UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, the United Nations enacted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (“SDGs”) as “a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.” These goals form the bedrock of numerous sustainability initiatives world-wide.
Focused on People, Prosperity, Peace, Partnership, and the Planet, the SDGs seek to address a variety of social problems – including eradicating poverty and hunger, promoting quality health and education, and reducing the pollution of our planet. For each of the SDGs, the United Nations has created specific targets and objectives for, and established programs to reach, each goal. The SDGs recognize that these goals cannot be achieved through the actions of the UN alone; rather they require action from governments, corporations, and individuals around the world.
The 17 goals, as set forth in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are to:
End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.
Reduce inequality within and among countries.
Promote inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and human settlements.
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.