Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 goals with 169 targets that all 191 UN Member States have agreed to try to achieve by the year 2030. Adopted in 2015, the SDGs provide a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet. At the heart of the SDGs is a call for action by all countries in a global partnership.
The Sustainable Development Goals are a set of 17 interlinked global objectives which were established by the United Nations, in September 2015 at an historic UN Summit. They aim to address a wide range of issues, from ending poverty and hunger to ensuring quality education, reducing inequality, combating climate change, and promoting sustainable economic growth. These goals highlight the need for comprehensive collaboration across all sectors of society—governments, the private sector, civil society, and citizens alike.
The SDGs were implemented after the success of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which were ended in 2015. Whereas the MDGs focused mainly on poverty reduction and specific social challenges, the Sustainable Development Goals provide a more holistic approach. Both of the goals were designed to encompass environmental sustainability, economic growth, social inclusion, and partnerships, but SDGs were designed with a broader scope and more ambitious vision.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals provide a global framework that ensures that by the year 2030, all people can enjoy peace and prosperity, balanced with environmental protection. Here is a quick list of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 :
List of Sustainable Development Goals 2030 | ||||
Goal Number | Goal Name | Primary Objective | Key Targets | Key Indicators |
1 | No Poverty | End poverty in all its forms everywhere. | Reduce the number of people living in extreme poverty. | Poverty headcount ratio, social protection coverage. |
2 | Zero Hunger | End hunger, achieve food security, and promote sustainable agriculture. | End malnutrition, double agricultural productivity, and ensure sustainable food production systems. | Prevalence of undernourishment, food insecurity index. |
3 | Good Health and Well-being | Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages. | Reduce maternal mortality, end preventable deaths of children, combat communicable diseases, and promote mental health. | Maternal mortality rate, life expectancy, vaccination rates. |
4 | Quality Education | Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities. | Universal primary and secondary education, equal access to affordable technical and vocational education. | Literacy rate, school enrollment rate, access to digital learning. |
5 | Gender Equality | Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. | End discrimination, eliminate violence, and ensure equal opportunities in leadership and education. | Gender parity index, proportion of women in leadership roles. |
6 | Clean Water and Sanitation | Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. | Achieve universal access to safe water, reduce water pollution, and protect water ecosystems. | Access to clean water, sanitation coverage, water quality index. |
7 | Affordable and Clean Energy | Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. | Increase the share of renewable energy, improve energy efficiency, and ensure universal access to electricity. | Access to electricity, renewable energy consumption, and energy efficiency. |
8 | Decent Work and Economic Growth | Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, and full and productive employment. | Sustain GDP growth, increase economic productivity, and reduce youth unemployment. | GDP growth rate, unemployment rate, youth employment rate. |
9 | Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and promote innovation. | Develop quality infrastructure, promote sustainable industries, and increase access to information and technology. | Access to technology, infrastructure investment, and industrial employment. |
10 | Reduced Inequalities | Reduce inequality within and among countries. | Reduce income inequality, promote inclusion, and improve regulation of global financial markets. | Income distribution index, Gini coefficient, financial inclusion rate. |
11 | Sustainable Cities and Communities | Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. | Ensure affordable housing, reduce slum populations, improve urban planning, and reduce disaster impact. | Access to housing, air quality, and resilience to natural disasters. |
12 | Responsible Consumption and Production | Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. | Reduce waste generation, promote recycling, and achieve sustainable management of natural resources. | Material footprint, recycling rates, food loss index. |
13 | Climate Action | Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. | Integrate climate change measures into policies, improve resilience, and enhance education on climate change. | CO2 emissions, climate adaptation plans, disaster preparedness. |
14 | Life Below Water | Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources. | Reduce marine pollution, protect marine and coastal ecosystems, and prevent overfishing. | Ocean acidification levels, protected marine areas, fish stock health. |
15 | Life on Land | Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. | Halt deforestation, combat desertification, stop biodiversity loss, and restore degraded land. | Forest area, biodiversity index, land degradation rate. |
16 | Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice, and build accountable institutions. | Reduce violence, protect fundamental freedoms, and promote the rule of law. | The homicide rate, rule of law index, and representation in decision-making. |
17 | Partnerships for the Goals | Strengthen global partnerships for sustainable development. | Increase international support, encourage technology transfer, and improve global financial stability. | Foreign aid received technology transfer rates and public debt ratio. |
In India, the Sustainable Development Goals are closely observed and implemented by the government institution ‘NITI Aayog’ . NITI Aayog plays an important role in aligning national development strategies with the SDGs and works to ensure that India remains on track to achieve these goals by 2030.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent an ambitious global framework to drive development by 2030 , addressing challenges across economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. In India, NITI Aayog serves as the nodal institution responsible for coordinating efforts toward achieving these goals. Its approach reflects the principles of cooperative and competitive federalism , ensuring active collaboration among the Union and State Governments .
The NITI Aayog SDG Index 2024 provided an updated and comprehensive analysis of India's progress while highlighting both the achievements and areas where additional focus is needed.
The Sustainable Development Goals represent a universal call to action to address critical global challenges by 2030. These 17 goals encompass every aspect of human development and environmental protection, aiming for a better, more sustainable future. In India, NITI Aayog plays a crucial role in monitoring and facilitating progress toward these goals, with the NITI Aayog SDG Index 2024 expected to provide valuable insights into the nation's progress.
Achieving the SDGs demands collective commitment from all sectors of society. With adequate political will, financial resources, and grassroots engagement, the world can make significant strides toward creating a sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future for all.
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