The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

In 2015, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) designed to address global challenges and promote a sustainable, equitable future.

In recent discussions, a proposed 18th goal has emerged, reflecting ongoing dialogues about the need for comprehensive and inclusive approaches.

Let’s explore each of these goals and highlight notable achievements since their adoption.

Table of Contents

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No Poverty

• Fact: The global poverty rate dropped from 10.1% in 2015 to 6.0% in 2019.
• Progress: Over 1 billion people were lifted out of extreme poverty between 1990 and 2015.

Zero Hunger

• Fact: The prevalence of undernourishment decreased from 14.9% in 2000 to 8.9% in 2019.
• Progress: Initiatives like the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) movement have improved nutrition for millions.

The Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, launched in 2010 by the United Nations and various stakeholders, aims to combat malnutrition globally, particularly among women and children.

With over 60 participating countries, it fosters collaboration through multi-stakeholder platforms that support policy development, capacity building, and awareness campaigns. Since its inception, the movement has significantly increased political commitment and funding for nutrition initiatives, leading to improved policies and outcomes in many countries, thereby advancing global efforts to end malnutrition in all its forms.

Good Health and Well-being

• Fact: Global maternal mortality rates fell from 216 per 100,000 live births in 2015 to 152 in 2020.
• Progress: Vaccination rates increased significantly, with over 90% of children receiving the DTP3 vaccine in 2020.

Quality Education

• Fact: The global enrollment rate in primary education rose to 91% in 2019.
• Progress: Initiatives like the Global Partnership for Education have helped enroll millions of children in school.

The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) was established in 2002 to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all children, particularly in developing countries. GPE works with over 80 partner countries to strengthen education systems, mobilize funding, and improve access to education.

Through collaboration with governments, NGOs, and the private sector, GPE supports initiatives that enhance teacher training, develop educational resources, and address barriers to schooling. Since its creation, GPE has helped millions of children gain access to education, significantly impacting global efforts to achieve quality education for all.

Gender Equality

• Fact: Women’s representation in national parliaments increased from 22% in 2015 to 26% in 2021.
• Progress: Legal reforms in many countries have improved women’s rights and protections against violence.

Gender equality in salaries has improved, with the global pay gap narrowing from about 20% in 2015 to around 16% in 2021, meaning women earned 84 cents for every dollar men made. Legislative changes and corporate initiatives, e.g.: pay audits, have helped raise awareness and address disparities.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted existing inequalities, underscoring the need for ongoing efforts to achieve true salary equality.

Clean Water and Sanitation

• Fact: 2.1 billion people gained access to safely managed drinking water since 2000.
• Progress: The number of people using safely managed sanitation services increased from 39% in 2000 to 54% in 2020.

Affordable and Clean Energy

• Fact: The share of renewable energy in total final energy consumption rose from 17.5% in 2015 to 18.7% in 2019.
• Progress: Over 1.1 billion people gained access to electricity between 2010 and 2018.

Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Fact: Global unemployment fell from 5.8% in 2015 to 5.4% in 2019.
• Progress: The number of people living in extreme working poverty dropped by 255 million between 1991 and 2019 from approx. 1.5 billion in 1991 to about 1.2 billion in 2019.

Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

• Fact: Global manufacturing value added grew by 5% annually from 2015 to 2019.
• Progress: The number of internet users increased from 3.2 billion in 2015 to 4.9 billion in 2021.

Reduced Inequalities

• Fact: The income share of the bottom 40% of the population increased in many countries, including Brazil and Indonesia.
• Progress: More than 30 countries have implemented laws or policies aimed at reducing inequality.

Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Fact: As of 2020, 55% of the world’s population lived in urban areas, projected to reach 68% by 2050.
• Progress: The number of cities implementing sustainable urban development strategies has doubled since 2015 from around 2,000 in 2015 to approximately 4,000 by 2021.

Green infrastructure is vital for sustainable cities because it:

1. Enhances Environment: Manages stormwater, reduces heat, and improves air quality.
2. Supports Biodiversity: Provides habitats for wildlife.
3. Boosts Health: Promotes physical and mental well-being through accessible green spaces.
4. Increases Resilience: Mitigates climate change impacts.
5. Adds Economic Value: Raises property values and attracts business.
6. Promotes Equity: Ensures all communities have access to green areas.
7. Improves Aesthetics: Makes cities more visually appealing.

