education within local communities.
Goal 5 - Gender Equality
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
Ending all discrimination against women and girls is not only a basic human right, it's crucial for sustainable future;
it's proven that empowering women and girls helps economic growth and development.
UNDP has made gender equality central to its work and we've seen remarkable progress in the past 20 years. There are
more girls in school now compared to 15 years ago, and most regions have reached gender parity in primary education.
But although there are more women than ever in the labour markets, there are still large inequalities in some regions,
with women systematically denied the same work rights as men. Sexual violence and exploitation, the unequal division of
unpaid care and domestic work, and discrimination in public office all remain huge barriers. Climate change and disasters
continue to have a disproportionate effect on women and children, as do conflict and migration.

Today there are more women in public office than ever before, but encouraging more women leaders will help achieve greater
gender equality.
Facts and Figures
- Globally, 750 million women and girls were married before the age of 18 and at least 200 million women and
girls in 30 countries have undergone FGM.
- The rates of girls between 15-19 who are subjected to FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) in the 30 countries
where the practice is concentrated have dopped from 1 in 2 girls in 2000 to 1 in 3 girls by 2017.
- In 18 countries, husbands can legally prevent their wives from working; in 39 countries, daughters and sons
do not have equal inheritance rights; and 49 countries lack laws protecting women from domestic violence.
- One in five women and girls, including 19 percent of women and girls aged 15 to 49, have experienced
physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner within the last 12 months. Yet, 49 countries have no laws
that specifically protect women from such violence.
- While women have made important inroads into political office across the world, their representation
in national parliaments at 23.7 percent is still far from parity.
- In 46 countries, women now hold more than 30 percent of seats in national parliament in at least one chamber.
- Only 52 percent of women married or in a union freely make their own decisions about sexual relations,
contraceptive use and health care.
- Globally, women are just 13 percent of agricultural land holders.
- Women in Northern Africa hold less than one in five paid jobs in the non-agricultural sector.
The proportion of women in paid employment outside the agriculture sector has increased from 35 percent in 1990
to 41 percent in 2015.
- More than 100 countries have taken action to track budget allocations for gender equality.
- In Southern Asia, a girl's risk of marrying in childhood has dropped by over 40% since 2000.
Goal Targets
- 5.1 End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
- 5.2 Eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in the public and private spheres,
including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
- 5.3 Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
- 5.4 Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services,
infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within
the household and the family as nationally appropriate.
- 5.5 Ensure women's full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of
decisionmaking in political, economic and public life.
- 5.6 Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed
in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development
and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences.
- 5.A Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership
and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and natural resources,
in accordance with national laws.
- 5.B Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology,
to promote the empowerment of women.
- 5.C Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforeable legislation for the promotion of gender
equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels.
Why is it important?
Regardless of where you live, gender equality us a fundamental human right. Advancing gender equality is critical
to all areas of a healthy society, from reducing poverty to promoting health, education, protection and the well-being
of girls and boys. Investing in education programmes for girls and increasing the age at which they marry can return $5
for every dollar spent. Investing in programs improving income-generating activities for women can return $7 dollars
for every dollar spent.
Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary
foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world.
What can you do to help?
If you are a girl, you can stay in school, help empower your female classmates to do the same and fight for your
right to access sexual and reproductive health services. If you are a woman, you can address unconscious biases
and implicit associations that form an unintended and often invisble barrier to equal opportunity.
If you are a man or a boy, you can work alongside women and girls to achieve gender equality and embrace healthy,
respectful relationships.
You can fund education campaigns to curb cultural practices like female genital mutilation and change harmful laws that
limit the rights of women and girls and prevent them from achieving their full potential.
Goal 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Water scarcity affects more than 40 percent of people, an alarming figure that is projected to rise as temperatures do.
Although 2.1 billion people have improved water sanitation since 1990, dwindling drinking water supplies are affecting
every continent.
More and more countries are experiencing water stress, and increasing drought and desertification is already worsening
these trends. By 2050 it is projected that at least one in four people will suffer recurring water shortages.
Safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030 requires we invest in adequate infrastructure, provide sanitation
facilities, and encourage hygiene. Protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems is essential.
Ensuring universal safe and affordable drinking water involves reaching over 800 million people who lack basic services
and improving accessibility and safety of services for over two billion.
In 2015, 4.5 billion people lacked safely managed sanitation services (with adequately disposed or treated excreta) and
2.3 billion lacked even basic sanitation.
Facts and Figures
- 1 in 4 health care facilities lacks basic water services.
- 3 in 10 people lack access to safely managed drinking water services and in 6 in 10 people lack access
to safely managed sanitation facilities.
- At least 892 million people continue to practice open defecation.
- Women and girls are responsible for water collection in 80 percent of households without access to water on premises.
- Between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of the global population using an improved drinking water sources has
has increased from 76 percent to 90 percent.
- Water scarcity affects more than 40 percent of the global population and is projected to rise. Over 1.7 billion
people are currently living in river basins where water use exceeds recharge.
- 2.4 billion people lack access to basic sanitation services, such as toilets and latrines.
- More than 80 percent of wastewater resulting from human activities is discharged into rivers
or sea without any pollution removal.
- Each day, nearly 1,000 children die due to preventable water and sanitation-related diarrheal diseas.
- Approximately 70 percent of all water abstracted from rivers, lakes and aquifers is used for irrigation.
- Floods and other water-related disasters account for 70 percent of all deaths related to natural disasters.
Goal Targets
- 6.1 By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
- 6.2 By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open
defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations.
- 6.3 By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous
chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially
increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.
- 6.4 By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals
and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering
from water scarcity.
- 6.5 By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through
transboundary cooperation as appropriate.
- 6.6 By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands,
rivers, aquifers and lakes.
- 6.A By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries
in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water
efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies.
- 6.B Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.
Why is it important?
The demand for water has outpaced population growth, and half the world's population is already experiencing severe water
scarcity at least one month a year. Access to water, sanitation and hygiene is a human right, yet billions are still faced
with daily challenges accessing even the most basic of services.
3 in 10 people lack access to safely managed drinking water services. About 3 billion people lack access to basic sanitation
services, such as toilets or latrines.
