Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The Roadmap to a Sustainable Future

What are the Sustainable Development Goals?
 

In 2015, the United Nations adopted 17 global goals known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), part of the 2030 Agenda. They seek a just, equitable and sustainable future for all people on the planet, addressing economic, social and environmental issues in an interconnected manner for sustainable development.
The SDGs are an extension of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) with a broader focus that includes human well-being and protection of the planet. Each of the 17 goals contains specific targets, making a total of 169 targets for countries to achieve by 2030. They also have an equitable approach, applying to both developed and developing countries. In this article we will provide a breakdown of the 17 goals and each of the targets they have to achieve.
 

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals

1. End Poverty

Eliminate extreme poverty and ensure access to basic resources such as food, housing, health and education for all.

• 1.1 Eradicate extreme poverty worldwide.
• 1.2 Reduce by at least half the proportion of people living in multidimensional poverty.
• 1.3 Implement social protection systems for all, including the most vulnerable.
• 1.4 Ensure equitable access to economic resources, services and basic rights.
• 1.5 Strengthen resilience to disasters and economic shocks.
• 1.a Mobilise significant financial resources to eradicate poverty.
• 1.b Create sound policies at national and regional levels to combat poverty.

2. Zero Hunger

Achieve food security and promote sustainable agriculture to ensure sufficient nutritious food.

• 2.1 Ensure access to nutritious food for all people, especially the most vulnerable.
• 2.2 Eradicate all forms of malnutrition, focusing on children and people at risk.
• 2.3 Double the productivity and incomes of smallholder farmers.
• 2.4 Implement sustainable food production systems.
• 2.5 Maintain the genetic diversity of seeds, crops and domestic animals.
• 2.a Increase investments in rural infrastructure and agricultural technology.
• 2.b Correct and prevent trade restrictions in agricultural markets.
• 2.c Ensure the proper functioning of markets for food and food products.
   

3. Health and Welfare
 

Ensure healthy lives for all and reduce maternal and infant mortality and combat diseases.
 

• 3.1 Reduce global maternal mortality.
• 3.2 End preventable under-five mortality.
• 3.3 Combat communicable diseases such as AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
• 3.4 Reduce premature mortality caused by non-communicable diseases.
• 3.5 Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance addiction.
• 3.6 Reduce deaths and injuries related to road traffic accidents.
• 3.7 Ensure access to sexual and reproductive health services.
• 3.8 Achieve universal health coverage. 
• 3.9 Reduce diseases related to environmental pollution.
• 3.a Strengthen the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco. 
• 3.b Ensure access to affordable medicines and vaccines.
• 3.c Increase funding and recruitment of health personnel in developing countries.
• 3.d Improve the capacity to respond to global health risks.
   

4. Quality Education

Ensure access to quality and equitable education, promoting lifelong learning opportunities.

• 4.1 Ensure that all children complete quality primary and secondary education.
• 4.2 Ensure access to quality pre-school education.
• 4.3 Ensure equitable access to technical, vocational and tertiary education.
• 4.4 Increase technical and vocational skills needed for employment.
• 4.5 Eliminate gender and other inequalities in access to education.
• 4.6 Ensure that all young people and adults have basic literacy and numeracy skills.
• 4.7 Promote education for sustainable development and global citizenship.
• 4.a Create safe, inclusive and effective learning environments.
• 4.b Increase the number of scholarships available to developing countries.
• 4.c Increase the supply of qualified teachers through international cooperation.

5. Gender Equality

Eliminate all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls, promoting their equal participation.

• 5.1 End all forms of discrimination against women and girls.
• 5.2 Eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in the public and private spheres.
• 5.3 Eliminate harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation.
• 5.4 Recognise and value unpaid care and domestic work.
• 5.5 Ensure women's full participation at all levels of decision-making.
• 5.6 Ensure universal access to reproductive rights.
• 5.a Carry out reforms to ensure equal access to economic resources.
• 5.b Promote the use of technology that empowers women.
• 5.c Adopt strong policies and laws to promote gender equality

6. Clean Water and Sanitation

Ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all, improving its quality and efficient use.

• 6.1 Achieve universal and equitable access to safe drinking water.
• 6.2 Achieve adequate and equitable access to sanitation and hygiene services. 
• 6.3 Improve water quality by reducing pollution.
• 6.4 Increase the efficient use of water resources.
• 6.5 Implement integrated water resources management at all levels.
• 6.6 Protect and restore water-related ecosystems.
• 6.a Expand international cooperation for water management.
• 6.b Support and strengthen community participation in water management.
   

