The Sustainable Development Goals.
There are 17 SGDs.
- No Poverty
- Zero Hunger
- Good Health and Well-being
- Quality Education
- Gender Equality
- Clean Water and Sanitation
- Affordable and Clean Energy
- Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- Reduced Inequalities
- Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Responsible Consumption and Production
- Climate Action
- Life Below Water
- Life On Land
- Peace, Justice And Strong Institutions
- Partnerships For The Goals
The first thing that comes to mind reading these goals is that they are tightly related. For instance, promoting quality education and economic growth are likely to aid in the goal of getting to No Poverty and Zero Hunger.
Playing the devil’s advocate: after having read through each of the goals in detail, what I do find missing is a discussion on the costs required to reach these goals, and the possibility that some of them may potentially conflict.
For instance, how do we ensure that we tackle the threat of climate change while ensuring economic growth and prosperity? How do we protect the natural habitat while lifting billions of people out of poverty. These people will then likely want to live a modern lifestyle with more consumption. So then, the question is how do we reduce consumption but keep a high quality of life, all while promoting economic growth?
No easy answers, I’m afraid.