More than 80 percent of wastewater resulting from human activities is discharged into rivers or sea without
any treatment, leading to pollution.
Clean, accessible water for all is an essential part of the world we
want to live in.
What can you do to help?
Civil society organizations should work to keep governments accountable, invest in water research
and development, and promote the inclusion of women, youth and indigenous communities in water
resource governance.
Generating awareness of these roles and turning them into action will lead to win-win results and
increased sustainability and integrity for both humans and ecological systems.
You can also get involved in the World Water Day and World Toilet Day campaigns that aim to provide
information and inspiration to take action on hygiene issues.
Goal 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
Between 2000 and 2016, the number of people with electricity increased from 78 to 87 percent, and the numbers without
electricity dipped to just below 1 billion.
Yet as the population continues to grow, so will the demand for cheap energy, and an economy reliant on fossil fuels is
creating drastic changes to our climate.
Investing in solar, wind and thermal power, improving energy productivity, and ensuring energy for all is vital if we are
to achieve SDG 7 by 2030.
Expanding infrastructure and upgrading technology to provide clean and more efficient energy in all countries will
encourage growth and help the environment.
Facts and Figures
- 13% of the global population still lacks access to modern electricity.
- 3 billion people rely on wood, coal, charcoal or animal waste for cooking and heating.
- Energy is the dominant contributor to climate change, accounting for around 60 percent of total global
greenhouse gas emissions.
- Indoor air pollution from using combustible fuels for household energy caused 4.3 million deaths in 2012,
with women and girls accounting for 6 out of every 10 of these.
- The share of renewable energy in final energy consumption has reached 17.5% in 2015.
Goal Targets
- 7.1 By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.
- 7.2 By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
- 7.3 By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
- 7.A By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology,
including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote
investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology.
- 7.B By 2030, expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services
for all in developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States, and
landlocked developing countries, in accordance with their respective programmes of support.
Why is it important?
For many decades, fossil fuels such as coal, oil or gas have been major sources of electricity production,
but burning carbon fuels produces large amounts of greenhouse gases which cause climate change and have harmful
impacts on people's well-being and the environment. This affects everyone, not just a few. Moreover, global electricity
use is rising rapidly. In a nutshell, without a stable electricity supply, countries will not be able to power their
economies.
Energy is central to nearly every major challenge and opportunity.
What can you do to help?
Countries can accelerate the transition to an affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy system by investing in
renewable energy resources, prioritizing energy efficient practices, and adopting clean energy technologies and
infrastructure. Businesses can maintain and protect ecosystems to be able to use and further develop hydropower
sources of electricity and bioenergy, and commit to sourcing 100% of operational electricity needs from renewable
sources.
Employers can reduce the internal demand for transport by prioritizing telecommunications and incentivize less energy
intensive modes such as train travel over auto and air travel. Investors can invest more in sustainable energy services,
bringing new technologies to the market quickly from a diverse supplier base.
You can save electricity by plugging appliances into a power strip and turning them off completely when not in use,
including your computer. You can also bike, walk or take public transport to reduce carbon emissions.
Goal 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full
and productive employment and decent work for all.
Over the past 25 years the number of workers living in extreme poverty has declined dramatically, despite the lasting
impact of the 2008 economic crisis and global recession. In developing countries, the middle class now makes up more than
34 percent of total employment - a number that has almost tripled between 1991 and 2015.
However, as the global economy continues to recover we are seeing slower growth, widening inequalities, and not enough
jobs to keep up with a growing labour force. According to the International Labour Organization, more than 204 million
people were unemployed in 2015.
The SDGs promote sustained economic growth, higher levels of productivity and technological innovation. Encouraging entrepreneurship
and job creation are key to this, as are effective measures to eradicate forced labour, slavery and human trafficking. With
these targets in mind, the goal is to achieve full and productive employment, and decent work, for all women and men by 2030.
Facts and Figures
- The global unemployment rate in 2017 was 5.6%, down from 6.4% in 2000.
- Globally, 61% of all workers were engaged in informal employment in 2016. Excluding the agricultural sector,
51% of all workers fell into this employment category.
- Men earn 12.5% more than women in 40 out of 45 countries with data.
- The global gender pay gap stands at 23 percent globally and without decisive action, it will take another
68 years to achieve equal pay. Women's labour force participation rate is 63 percent while that of men is 94
percent.
- Despite their increasing presence in public life, women continue to do 2.6 times the unpaid care and domestic
work that men do.
- 470 million jobs are needed globally for new entrants to the labour market between 2016 and 2030.
Goal Targets
- 8.1 Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least
7 percent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries.
- 8.2 Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation,
including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors.
- 8.3 Promote development-orientated policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship,
creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises,
including through access to financial services.
- 8.4 Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and
endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, in accordance with the 10-year framework of
programmes on sustainable consumption and production, with developed countries taking the lead.
- 8.5 By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including
for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
- 8.6 By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.
- 8.7 Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking
and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of
child soldiers, and by 2030 end child labour in all its forms.
- 8.8 Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant
workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment.
- 8.9 By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes
local culture and products.
- 8.10 Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking,
insurances and financial services for all.
- 8.A Increase Aid for Trade support for developing countries, in particular least developed countries,
including through the Enhanced Integrated Framework for Trade-Related Technical Assistance to Least Developed Countries.
- 8.B By 2020, develop and operationalize a global strategy for youth employment and implement the Global
Jobs Pact of the International Labour Organization.
Why is it important?
Society as a whole benefits when more people are being productive and contributing to their country's growth.
Productive employment and "decent work" are key elements to achieving fair globalization and poverty reduction.
In addition, unemployment can lead to unrest and disrupt peace if it is left unaddressed.
Sustainable economic growth will require societies to create the conditions
that allow people to have quality jobs.
What can you do to help?
Providing youth the best opportunity to transition to a decent job calls for investing in education and training of the
highest possible quality, providing youth with skills that match labour market demands, giving them access to social
protection and basic services regardless of their contract type, we well as levelling the playing field so that all
aspiring youth can attain productive employment regardless of their gender, income level or socioeconomic background.
Governments can work to build dynamic, sustainable, innovative and people-centred economies, promoting youth employment
and women's economic empowerment, in particular, and decent work for all. Local authorities and communities can renew
and plan their cities and human settlements so as to foster community cohesion and personal security and to stimulate
innovation and employment.