7. Affordable and Clean Energy

Promote access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

• 7.1 Ensure universal access to affordable and modern energy services.
• 7.2 Significantly increase the share of renewable energy in the energy mix.
• 7.3 Improve global energy efficiency.
• 7.a Facilitate access to clean energy technology and financing.
• 7.b Expand energy infrastructure to provide access to energy in developing countries.
   

8. Decent Work and Economic Growth

Promote inclusive economic growth and full employment, ensuring fair working conditions.

• 8.1 Maintain per capita economic growth, especially in developing countries.
• 8.2 Achieve high levels of economic productivity through diversification.
• 8.3 Promote decent employment policies and support small enterprises.
• 8.4 Improve progressively the efficiency of global resource consumption.
• 8.5 Achieve full and productive employment and ensure pay equity
• 8.6 Reduce the proportion of young people out of work and out of education.
• 8.7 Eradicate forced labour and modern forms of slavery.
• 8.8 Protect labour rights and promote safe working conditions.
• 8.9 Promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and fosters local culture.
• 8.10 Reduce economic inequalities between and within countries.
• 8.a Increase Aid for Trade to developing countries.
• 8.b Develop youth employment policies at national level.

9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Develop resilient infrastructure and promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation.

• 9.1 Develop quality, reliable and resilient infrastructure to support economic development.
• 9.2 Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, increasing employment and industrial GDP.
• 9.3 Improve access of small industrial enterprises to financial services and markets.
• 9.4 Upgrade industrial infrastructure to make it more sustainable, efficient and cleaner.
• 9.5 Promote scientific research and enhance technological capabilities in developing countries.
• 9.a Facilitate the development of sustainable infrastructure in developing countries.
• 9.b Support national innovation, industrial diversification and adding value to products.
• 9.c Increase access to information and communication technologies, especially the Internet.

10. Reducing Inequalities

Reduce economic, social and political inequalities, ensuring equitable opportunities for all.

• 10.1 Achieve and sustain income growth for the poorest 40 per cent of the population.
• 10.2 Enhance social, economic and political inclusion for all, without discrimination.
• 10.3 Ensure equality of opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome.
• 10.4 Adopt fiscal, wage and social protection policies for equality.
• 10.5 Improve regulation and supervision of financial institutions and global markets.
• 10.6 Ensure that developing countries are better represented in global economic institutions.
• 10.7 Facilitate safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility.
• 10.a Apply the principle of special and differential treatment for developing countries.
• 10.b Encourage official development assistance (ODA) and financial flows to countries in need. 10.c Reduce the transaction costs of remittances to below 3%.
   

11. Sustainable Cities and Communities

Make cities and communities sustainable and resilient, with access to housing and basic services.

• 11.1 Ensure access to adequate, safe and affordable housing for all.
• 11.2 Provide access to safe, affordable and sustainable transport systems.
• 11.3 Increase inclusive and sustainable urbanisation through improved participatory planning.
• 11.4 Protect and safeguard cultural and natural heritage.
• 11.5 Significantly reduce the number of people affected by disasters, including disasters related to climate change.
• 11.6 Reduce the negative environmental impact of cities, in particular air quality and waste management.
• 11.7 Provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible public spaces.
• 11.a Support positive linkages between urban, peri-urban and rural areas.
• 11.b Increase the number of cities adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans for resilience and sustainability.
• 11.c Support developing countries in building sustainable and resilient buildings.

12. Responsible Consumption and Production

Adopt sustainable patterns of production and consumption, reducing waste and promoting reuse and recycling.

• 12.1 Implement the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Production and Consumption, with the participation of all countries.
• 12.2 Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
• 12.3 Halve global per capita food wastage.
• 12.4 Achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and waste.
• 12.5 Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
• 12.6 Encourage businesses to adopt sustainable practices and publish sustainability reports.
• 12.7 Promote sustainable public procurement practices.
• 12.8 Ensure that people around the world have the information and knowledge necessary for sustainable development.
• 12.a Support developing countries in improving their scientific and technological capabilities towards sustainable consumption.
• 12.b Develop and implement tools to monitor the impacts of sustainable tourism.
• 12.c Rationalise fossil fuel subsidies that encourage irresponsible consumption.

