The Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goals. Do you know them? What meaning do they have in your life and activities? Do you know you have a part to play?

These goals which are commonly referred to as SDGs, have been center of Sustainable Living and Climate Action conversations. They were born out of the eight Millennium Development Goals back in 2000.

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) included:

• Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
• Achieve universal primary education
• Promote gender equality and empower women
• Reduce child mortality
• Improve maternal health
• Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
• Ensure environmental sustainability
• Develop a global partnership for development.

At the end of 2000, the MDGs expired. These goals were able to assist in highlighting places that were left out.

After noticing the gap left by the MDGs, the stakeholders came up with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to fill the gaps.

The Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs include:

GOAL 1: No Poverty

GOAL 2: Zero Hunger

GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being

GOAL 4: Quality Education

GOAL 5: Gender Equality

GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

GOAL 10: Reduced Inequality

GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

GOAL 13: Climate Action

GOAL 14: Life Below Water

GOAL 15: Life on Land

GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions

GOAL 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal

These goals are part of the bigger 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

It is plan reached at by the global leaders at UN in 2015. Destined for the benefit of the people, planet, and prosperity.

This explains how the goals were reached at, as they each target people, planet and prosperity.

The plan is hoped to work out within fifteen years (2015 – 2030).

How are we doing in the 17 SDGs?

These goals cannot be fully measured, hence making it difficult to know how far we have accomplished them. Although the social progress index can be used to evaluate part of its progress.

Social Progress Index measures the extent to which countries provide for the social and environmental needs of their citizens. It involves 54 indicators targeting human needs, well-being foundation and opportunity to progress.

The Social Progress Index can be used to measure the same concept by collecting indicator data to help know how we are performing. Unfortunately, the Social Progress Index only measures the quality of life. So it is limited to a few of these goals.

Conclusion

Which of the SDGs has your country accomplished? Which of those have you personally experienced and confirm, to be a success?

For the rich developed nations, they have managed to accomplish goals that need developments since they have resources for that. But still, fall back in goals that involve people’s right and inclusiveness. For the poor developing nations, we have a way long way to go. We seem to be failing back in almost all the goals.

These goals are meant for all nations in the world, for a happy healthy planet. But not yet accepted by the targeted nations.

It’s your job and responsibility to ensure that these goals are met. The UN may have made the promise through the SDGs, but you are the one with the final say and results.

We have 11 more years to make vision 2030, a reality.