Goal 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable
industrialization and foster innovation.
Investment in infrastructure and innovation are crucial drivers of economic growth and development. With over half the world
population now living in cities, mass transport and renewable energy are becoming ever more important, as are the growth
of new industries and information and communication technologies.
Technological progress is also key to finding lasting solutions to both economic and environmental challenges, such as providing
new jobs and promoting energy efficiency. Promoting sustainable industries, and investing in scientific research and innovation,
are all important ways to facilitate sustainable development.
More than 4 billion people still do not have access to the Internet, and 90 percent are from the developing world. Bridging
this digital divide is crucial to ensure equal access to information and knowledge, as well as foster innovation and
entrepreneurship.
Facts and Figures
- Basic infrastructure like roads, information and communication technologies, sanitation, electrical power and
water remains scarce in many developing countries.
- 16% of the global population does not have access to mobile broadband networks.
- For many African countries, particularly the lower-income countries, the existent contraints regarding
infrastructure affect firm productivity by around 40 percent.
- The global share of manufacturing value added in GDP increased from 15.2% in 2005 to 16.3% in 2017,
driven by the fast growth of manufacturing in Asia.
- Industrialization's job multiplication effect has a positive impact on society. Every job in manufacturing creates
2.2 jobs in other sectors.
- Small and medium-sized enterprises that engage in industrial processing and manufacturing are the most critical for the
early stages of industrialization and are typically the largest job creators. They make up over 90 percent of business
worldwide and account for between 50-60 percent of employment.
- Least developed countries have immense potential for industrialization in food and beverages (agro-industry), and
textiles and garments, with good prospects for sustained employment generation and higher productivity.
- Middle-income countries can benefit from entering the basic and fabricated metals industries, which offer a range of products
facing rapidly growing international demand.
- In developing countries, barely 30 percent of agricultural production undergoes industrial processing. In high-income
countries, 98 percent is processed. This suggests that there are great opportunities for developing countries
in agribusiness.
Goal Targets
- 9.1 Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure,
to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
- 9.2 Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry's
share of employment and gross domestic product, in line with national circumstances, and double its share in
least developed countries.
- 9.3 Increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises, in particular in developing countries,
to finaincial services, including affordable credit, and their integration into value chains and markets.
- 9.4 By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use
efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes,
with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities.
- 9.5 Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries,
in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing
the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development
spending.
- 9.A Facilitate sustainable and resilient infrastructure development in developing countries through
enhanced financial, technological and technical support to African countries, least developed
countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States.
- 9.B Support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries, including
by ensuring a conducive policy environment for, inter alia, industrial diversification and value
addition to commodities.
- 9.C Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide
universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries by 2020.
Why is it important?
Inclusive and sustainable industrialization, together with innovation and infrastructure, can unleash
dynamic and competitive economic forces that generate employment and income. They play a key role in introducing
and promoting new technologies, facilitating international trade and enabling the efficient use of resources.
The growth of new industries means improvement in the standard of living for many of us.
Also, if industries pursue sustainability, this approach will have a positive effect on the environment.
Climate change affects all of us.
Investments in ifrastructure are crucial to achieving sustainable
development.
What can you do to help?
Establish standards and promote regulations that ensure company projects and initiatives are sustainably
managed.
Collaborate with NGOs and the public secotr to help promote sustainable growth within developing
countries.
Think about how industry impacts on your life and well-being and use social media to push for
policymakers to prioritize the SDGs.
Goal 10 - Reduced Inequalities
Reduce inequality within and among countries.
Income inequality is on the rise - the richest 10 percent have up to 40 percent of global income whereas
the poorest 10 percent earn only between 2 to 7 percent. If we take into account population growth inequality
in developing countries, inequality has increased by 11 percent.
Income inequality has increased in nearly everywhere in recent decades, but at different speeds. It's lowest
in Europe and highest in the Middle East.
These widening disparities require sound policies to empower lower income earners, and promote economic inclusion
of all regardless of sex, race or ethnicity.
Income inequality requires global solutions. This involves improving the regulation and monitoring of financial
markets and institutions, encouraging development assistance and foreign direct investment to regions where the
need is greatest. Facilitating the safe migration and mobility of people is also key to bridging the widedning
divide.
Facts and Figures
- In 2016, over 64.4% of products exported by the least developed countries to
world markets faced zero tariffs, an increase of 20% since 2010.
- Evidence from developing countries shows that children in the poorest 20 percent of the populations
are still up to three times more likely to die before their fifth birthday than children in the richest
quintiles.
- Social protection has been significantly extended globally, yet persons with disabilities are up to five
times more likely than average to incur catastrophic health expenditures.
- Despite overall declines in maternal mortality in most developing countries, women in rural areas are still
up to three times more likely to die while giving birth than women living in urban centers.
- Up to 30 percent of income inequality is due to to inequality within households, including between women and men.
Women are also more likely than men to live below 50 percent of the median income.
Goal Targets
- 10.1 By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 percent of the population
at a higher rate than the national average.
- 10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective
of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
- 10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome including eliminating discriminatory laws,
policies and practices and promoting legislation, policies and action in this regard.
- 10.4 Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve
greater equality.
- 10.5 Improve the regulation and monitoring of global financial markets and institutions and strengthen
the implementation of such regulations.
- 10.6 Ensure enhanced representation and voice for developing countries in decision-making in global
international economic and financial institutions in order to deliver more effective, credible, accountable
and legitimate institutions.
- 10.7 Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through
the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.
- 10.A Implement the principle of special and differential treatment for developing countries, in particular
least developed countries, in accordance with World Trade Organization agreements.
- 10.B Encourage official development assistance and financial flows, incuding foreign direct investment,
to States where the need is greatest, in particular least developed countries, African countries, small island
developing States and landlocked developing countries, in accordance with their national plans and programmes.
- 10.C By 2030, reduce less than 3 percent the transaction costs of migrant remittances and eliminate
remittance corridors with costs higher than 5 percent.
Why is it important?
