Sustainability Goals
A comprehensive overview
Sustainability goals are development targets designed to address the many environmental, social and economic crises we face today. These goals serve to promote sustainable development, protect the planet and build an inclusive, equitable and economically viable society.
What are sustainability goals?
Sustainability goals, also known as Global Sustainability Goals or Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), were adopted by the member states of the United Nations (UN) in 2015. The SDGs are a set of 17 global goals that address various areas of sustainable development, from ending poverty and hunger to protecting the planet and meeting educational needs for all.
Why are sustainability goals important?
The pursuit of sustainability goals is of utmost importance in order to meet the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Achieving the sustainability goals ensures that we live in a world that focuses on social inclusion, environmental protection and economic growth. It is about achieving a high quality of life, social justice and environmental protection at the same time.
The 17 sustainability goals
1. No poverty: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
2. Zero hunger: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
3. Good health and well-being: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
4. Quality education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
5. Gender equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
6. Clean water and sanitation: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
7. Affordable and clean energy: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
8. Decent work and economic growth: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation.
9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure: Promote sustainable economic growth, full employment and decent work for all.
10. Reduced inequalities: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
11. Sustainable cities and communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
12. Responsible consumption and production: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
13. Climate action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
14. Life below water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
15. Life on land: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, biodiversity.
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.
17. Partnerships for the goals: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development.
Conclusion
Our future and the survival of future generations depend on how well we can achieve our sustainability goals. It requires collective action by all sectors of society – governments, businesses, civil society and individuals – to achieve these goals and create a sustainable, inclusive and just world for all.
