The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

- In the last video, I set the foundation for this course by introducing the three interconnected dimensions of sustainability: the environment, the economy, and society. Now, we will explore how these elements are related to the world's sustainable development goals or what are known as the SDGs. In 2015, over 190 countries committed to the 2030 agenda for sustainable development and agreed to and I quote, "Take the bold and transformative steps which are urgently needed to shift the world onto a sustainable and resilient path." This landmark agreement is underpinned by 17 sustainable development goals or SDGs, which cover everything from ending poverty, eliminating hunger, reducing inequalities, tracking climate change, and protecting ecosystems. The 17 SDGs were identified by national leaders as "critical to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all". They cover all three of the sustainability dimensions that I introduced in the previous video. As described in the 2030 agenda, it is a plan of action for people, planet, and prosperity. The SDGs were introduced and adopted at interconnected goals. Yet, they are often presented as a list. But a better way to view them is what is sometimes referred to as a wedding cake view. The wedding cake view was originally introduced by the Stockholm Resilience Institute. The layers of the wedding cake are made up of the 17 SDGs. The bottom layer of the cake, which is the foundation, are the SDGs related to the natural world. These include SDG 13; focusing on addressing climate change, SDG 14, which focuses on protecting oceans and ecosystems. SDG 15, which is about protecting land-based ecosystems. And SDG 6, which is focused on fresh water, ensuring reliable supply of clean water and sanitation. The next layer of the cake includes the SDGs related to society. These include SDG 1, ending poverty; SG 2, zero hunger; SDG 3, good health and wellbeing; SDG 4, quality education for all; SDG 5, gender equality; SDG 7, affordable clean energy; SDG 11, sustainable cities; and SDG 16, which is about peace, justice, and inclusivity. The final layer of the cake includes those SDGs related to the economy. These are SDG 8, decent work and economic growth; SDG 9, industry innovation and infrastructure; SDG 10, which is about reducing inequality; and SDG 12, which is focused on responsible production and consumption. All of these layers of the cake are connected. Let me share a few examples of how this layered view of the SDG brings to light the interdependence of the environmental, societal and economic dimensions of sustainability. Consider goal number one, no poverty. Imagine a poor young girl. To lift herself out of poverty she needs an education. Thus ending poverty isn't possible without addressing SDG 14, quality education for all. But for her to attend school, she needs access to clean water and sanitation to stay healthy, which brings us to SGD 6, clean water and sanitation. Now, consider goal 15, which is about protecting life on land. Let's take the Amazon rainforest as an example. The Amazon is not merely a collection of trees. It's an intricate ecosystem that provides life supporting services for people and animals across the globe. The biodiversity within the Amazon aids in pest control, pollination, soil health, directly influencing global food production ensuring we have a variety of crops, and harbors the potential for discovering new medicines that could lead to groundbreaking cures for human diseases. So it holds a key to good health and wellbeing, SDG 3. It's also a critical carbon sink helping mitigate climate change, which is the focus of SDG 13. What these examples are intended to highlight is that the success of any single SDG cannot be achieved in isolation of the others. When the nations of the world adopted SDGs in 2015, it was more than just agreeing to a set of isolated sustainability goals. It was a recognition that our shared future hinges on the delicate balance between the environment, the economy, and society. The development of the SDGs was a turning point for the world, elevating the importance of taking an integrated approach to sustainability. However, the world is not on track to achieve these goals. What is clear is that we will need to fundamentally transform almost every aspect of our society and economy to meet these ambitious objectives. In the next video of this course, we will continue to talk about connections, this time about scale from local to global.