In today's world, we are all interconnected. Problems and challenges, be they poverty, climate change, migration
or economic crises are never just confined to one country or region. Even the richest countries still have communities
living in abject poverty. The oldest democracies still wrestle with racism, homophobia and transphobia, and
religious intolerance. Global inequality affects us all, no matter who we are or where we are from.
To reduce Inequalities, policies should be universal in principle, paying
attention to the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized populations.
What can you do to help?
Reducing inequality requires transformative change. Greater efforts are needed to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger,
and invest more in health, education, social protection and decent jobs especially for young people, migrants
and other vulnerable communities.
Within countries, it is important to empower and promote inclusive social and economic growth. We can ensure equal
opportunity and reduce inequalities of income if we eliminate discriminatory laws, policies and practices.
Among countries, we need to ensure that developing countries are better represented in decisionmaking on global issues
so that solutions can be more effective, credible and accountable.
Governments and other stakeholders can also promote safe, regular and responsible migration, including through planned
and well-managed policies, for the millions of people who have left their homes seeking better lives due to war,
discrimination, poverty, lack of opportunity and other drivers of migration.
Goal 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and
sustainable.
More than half of us live in cities. By 2050, two-thirds of all humanity - 6.5 billion people - will be urban.
Sustainable development cannot be achieved without significantly transforming the way we build and manage
our urban spaces.
The rapid growth of cities - as a result of rising populations and increasing migration - has led to a boom in
mega-cities, especially in the developing world, and slums are becoming a more significant feature of urban life.
Making cities sustainable means creating careed and business opportunities, safe and affordable housing, and
building resilient societies and economies. It involves investment in public transport, creating green
public spaces, and improving urban planning and management in participatory and inclusive ways.
Facts and Figures
- Half of humanity - 3.5 billion people - lives in cities today and 5 billion people are projected to live
in citiesby 2030.
- 95 percent of urban expansion in the next decades will take place in developing world.
- 883 milllon people live in slumbs today and more of them are found in Eastern and South-Eastern Asia.
- The world's citiies occupy just 3 percent of the Earth's land, but account for 60-80 percent of energy consumption
and 75 percent of carbon emissions.
- Rapid urbanization is exerting pressure on fresh water supplies, sewage, the living environment, and public
health.
- As of 2016, 90% of urban dwellers have been breathing unsafe air, resulting in 4.2 million deaths due to ambient
air pollution. More than half of the global urban polulation were exposed to air pollution levels at least
2.5 times higher than the safety standard.
Goal Targets
- 11.1 By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services
and upgrade slums.
- 11.2 By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for
all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in
vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons.
- 11.3 By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable
human settlement planning and management in all countries.
- 11.4 Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world's cultural and natural heritage.
- 11.5 By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the
substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters,
including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor ant people in vulnerable situations.
- 11.6 By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to
air quality and municipal and other waste management.
- 11.7 By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public space, in particular for
women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities.
- 11.A Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national
and regional development planning.
- 11.B By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies
and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaption to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement,
in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels.
- 11.C Suport least developed countries, including through financial and technical assistance, in building sustainable and resilient
buildings utilizing local materials.
Why is it important?
All these issues will eventually affect every citizen. Inequality can lead to unrest and insecurity, pollution deteriorates everyone's
health and affects worker's productivity and therefore the economy, and natural disasters have the potential to disrupt everyone's
lifestyles.
There needs to be a future in which cities provide opportunities
for all, with access to basic services, energy, housing, transportation
and more.
What can you do to help?
Take an active interest in the governance and management of your city. Advocate for the kind of city you believe you need.
Develop a vision for your building, street, and neighbourhood, and act on that vision. Are there enough jobs? Can your
children walk to school safely? Can you walk with your family at night? How far is the nearest public transport? What's
the air quality like? What are your shared public spaces like? The better the conditions you create in your community,
the greater the effect on quality of life.
Goal 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Achieving economic growth and sustainable development requires that we urgently reduce our ecological footprint
by changing the way we produce and consume goods and resources. Agriculture is the biggest user of water worldwide,
and irrigation now claims close to 70 percent of all freshwater for human use.
The efficient management of our shared natural resources, and the way we dispose of toxic waste and pollutants,
are important targets to achieve this goal. Encouraging industries, businesses and consumers to recycle and reduce
waste is equally important, as is supporting developing countries to move towards more sustainable patterns of
consumption by 2030.
A large share of the world population is still consuming far too little to meet even their basic needs. Halving
the per capita of global food waste at the retailer and consumer levels is also important for creating more efficient
production and supply chains. This can help with food security, and shift us towards a more resource efficient
economy.
Facts and Figures
- Should the global population reach 9.6 billion by 2050, the equivalent of almost three planets could be required
to provide the natural resources needed to sustain current lifestyles.
- With rises in the use of non-metallic minerals within infrastructure and construction, there has been
significant improvement in the material standard of living. The per capita "material footprint" of developing countries
increased from 5 metric tons in 2000 to 9 metric tons in 2017.
- 93% of the world's 250 largest companies are now reporting on sustainability.
Water
- Less than 3 percent of the world's water is fresh (drinkable), of which 2.5% is frozen in the Antarctica,
Arctic and glaciers. Humanity must therefore rely on 0.5 percent for all of man's ecosystem's and
fresh water needs.
- Humankind is polluting water in rivers and lakes faster than nature can recycle and purify.
- More than 1 billion people still do not have access to fresh water.
- Excessive use of water contributes to the global water stress.
- Water is free from nature but the infrastructure needed to deliver it is expensive.
Energy
- If people worldwide switched to energy efficient lightbulbs, the world would save US$120 billion
dollar annually.
- Despite technological advances that have promoted energy efficiency gains, energy use in OECD countries
will continue to grow another 35 percent by 2030. Commercial and residential energy use is the second
most rapidly growing area of global energy use after transport.
- In 2002 the motor vehicle stock in OECD countries was 550 million vehicles (75 percent of which were
personal cars). A 32 percent increase in vehicle ownership is expected by 2030. At the same time, motor vehicle
kilometers are projected to increase by 40 percent and global air travel is projected to triple in the same period.
- Households consume 29 percent of global energy and consequently contribute to 21 percent of resultant CO2 emissions.
- The share of renewable energy in final energy consumption has reached 17.5% in 2015.
