The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs, also referred to as the Global Goals) are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. The key element of 2030 Agenda, they address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice. The Goals interconnect and, in order to ensure a just transition that leaves no one behind, it is important that we achieve each Goal and target by 2030.
Each SDG is comprised of a set of sub-targets. Additionally, each goal has a set of indicators, jointly known as the global indicator framework, with which to assess progress. The global indicator framework was developed by the Inter-Agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators (IAEG-SDGs) and agreed to, as a practical starting point at the 47th session of the UN Statistical Commission held in March 2016. The report of the Commission, which included the global indicator framework, was then taken note of by ECOSOC at its 70th session in June 2016. The links in the list of SDGs below will take you to the Goals’ unique targets and indicators, as well as recent updates on progress.
The Sustainable Development Goals
- No poverty– end poverty, in all its forms, everywhere
- Zero hunger– end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and improve agriculture
- Good health and wellbeing– ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, at all ages
- Quality education– ensure inclusive and equitable, quality education, and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
- Gender equality– achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
- Clean water and sanitation– ensure the sustainable management and availability of water and sanitation for all
- Affordable energy– ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
- Decent work and economic growth– promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all
- Industry innovation and infrastructure– build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation
- Reduced inequalities– reduce inequality within and among countries
- Sustainable cities and communities– make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
- Responsible consumption and production– ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
- Climate action– take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
- Life below water– conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
- Life on land– protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss
- Peace, justice and strong institutions– promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable institutions at all levels
- Partnerships for the goals– strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
Since its inception in 1972, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been the global authority that sets the environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the UN
system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP’s mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and
enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
UNEP works on delivering transformational change for people and nature by drilling down on the root causes of the three planetary crises of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. UNEP employs seven interlinked subprogrammes for action: Climate Action, Chemicals and Pollutions Action, Nature Action, Science Policy, Environmental Governance, Finance and Economic Transformations and Digital Transformations.
Through its campaigns, particularly World Environment Day, UNEP raises awareness and advocates for effective environmental action.
Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, UNEP works through its divisions as well as regional, liaison and out-posted offices and a growing network of collaborating centres of excellence.
UNEP works closely with its 193 Member States and representatives from civil society, businesses, and other major groups and stakeholders to address environmental challenges through the UN Environment Assembly, the world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment.
The organization hosts the secretariats of many critical multilateral environmental agreements and research bodies.
The Executive Director and Senior Management Team lead the implementation of UNEP’s Medium-Term Strategy (MTS). The four-year MTS articulates UNEP’s role in delivering the promises of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) as well as its outcome document, “The Future We Want.”
UNEP supports Member States to ensure that environmental sustainability is reflected in development and investment planning and provides countries with the necessary tools and technologies to protect and restore the environment.
To deliver on its programme, UNEP’s relies on voluntary financial contributions to the programme budget. Ninety-five per cent of this funding is provided voluntarily by funding partners.