Action, stewardship & transformation

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals SDGs, adopted in September 2015 by over 193 countries paves the way forward with lessons learnt from the Millennium Goals.  The big difference is the participation of countries with different income levels, making it a local consultation process with global goals.  The UN undertook one of the biggest consultation process in history, which by ‘getting it from the source’ is clearly evident in the goals and objectives.

The Sustainable Development Goals challenges us to take action for social equity, greener planet, where we preserve the environment, honour wisdom and indigenous peoples, grow food for all, make things, imagine and rethink design, drink clean water, solar powered homes, and regenerate the Earth for future generations.  Sustainable development actions gives us abundance, healthy lifestyles and equity.  It is the decision for inclusive and caring society. The Goals defines issues contextually, diving into the objectives, over 169 of them, to help redefine how we want to live,  and preserve the planet, which belongs to all living things.  It encourages collaboration and participate to ensure stewardship of our own surroundings for all people and ecosystems.

SDGs: It’s in our hands.  How will you act?  What will you do.

The 17 goals are:

1) End poverty in all its forms everywhere

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

3) Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages

4) Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

5) Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

6) Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

7) Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

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

9) Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation

10) Reduce inequality within and among countries

11) Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

12) Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

13) Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts (taking note of agreements made by the UNFCCC forum)

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

15) Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss

16) Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

17) Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development