Overall, it fosters a healthier, more resilient urban environment.

Responsible Consumption and Production

• Fact: Global material consumption rose to 92.1 billion tons in 2017, reaching approximately 100 billion tons in 2020, highlighting the need for sustainable practices. This increase highlights the ongoing challenge of sustainable resource management and the need for responsible consumption practices.
• Progress: Over 70 countries have adopted or are in the process of implementing national policies for sustainable consumption and production.

Climate Action

• Fact: Global average temperatures increased by approximately 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels by 2021. Global average temperatures increased from 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels in 2021 to about 1.2°C in 2023. This continues to highlight the urgency of addressing climate change and its impacts.
• Progress: More than 130 countries have set net-zero emissions targets by mid-century.

To achieve net zero emissions targets by 2050, key strategies include

• transitioning to renewable energy sources,
• improving energy efficiency,
• adopting sustainable transportation,
• creating more green infrastructures and manage resources better in cities, (as of 2023, approximately 56% of the global population lives in urban areas, and this percentage is expected to rise to around 68% by 2050.)
• enhancing carbon capture and storage technologies,
• implementing reforestation and conservation efforts.

Additionally,

• strong policies,
• investments in green technologies, and
• collaboration across sectors are essential for driving systemic change.

Life Below Water

• Fact: Marine protected areas grew to cover over 7% of the world’s oceans by 2020.
• Progress: International agreements like the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment have been strengthened since its 1995 adoption through initiatives led by the UN Environment Program (UNEP) and regional partnerships. Key developments include UNEA resolutions in 2021 focusing on marine litter and plastic pollution, reinforcing commitments from countries and organizations to enhance marine protection.

Life on Land

• Fact: Approximately 1.2 billion hectares of forest have been lost since 1990.
• Progress: Global tree cover gain increased by 1.5 million hectares per year from 2015 to 2020 driven by
  • reforestation efforts,

• Other Programs & Policies
  • conservation programs, and
  • policies promoting sustainable land management. Expanding these initiatives and enhancing community involvement can further boost tree cover gains in the coming years.

Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

• Fact: Global homicide rates fell from 6.2 per 100,000 population in 2015 to 6.0 in 2019, same in 2024.
• Progress: More than 130 countries have established national legal frameworks to ensure access to justice.

Partnerships for the Goals

• Fact: Official development assistance (ODA) from OECD countries reached $161 billion in 2020.
• Progress: Global partnerships have mobilized resources for sustainable development, with over 4,000 partnerships registered on the UN’s Partnerships for the SDGs platform.

Proposed Goal: Universal Digital Access

• Fact: Internet penetration globally increased from 43% in 2015 to over 60% in 2021.
• Progress: Initiatives like the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development aim to connect the unconnected, especially in rural areas.

Proposed Goal: Universal Digital Access and Starlink

Universal digital access aims to provide reliable internet for all, particularly in underserved areas. Starlink, developed by SpaceX, is a satellite internet constellation launched in 2019, designed to offer high-speed connectivity globally.

Key Features

• Global Coverage: Starlink provides internet access to remote regions lacking traditional infrastructure.
• High-Speed Connectivity: Users experience download speeds of 50 to 150 Mbps with latency of 20 to 40 milliseconds.
• Affordability: Although the initial setup costs are higher, ongoing service fees remain competitive.

Impact

Starlink can help bridge the digital divide, enhancing education and healthcare access in remote areas. However, it faces regulatory challenges and environmental concerns related to space debris.

Overall, Starlink has the potential to significantly contribute to achieving universal digital access, empowering communities worldwide.

“Sustainable development is more than a goal.

It is our responsibility to our planet and future generations”

António Guterres – Secretary General of the UN

Conclusion

While substantial progress has been made toward achieving the SDGs, challenges remain.

Continued global collaboration and commitment are crucial to ensure sustainable development and that no one is left behind as we approach 2030.