The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The SDGs, or Sustainable Development Goals, are a set of 17 global targets adopted by the United Nations in 2015, as part of the 2030 Agenda to eradicate poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by the year 2030.

What are the key objectives of the 17 SDGs?

Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere

One of the targets of this goal for 2030 is to eradicate extreme poverty for all people worldwide, a level of precariousness quantified as those who do not exceed $1.25 in income per day.

Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture

This SDG aims to remedy hunger and improve nutrition on the planet through sustainable development and necessary investments in agricultural and livestock resources, as well as in the protection of forests, oceans, water, and biodiversity. It also seeks to ensure food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture, which involves, among other measures, supporting local producers and maintaining the genetic diversity of seeds, plants, and animals.

Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all people at all ages

One of its targets is to reduce the global maternal mortality rate to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030, through better childbirth care, among other health measures.

Goal 4: Ensure inclusive, equitable, quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all people

Education is the foundation for improving life and sustainable development, because access to inclusive and equitable education can provide local populations with the necessary tools to seek innovative solutions to major global problems. By 2030, all boys and girls should have access to and complete primary and secondary education.

Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

The aim is to end discrimination against women by implementing legal frameworks and empowerment policies.

Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all people

Among its targets is universal and equitable access to safe drinking water at an affordable price. Not only for consumption, but also so that populations in developing countries have access to adequate sanitation and hygiene services.

Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all people

This SDG highlights universal energy access as a key challenge for employment, security, and climate change. Its targets seek to expand the use of renewable energy through public and private investment, higher levels of financing, and international commitment.

Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all people

Nearly half of the world’s population lives on around two dollars a day, and in many places, having a job does not guarantee escaping poverty. Under this SDG, countries must review their economic and social policies to promote sustained and inclusive growth that does not harm the environment, creating employment with decent working conditions, with special attention to youth.

Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation

This goal highlights the importance of technological progress in achieving environmental targets. Without innovation, industry is not promoted, and without industry, there is no development. It is necessary to invest in advanced technology for manufacturing production and improve mobile telephony to promote connectivity.

Goal 10: Reduce inequalities within and among countries

It is recommended to promote universal policies for the most disadvantaged and marginalized populations, with special emphasis on exports from developing countries or innovations that reduce the costs of remittances from migrant workers.

Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable

This SDG seeks to improve urban planning and management to build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities. In short, cities that offer more opportunities, access to energy, housing, transportation, and other basic services.

Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

It promotes the efficient and responsible use of resources and energy; the development of ecological infrastructure and jobs to encourage responsible consumption, and sustainable production that allows doing more with less, without polluting air, water, or soil. The entire supply chain, from producer to consumer, must participate in this new model.

Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects

Among its most relevant targets are incorporating the fight against climate change into national policies, improving environmental education, and mobilizing funds for the Green Climate Fund.

Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development

It seeks for oceans, seas, and marine resources—sources of life, commerce, and transportation—to be managed effectively, with resources and laws that reduce overfishing, marine pollution, and ocean acidification.

Goal 15: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems

In the face of biodiversity loss and advancing desertification, it promotes sustainable forest management, the recovery and conservation of ecosystems, and the fight against deforestation, poaching, and trafficking of protected species.

Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development

This goal seeks to ensure universal access to justice and create effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels, thus contributing to more equitable and peaceful societies.

Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

This SDG highlights the need for partnerships between governments, the private sector, and civil society to place people and the planet at the center, from the global to the national and local level.