Food
- While substantial environmental impacts from food occur in the production phase (agriculture, food processing), households
influence these impacts through their dietary choices and habits. This consequently affects the environment through
food-related energy consumption and waste generation.
- Each year, an estimated 1/3 of all food produced - equivalent to 1.3 billon tons worth around $1 trillion - ends
up rotting in the bins of consumers and retailers, or spoiling due to poor transportation and harvesting practices.
- 2 billion people globally are overweight or obese.
- Land degradation, declining soil fertility, unsustainable water use, overfishing and marine environment degradation
are all lessening the ability of the natural resource base to supply food.
- The food sector accounts for around 30 percent of the world's total energy consumption and accounts for around 22
percent of total greenhouse gas emissions.
Goal Targets
- 12.1 Implement the 10-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production, all countries taking action,
with developed countries taking the lead, taking into account the development and capabilities of developing countries.
- 12.2 By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
- 12.3 By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production
and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.
- 12.4 By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance
with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse
impacts on human health and the environment.
- 12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
- 12.6 Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate
sustainability information into their reporting cycle.
- 12.7 Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities.
- 12.8 By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have relevant information and awareness for sustainable development
and lifestyles in harmony with nature.
- 12.A Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable
patterns of consumption and production.
- 12.B Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes
local culture and products.
- 12.C Rationalize inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption by removing market distortions, in accordance
with national circumstances, including by restructuring taxation and phasing out those harmful subsidies, where they exist, to reflect
their environmental impacts, taking fully into account the specific needs and conditions of developing countries and minimizing the possible
adverse impacts on their development in a manner that protects the poor and the affected communities.
Why is it important?
Economic and social progress over the last century has been accompanied by environmental degradation that is endangering the very systems on
which our future development and very survival depend.
If we don't act to change our consumption and production patterns, we will cause irreversible damage to our environment.
Responsible production and consumption.
What can you do to help?
As a Business
It's in businesses' interest to find new solutions that enable sustainable consumption and production patterns.
A better understanding of environmental and social impacts of products and services is needed, both of product life cycles
and how these are affected by use within lifestyles.
Identifying "hot spots" within the value chain where interventions have the greatest potential to improve the environmental
and social impact of the system as a whole is a crucial first step.
Businesses can also use their innovative power to design solutions that can both enable and inspire individuals to lead more
sustainable lifestyles, reducing impacts and improving well-being.
As a Consumer
There are two main ways to help: 1. Reducing your waste and 2. Being thoughtful about what you buy and choosing a sustainable option
whenever possible. Reducing our waste can be done in many ways, from ensuring you don't throw away food to reducing your consumption of plastic -
one of the main pollutants of the ocean. Carrying a reusable bag, refusing to use plastic straws, and recycling plastic bottles are good ways
to do your part every day.
Making informed purchases about what we're buying also helps. For example, the textile industry today is the second largest polluter of clean water
after agriculture, and many fashion companies exploit textile workers in the developing world. If you can buy from sustainable and local sources
you can make a difference as well as exercising pressure on businesses to adopt sustainable practices.
Goal 13 - Climate Action
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
There is no country that is not experiencing the drastic effects of climate change. Greenhouse gas emissions are more than 50 percent higher than in 1990.
Global warming is causing long-lasting changes to our climate system, which threatens irreversible consequences if we do not act.
The annual average economic losses from climate-related disaster are in the hundreds of billion of dollars. This is not to mention the human impact of geo-physical
disasters, which are 91 percent climate-related, and which between 1998 and 2017 killed 1.3 million people, and left 4.4 billion injured. The goal aims to mobilize US$100 billion
annually by 2020 to address the needs of developing countries to both adapt to climate change and invest in low-carbon development.
Supporting vulnerable regions will directly contribute not only to Goal 13 but also to the other SDGs. These actions must also go hand in hand with efforts to integrate disaster risk
measures, sustainable natural resource management, and human security into national development strategies. It is still possible, with strong political will, increased investment, and using
existing technology, to limit the increase in global mean temperature to two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, aiming at 1.5 degrees Celsius, but this requires urgent and
ambitious collective action.
Facts and Figures
- As of April 2018, 175 parties had ratified the Paris Agreement and 168 parties had communicated their first nationally determined contributions to the UN framework convention
on Climate Change Secretariat.
- As of April 2018, 10 developing countries had successfully completed and submitted their first iteration of their national adaptation plans for responding to climate
change.
- Developed country parties continue to make progress towards the goal of jointly mobilizing $100 billion annually by 2020 for mitigation actions.
Thanks to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change we know
- From 1880 to 2012, average global temperature increased by 0.85 degrees Celsius. To put this into perspective, for each 1 degree of temperature increase, grain
yields decline by about 5 percent. Maize, wheat and other major crops have experienced significant yield reductions at the global level of 40 megatons per year between
1981 and 2002 due to warmer climate.
- Oceans have warmed, the amounts of snow and ice have diminished and sea level has risen. From 1901 to 2010, the global average sea level rose by 19 cm as oceans
expanded due to warming and ice melted. The Arctic's sea ice extent has shrunk in every successive decade since 1979, with 1.07 million km2 of ice
loss every decade.
- Given current concentrations and on-going emissions of greenhouse gases, it is likely that by the end of this century, the increase in global temperature
will exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to 1850 to 1900 for all but one scenario. The world's oceans will warm and ice melt will continue. Average sea level rise is
predicted as 24-30 cm by 2065 and 40-63 cm by 2100. Most aspects of climate change will persist for many centuries even if emissions are stopped.
- Global emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) have increased by almost 50 percent since 1990.
- Emissions grew more quickly between 2000 and 2010 than in each of the three previous decades.
- It is still possible, using a wide array of technological measures and changes in behavior, to limit the increase in global mean temperature to two degrees
Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
- Major Institutional and technological change will give a better than even chance that global warming will not exceed this threshold.
Goal Targets
- 13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
- 13.2 Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
- 13.3 Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation,
impact reduction and early warning.
- 13.A Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal
of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries in the contect of meaningful
mitigation actions and transparency on implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its capitalization as soon as possible.
- 13.B Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing States,
including focusing on women, youth and local and marginalized communities.
Why is it important?
