Sustainable Development Goals: history, details, measurement

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an ambitiousUN-sponsored international agenda aimed at solving some of the planet's most pressing challenges. September 25 is a significant day as it marks the anniversary of the adoption of these goals in 2015 and, for the past few years, has been designated as SDG Flag Day, an occasion to remember and promote the importance of these global goals.

The history of the SDGs

The SDGs were adopted at the 2015 United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development as an integral part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This Agenda replaced the previous Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which focused on crucial issues such as poverty and hunger, but with a limited focus. The SDGs broaden this approach, covering economic, social and environmental issues, with a holistic and integrated view. In total, the SDGs are 17 goals, each divided into numerous specific targets, with the aim of addressing global challenges from a broader and more inclusive perspective.

The essence of the SDGs lies in the idea of leaving no one behind (“leave no one behind”), recognizing that sustainability must encompass economic development as well as social justice and environmental protection. Indeed, the SDGs aim to improve the quality of life for all human beings, respecting the limits of our planet and promoting peace and global partnerships.

The SDGs: an overview

Here is a brief description of the 17 SDGs and the main areas they cover:

1. Zero Poverty: Eliminate extreme poverty and significantly reduce the number of people living below the poverty line. Goal 1 recognizes poverty as one of humanity's greatest and most persistent challenges.
2. Zero Hunger: End hunger, ensure food security and improve nutrition by promoting sustainable agriculture. This goal highlights the importance of resilient food systems and equitable access to food.
3. Health and Wellness: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. This involves reducing child and maternal mortality, addressing diseases such as HIV/AIDS, and promoting mental health and well-being.
4. Quality Education: Ensure inclusive, equitable and quality education and promote learning opportunities for all. This goal emphasizes the role of education in addressing poverty and gender equality.
5. Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Includes combating gender-based violence, eliminating discrimination, and promoting equal opportunities.
6. Clean water and sanitation: Ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Access to clean water and sanitation is crucial for health and development.
7. Clean and affordable energy: Ensure access to reliable, sustainable and modern energy systems for all. Promote the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency.
8. Decent work and economic growth: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all. This goal aims to reduce the unemployment rate and improve working conditions globally.
9. Business, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and support innovation. Efficient infrastructure is critical for economic development and technological progress.
10. Reduce inequality: Reduce inequality within and between countries. The goal seeks to address economic and social injustice by promoting redistributive and inclusive policies.
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Aims to ensure adequate housing, safe public transportation and green spaces for all.
12. Responsible Consumption andProduction: Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns. Aims to reduce resource waste, promote recycling and the use of environmentally friendly materials.
13. Fighting climate change: Taking urgent measures to combat climate change and its consequences. The goal focuses on the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote adaptation to extreme weather conditions.
14. Life Underwater: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources. The goal seeks to protect marine ecosystems and reduce ocean pollution.
15. Life on Earth: Protect, restore and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, halt deforestation, desertification and biodiversity loss. It is critical to maintaining the planet's natural balances.
16. Peace, justice and strong institutions: Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, ensuring access to justice and creating effective and accountable institutions. This involves strengthening governance and combating corruption.
17. Partnership for Goals: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development. This SDG emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in achieving the other goals.

Treedom's tree planting activities in Asia, Africa, South America and Italy contribute to the pursuit of 11 of these goals.

How is progress on the SDGs measured?

Achievement of the SDGs is measured through a set of global indicators established by the United Nations. Each goal is accompanied by specific targets, and each target has one or more indicators, which allow progress to be monitored. For example, the “Zero Poverty” target includes indicators such as the percentage of people living below the poverty line or access to basic social services.

The UN SDG Report is the main document that annually monitors progress. The report uses data collected by various countries, international agencies and research institutes. There are also online platforms such as the Global SDG Indicator Database, which collects up-to-date data at the national and regional levels, and the SDG Global Index, which ranks countries according to their level of achievement of the goals.

However, the path to 2030 is still fraught with challenges. Despite significant progress in some areas, many others require greater efforts, especially due to worsening inequality, the climate crisis, and difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Achieving the SDGs requires a collective and globally coordinated effort, with active participation of governments, civil society, the private sector and citizens.

In summary, SDG Flag Day is a time to reflect on the importance of the SDGs and the role of each of us in contributing to their achievement.