13. Climate Action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects across the globe.

• 13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related risks and natural disasters.
• 13.2 Integrate climate change measures into national policies and strategies.
• 13.3 Improve education, awareness raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation and early warning.
• 13.a Implement the commitments made by developed countries in the Paris Agreement.
• 13.b Promote mechanisms to enhance capacity for climate planning and management in developing countries, especially the most vulnerable.

14. Underwater Life

Protect and sustainably use the oceans and seas, which are crucial for human survival.

• 14.1 Significantly reduce marine pollution, especially that caused by land-based activities.
• 14.2 Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems.
• 14.3 Minimise the impacts of ocean acidification by addressing its effects.
• 14.4 Effectively regulate fisheries harvesting, ending overfishing and illegal fishing.
• 14.5 Conserve at least 10% of marine and coastal areas.
• 14.6 Eliminate subsidies that contribute to overfishing and illegal fishing.
• 14.7 Increase the economic benefits to developing countries from the sustainable management of their marine resources.
• 14.a Increase scientific knowledge, research and transfer of marine technology.
• 14.b Facilitate small-scale fishermen's access to marine resources and markets.
• 14.c. Improve the implementation of international law applicable to the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans.
   

15. Terrestrial Ecosystem Life

Protect and restore terrestrial ecosystems, combating desertification and conserving biodiversity.

• 15.1 Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
• 15.2 Promote sustainable management of forests and halt deforestation.
• 15.3 Combat desertification and restore degraded lands.
• 15.4 Ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems by promoting their benefits.
• 15.5 Take urgent action to halt the loss of biodiversity and the extinction of species.
• 15.6 Promote the fair and equitable utilisation of genetic resources.
• 15.7 Combat poaching and trafficking of protected species.
• 15.8 Prevent the introduction of invasive alien species and reduce their impact.
• 15.9 Integrate the values of ecosystems and biodiversity into national policies. 15.a Increase funding for the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• 15.a Increase funding for biodiversity conservation.
• 15.b Mobilise financial resources for the sustainable management of forests.
• 15.c Improve global capacity to combat poaching and trafficking of species.
   

16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies by ensuring access to justice and building strong institutions.

• 16.1 Significantly reduce all forms of violence.
• 16.2 End violence, exploitation and abuse against children.
• 16.3 Promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice.
• 16.4 Reduce illicit arms and financial flows.
• 16.5 Reduce corruption and bribery in all its forms.
• 16.6 Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
• 16.7 Ensure inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making.
• 16.8 Strengthen the participation of developing countries in global governance institutions.
• 16.9 Provide legal identity for all, including birth registration.
• 16.10 Guarantee public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms.
• 16.a Strengthen national institutions to prevent violence and combat crime.
• 16.b Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies.
   

17. Partnerships to Achieve the Goals

Foster global partnerships to achieve the SDGs and strengthen international cooperation.

• 17.1 Strengthen domestic resource mobilisation to enhance national capacity.
• 17.2 Ensure that developed countries meet their official development assistance commitments.
• 17.3 Mobilise additional financial resources for developing countries. 
• 17.4 Assist developing countries to manage their debt.
• 17.5 Invest in the least developed countries to encourage innovation.
• 17.6 Increase international co-operation for science, technology and innovation.
• 17.7 Promote access to technology and knowledge in developing countries.
• 17.8 Strengthen the technological capacity of the least developed countries.
• 17.9 Enhance support for capacity building in developing countries.
• 17.10 Promote a universal, open and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system.
• 17.11 Increase exports from developing countries.
• 17.12 Eliminate trade barriers for the least developed countries.
• 17.13 Enhance global macroeconomic stability.
• 17.14 Improve policy coherence for sustainable development.
• 17.15 Respect each country's policy space for the implementation of the SDGs.
• 17.16 Enhance global partnerships for sustainable development.
• 17.17. Foster effective partnerships between the public, private and civil sectors.
• 17.18 Improve the availability of disaggregated data for sustainable development.
• 17.19 Develop new tools to measure progress on the SDGs and global targets. 

The Relevance of the SDGs in Today's World

The SDGs address urgent problems such as climate change, extreme poverty and inequalities. They act as a roadmap for joint action between governments, the private sector and civil society. The relationship between goals allows for coordinated progress; for example, achieving gender equality (SDG 5) can improve education (SDG 4).
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global commitment to improve living conditions and preserve the planet's resources. They represent a roadmap for tackling today's challenges in a balanced way, addressing economic, social and environmental well-being. Working together towards the SDGs is essential to achieve a sustainable future.