As greenhouse gas levels continue to climb, climate change is occuring at much higher rates than anticipated, and its effects are evident worldwide. By addressing
climate change, we can build a sustainable world for everyone. But we need to act now.
Severe weather and rising sea levels are affecting people and their property in developed and developing countries. From a small farmer in the Philippines to a businessman
in London, climate change is affecting everything, especially the poor and vulnerable, as well as marginalized groups like women, children and the elderly.
Climate change is a global challenge that affects everyone, everywhere.
What can you do to help?
Food
What we eat has major implications for climate change. The destruction of rainforests to create land for agriculture, along with growing demand for meat, are major
contributors to the increasing greenhouse gases which are taking a significant toll on climate and global food security. To top it off, we waste about one-third of
the food that is produced. But more people are taking a closer look at what they are eating and the impacts of their diets on their health and environment. More and
more chefs and other food suppliers are focusing on local and organic produce and shifting away from meat-heavy meals and fast food. They are joined by a growing
movement of people changing the way they cook and eat.
Your Challenge!
Cook up dishes that are not only delicious but also god for the planet and good for us - reducing meat and emphasizing diverse vegetarian
ingredients instead.
Fashion
Making clothes has a huge impact on climate change. The textile industry contributes around ten percent of global greenhouse gas emissions - it uses more energy
than the aviation and shipping industry combined, according to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The industry's impact
is not limited to global carbon emissions. It also produces about 20 percent of global waste water and 85 percent of textiles end up in landfills or are
incinerated when most of these materials could be reused.
Your Challenge!
Upcycle your old clothes for new looks and share your creations on social media using.
Join the Movement
- 5-Minute Showers.
- Bring Your Own Bag.
- Drive Less.
- Lights Off.
- Local Produce.
- Meat-free Meals.
- Recycle.
- Refill and Reuse.
- Unplug.
- Zero-Waste Fashion.
Goal 14 - Life Below Water
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and
marine resources for sustainable development.
The world's oceans - their temperature, chemistry, currents and life - drive global systems that make
the Earth habitable for humankind.
Over three billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods. However, today we are
seeing 30 percent of the world's fish stocks overexploited, reaching below the level at which they can produce
sustainable yields.
Oceans also absorb about 30 percent of the carbon dioxide produced by humans, and we are seeing a 26 percent
rise in ocean acidification since the beginning of the industrial revolution. Marine pollution, an overwhelming
majority of which comes from land-based sources, is reaching alarming levels, with an average of 13,000 pieces of
plastic litter to be found on every square kilometre of ocean.
The SGDs aim to sustainably manage and protect marine coastal and ecosystems from pollution, as well as address
the impacts of ocean acidification. Enhancing conservation and the sustainable use of ocean-based resources
through international law will also helo mitigate some of the challenges facing our oceans.
Facts and Figures
- Oceans cover three quarters of the Earth's surface, contain 97 percent of the Eart's water, and represent
99 percent of the living space on the planet by volume.
- Over three billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods.
- Globally, the market value of marine and coastal resources and industries is estimated at $3 trillion
per year or about 5 percent of global GDP.
- Oceans contain nearly 200,000 identified species, but actual numbers may lie in the millions.
- Oceans absorb about 30 percent of carbon dioxide produced by humans, buffering the impacts of global
warming.
- Oceans serve as the world's largest source of protein, with more than 3 billion people depending on the ocean
as their primary source of protein.
- Marine fisheries directly or indirect employ 200 million people.
- Subsidies for fishing are contributing to the rapid depletion of many fish species and are preventing efforts
to save and restore global fisheries and related jobs, causing ocean fisheries to generate US$50 billion less
per year than they could.
- Open Ocean sites show current levels of acidity have increased by 26 percent since the start of the Industrial
Revolution.
- Coastal waters are deteriorating due to pollution and eutrophication. Without concerted efforts, coastal eutrophication
is expected to increase in 20 percent of large marine ecosystems by 2050.
Goal Targets
- 14.1 By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities,
including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
- 14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including
by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans.
- 14.3 Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels.
- 14.4 By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive
fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible,
at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics.
- 14.5 By 2020, conserve at least 10 percent of coastal and marine areas consistent with national and international law and
based on the best available scientific information.
- 14.6 By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies
that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that
appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part
of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation.
- 14.7 By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable
use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism.
- 14.A Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental
Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the
contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least
developed countries.
- 14.B Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets.
- 14.C Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS,
which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158
of The Future We Want.
Why is it important?
Oceans provide key natural resources including food, medicines, biofules and other products. They help with the breakdown and removal of waste
and pollution, and their ecosystems act sa buffers to reduce damage from storms. Maintaining healthy oceans supports climate change mitigation and
adaptation efforts. And have you been to the seaside? It's also a great place for tourism and recreation.
Even more, Marine Protected Areas contribute to poverty reduction by increasing fish catches and income, and improving health. They also help improve
gender equality, as women do much of the work at small-scale fisheries.
The marine environment is also home to a stunning variety of beautiful creatures, ranging from single-celled organisms to the biggest animal ever to
have lived on the Earth - the blue whale. They are also home to coral reefs, one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet.
Careful management of this essential global resource is a key feature
of a sustainable future.
What can you do to help?
For open ocean and deep sea areas, sustainability can be achieved only through increased international cooperation to protect vulnerable habitats.
Establishing comprehensive, effective and equitably managed systems of government-protected areas should be pursued to conserve biodiversity and
ensure a sustainable future for the fishing industry.
On a local level, we should make ocean-friendly choices when buying products or eating food derived from oceans and consume only what we need.
Selecting certified products is a good place to start.
Making small changes in our daily lives, like taking public transport and unplugging electronics save energy. These actions reduce our carbon footprint,
a factor that contributes to rising sea levels.
We should eliminate plastic usage as much as possible and organize beach clean-ups.
Most importantly, we can spread the message about how important marine life is and why we need to protect it.
Goal 15 - Life on Land
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems,
sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and
halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
Human life depends on the earth as much as the ocean for our sustenance and livelihoods. Plant life provides 80 percent of the human diet, and we rely on agriculture
as an important economic resources. Forests cover 30 percent of the Earth's surface, provide vital habitats for millions of species, and important sources for clean air
and water, as well as being crucial for combating climate change.
