2 minute read
LAW SOCIETY
by eYs Magazine
INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
By Bojana Bogojevic
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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have become a popular catchphrase in contemporary development discourse. And are important to humanity. Wherever we are there is always reference to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and everyone seems to have an opinion. As an educator, it is only appropriate that we focus and learn the basics.
History of sustainable development goals and Agenda 2030
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the centrepiece of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, were adopted by the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015. In September 2015, all member states of the United Nations have agreed to adopt “Transforming the World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.
This Agenda is a plan of action for people, the planet, and prosperity. Agenda also seeks to strengthen universal peace in larger freedom. The new goals and targets came into effect on 1 January 2016 and guide the decisions we take over the next fifteen years.
Challenges of SDGs
Each country and every region face specific challenges in its pursuit of sustainable development. The most vulnerable countries are African countries, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, and small island developing states that deserve special attention, as do countries in situations of conflict and post-conflict countries. Also, challenges within many middle-income countries are expected.
Definition of Sustainable Development
Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our Common Future, published in 1987, defined the term Sustainable development, “It is a development that meets the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
In the same reports, it is said: “Sustainable global development requires that those who are more affluent adopt lifestyles within the planet’s ecological means - in their use of energy, for example. Further, growing populations can increase the pressure on resources and slow any rise in living standards; thus, sustainable development can only be pursued if population size and growth are in harmony with the changing productive potential of the ecosystem.”
You would be surprised because the initial list of about 300 proposed goals over three years was negotiated, prioritized, aggregated objectives and by the middle of 2015 came to 17 goals we have now. SDGs are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.
How many sustainable development goals do we have?
17 SDGs are:
1. No poverty.
2. No hunger.
3. Good health.
4. Quality education.
5. Gender Equality.
6. Clean water and sanitation.
7. Renewable energy.
8. Good jobs and economic growth.
9. Innovation and infrastructure.
10. Reduced inequalities.
11. Sustainable cities and communities.
12. Responsible consumption.
13. Climate action.
14. Life below water.
15. Life on land.
16. Peace and justice.
17. Partnerships for the goals.
Our task is to recognize the urgent present situation and to do our best to achieve these goals. Achieving SDGs is even more important while humanity is facing a pandemic of COVID-19. We shall emphasise that we are at the beginning of the “Decade of Action” (2020-2030), to reach the goals everyone needs to do their part: governments, private sector, and civil society.
University Prof. and Director - Centre for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, Jeffrey D. Sachs and Bojana Bogojevic
17 Sustainable Development Goals