Every year, 13 million hectares of forests are lost, while the persistent degradation of drylands has led to the desertification of 3.6 billion hectares, disproportionately
affecting poor communities.
While 15 percent of land is protected, biodiversity is still at risk. Nearly 7,000 species of animals and plants have been illegally traded. Wildlife trafficking not only erodes
biodiversity, but creates insecurity, fuels conflict, and feeds corruption.
Urgent action must be taken to reduce the loss of natural habitats and biodiversity which are part of our common heritage and support global food and water security, climate change
mitigation and adaptation, and peace and security.
Facts and Figures
Forests
- Around 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihood, including 70 million indigenous people.
- Forests are home to more than 80 percent of all terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects.
- Between 2010 and 2015, the world lost 3.3 million hectares of forest areas. Poor rural women depend on common pool resources and are especially affected by their depletion.
Desertification
- 2.6 billion people depend directly on agriculture, but 52 percent of the land used for agriculture is moderately or severely affected by soil degradation.
- Arable land loss is estimated at 30 and 35 times the historical rate.
- Due to drought and desertification, 12 million hectares are lost each year (23 hectares per minute). Within one year, 20 million tons of grain could have been grown.
- 74 percent of the poor are directly affected by land degradation globally.
Biodiversity
- Illicit poaching and trafficking of wildlife continues to thwart conservation efforts, with nearly 7,000 species of animals and plants reported in illegal trade
involving 120 countries.
- Of the 8,300 animal breeds known, 8 percent are extinct and 22 percent are at risk of extinction.
- Of the over 80,000 tree species, less than 1 percent have been studied for potential use.
- Fish provide 20 percent of animal protein to about 3 billion people. Only ten species provide about 30 percent of marine capture fisheries and ten species provide about 50
percent of aquaculture production.
- Over 80 percent of the human diet is provided by plants. Only three cereal crops - rice, maize and wheat - provide 60 percent of energy intake.
- As many as 80 percent of people living in rural areas in developing countries based medicines for basic healthcare.
- Micro-organisms and invertebrates are key to ecosystem services, but their contributions are still poorly known and rarely acknowledged.
Goal Targets
- 15.1 By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains
and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.
- 15.2 By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation
and reforestation globally.
- 15.3 By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral
world.
- 15.4 By 2030, ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity, in order to enhance their capacity to provide benefits that are essential for sustainable
development.
- 15.5 Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened
species.
- 15.6 Promote fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and promote appropriate access to such resources, as internationally
agreed.
- 15.7 Take urgen action to end poaching and traffickinh of protected species of flora and fauna and address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products.
- 15.8 By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate
the priority species.
- 15.9 By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts.
- 15.A Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems.
- 15.B Mobilize significant resources from all sources and at all levels to finance sustainable forest management and provide adequate incentives to developing countries to advance such management,
including for conservation and reforestation.
- 15.C Enhance global support for efforts to combat poaching and trafficking of protected species, including by increasing the capacity of local communities
to pursue sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Why is it important?
Forests cover nearly 31 percent of our planet's land area. From the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the food we eat - forests sustain us.
Around 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihood. Almost 75 percent of the world's poor are affected directly by land degradation.
Forests are home to more than 80 percent of all terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects. However, biodiversity is declining faster than any other time in human history. An estimated
20 percent of the Earth's land area was degraded between 2000 and 2015.
Biodiversity and the ecosystem services it underpins can also be the basis for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies as they can deliver benefits that will increase
the resilience of people to the impacts of climate change.
Forests and nature are also important for recreation and mental well-being. In many cultures, natural landscapes are closely linked to spiritual values, religious belifs and traditional
teachings.
Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse
land degradation, halt biodiversity loss.
What can you do to help?
Inevitably, we change the ecosystems we are a part of through our presence - but we can make choices that either affirm diversity or devalue it.
Some things we can do to help include recycling, eating a locally-based diet that is sustainably sourced, consuming only what we need, and limiting energy usage through efficient heating and cooling systems. We
must also be respectful toward wildlife and only take part in ecotourism opportunities that are responsibly and ethically run in order to prevent wildlife disturbance. Well-managed protected areas support healthy
ecosystems, which in turn keep people healthy. It is therefore critical to secure the involvement of the local communities in the development and management of these protected areas.
Goal 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development,
provide access to justice for all and build effective,
accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
We cannot hope for sustainable development without peace, stability, human rights and effective governance, based on the rule of law. Yet our world is increasingly divided. Some regions
enojoy peace, security and prosperity, while others fall into seemingly endless cycles of conflict and violence. This is not inevitable and must be addressed.
Armed violence and insecurity have a destructive impact on a country's development, affecting economic growth, and often resulting in grievances that last for generations. Sexual violence, crime,
exploitation and torture are also prevalent where there is conflict, or no rule of law, and countries must take measures to protect those who are most at risk.
The SDGs aim to significantly reduce all forms of violence, and work with governments and communities to end conflict and insecurity. Promoting the rule of law and human rights are key to this
process, as is reducing the flow of illicit arms and strengthening the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance.
Facts and Figures
- Among the institutions most affected by corruption are the judiciary and police.
- Corruption, bribery, theft and tax evasion cost some US $1.26 trillion for developing countries per year; this amount of money could be used to lift those who are living on less than
$1.25 a day above $1.25 for at least six years.
- Birth registration has occurred for 73 percent of children under 5, but only 46% of sub-Saharan Africa have had their births registered.
- Approximately 28.5 million primary school age who are out of school live in conflict-affected areas.
- The rule of law and development have significant interrelation and are mutually reinforcing, making it essential for sustainable development at the national and international
level.
- The proportion of prisoners held in detention without sentencing has remained almost constant in the last decade at 31% of all prisoners.
Violence Against Children
- Violence against children affects more than 1 billion children around the world costs societies up to US $7 trillion a year.
- 50 percent of the world's children experience violence every year.
- Every 5 minutes, somewhere in the world, a child is killed by violence.
- 1 in 10 children is sexually abused before the age of 18.
- 9 in 10 children live in countries where corporal punishment is not fully prohibited, leaving 732 million children without legal protection.
- 1 in 3 internt users worldwide is a child and 800 million of them use social media. Any child can become a victim of online violence.
- Child online sexual abuse reports to NCMEC has grown from 1 million in 2014 to 45 million in 2018.
- 246 million children worldwide affected by school-related violence each year.
- 1 in 3 students has been bullied by their peers at school in the last month, and at least 1 in 10 children have experienced cyberbullying.
Goal Targets
- 16.1 Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
- 16.2 End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
- 16.3 Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
- 16.4 By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime.
- 16.5 Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.
- 16.6 Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
- 16.7 Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
- 16.8 Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance.
- 16.9 By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration.
- 16.10 Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.
- 16.A Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular developing countries, to prevent
violence and combat terrorism and crime.
- 16.B Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development.
Why is it important?
Crimes that threaten the foundation of peaceful societies, including homicides, trafficking and other organized crimes, as well as discriminatory laws or practices, affect all countries.
Even the world's greates democracies face major challenges in addressing corruption, crime and human rights violations for everyone at home.
Access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable institutions
at all levels.
What can you do to help?
Take a genuine interest in what your government is doing. Raise awareness in your community about the realities of violence and the importance of peacful and just societies, and identify
how you can pursue the SDGs in your daily life.
Exercise your right to hold your elected officials to account. Exercise your right to freedom of information and share your opinion with your elected
representatives.
Be the change - promote inclusion and respect towards people of different backgrounds, ethnic origins, religions, gender, sexual orientations
or different opinions. Together, we can help to improve conditions for a life of dignity for all.
Goal 17 - Partnerships for the Goals
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership
sustainable development.
The SDGs can only be realized with strong global partnership and cooperation. Official Development Assistance remained steady but below target, at US $147 billion in 2017. While humanitarian
crises brought on by conflict or natural disasters continue to demand more financial resources and aid. Many countries also require Official Development Assistance to encourage
growth and trade.
The world is more internconnected than ever. Improving access technology and knowledge is an important way to share ideas and foster innovation. Coordinating policies
to help developing countries manage their debt, as well as promoting investment for the least developed, is vital for sustainable growth and
development.
The goals aim to enhance North-South and South-South cooperation by supporting national plans to achieve all the targets. Promoting international trade, and helping
developing countries increase their exports is all part of achieving a universal rules-based and equitable trading system that is fair and open and benefits all.
Facts and Figures
- Official development assistance stood at $146.6 billion in 2017. This represents a decrease of 0.6 percent in real terms over 2016.
- 79 percent of imports from developing countries enter developed countries duty-free.
- The debt burden on developing countries remains stable at about 3 percent of export revenue.
- The number of Internet users in Africa almost doubled in the past four years.
- 30 percent of the world's youth are digital natives, active online for at least five years.
- But more four billion people do not use the Internet, and 90 percent of them are from the developing world.
Goal Targets
Finance
- 17.1 Strengthen domestic resource mobilization, including through international support to developing countries, to improve domestic capacity for tax and other revenue collection.
- 17.2 Developed countries to implement fully their official development assistance commitments, including the commitment by many developed countries to achieve the target of 0.7 percent
of ODA/GNI to developing countries and 0.15 to 0.20 percent of ODA/GNI to least developed countries ODA provides are encouraged to consider setting a target to provide at least 0.20
percent of ODI/GNI to least developed countries.
- 17.3 Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources.
- 17.4 Assist developing countries in attaining long-term debt sustainability through coordinated policies aimed at fostering debt financing, debt relief and debt restructuring,
as appropriate, and address the external debt of highly indebted poor countries to reduce debt distress.
- 17.5 Adopt and implement investment promotion regimes for least developed countries.
Technology
- 17.6 Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing
on mutually agreed termsm including through improved coordination among existing mechanisms, in particular at the United Nations level, and through a global technology
facilitation mechanism.
- 17.7 Promote the development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries on favourable terms, including on
concessional and preferential terms, as mutually agreed.
- 17.8 Fully operationalize the technology bank and science, technology and innovation capacity-building mechanism for least developed countries by 2017 and enhance
the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology.
Capacity Building
- 17.9 Enhance international support for implementing effective and targeted capacity-building in developing countries to support national plans to implement all the sustainable
development goals, including through North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation.
Trade
- 17.10 Promote a universal, rule-based, open, non-discriminatory and equitable multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organization, including through the conclusion
of negotiations under its Doha Development Agenda.
- 17.11 Significantly increase the exports of developing countries, in particular with a view to doubling the least developed countries' share of global exports by 2020.
- 17.12 Realize timely implementation of duty-free and quota-free market access on a lasting basis for all least developed countries, consistent with World Trade Organization decisions, including
by ensuring that preferential rules of origin applicable to imports from least developed countries are transparent and simple, and contribute to facilitating market
access.
Systemic Issues
Policy and Institutional Coherence
- 17.13 Enhance global macroeconomic stability, including through policy coordination and policy coherence.
- 17.14 Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development.
- 17.15 Respect each country's policy space and leadership to establish and implement policies for poverty eradication and sustainable development.
Multi-stakeholder Partnership
- 17.16 Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology
and financial resources, to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries, in particular developing countries.
- 17.17 Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies
of partnership.
Data, Monitoring and Accountability
- 17.18 By 2020, enhance capacity-building support to developing countries, including for least developed countries and small island developing States, to increase significantly the availability
of high-quality, timely and reliable data disaggregated by income, gener, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability, geographic location and other characteristics relevant in national contexts.
- 17.19 By 2030, build on existing initiatives to develop measurements of progress on sustainable development that complement gross domestic product, and support statistical capacity-building
in developing countries.
Why is it important?
We are all in this together. The Agenda, with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals, is universal and calls for action by all countries, both developed countries and developing countries, to ensure
no one is left behind.
In 2015, world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that aims to end poverty, tackle inequalities and combat climate change. We need everyone to come together - governments,
civil society, academia and the private sector - to achieve the sustainable development goals.
Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
What can you do to help?
Join/create a group in your local community that seeks to mobilize action on the implementation of the SDGs.
Encourage your government to partner with businesses for the implementation of the SDGs.
Register your initiatives on the SDGs Partnership Platform to inform, educate, network, and be inspired!
Find Partnerships Here!