Sustainable Development Goals – Indicators, Elements, Measures Taken for Implementing SDGs

What are Sustainable Development Goals?

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were defined by the Brundtland Commission’s report Our Common Future (1987) as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is the most-acknowledged definition of the concept. Sustainable development calls for concentrated efforts toward building an inclusive, resilient, and wise future for the planet and its people. The United Nations General Assembly established this set of 17 interlinked goals to be achieved globally in 2012.

Full Form of SDGs

The full form of SDGs is Sustainable Development Goals. These SDGs have been put in place in the hopes of achieving a future that is accessible and sustainable for everyone. There are a total of 17 SDGs set up by the United Nations.

What are 17 Sustainable Development Goals?

There are certain goals for sustainable development that present an impeccable layout for developing the countries and focusing on the welfare of the local population. There are a total of 17 Sustainable Development Goals:

1. Ending poverty everywhere in all its forms.
2. Ending world hunger by achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture.
3. Ensuring healthy lives and well-being for everyone at all stages.
4. Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting opportunities for lifelong learning.
5. Achieving gender equality and empowering women at all stages of life.
6. Ensuring water availability, sustainable management, and adequate sanitation for all.
7. Ensuring access to affordable, sustainable, reliable, and modern energy for all.
8. Promoting economic growth that is sustainable and inclusive with an assurance of productive employment and decent work for all.
9. Building resilient infrastructure, promoting sustainable and inclusive industrialization that fosters innovation.
10. Reducing inequalities within and among countries.
11. Making human settlements and cities inclusive, safe, and sustainable.
12. Ensuring a sustainable pattern of consumption and production
13. Taking quick actions to combat climate change.
14. Conserving the oceans, seas, and marine resources and using them mindfully.
15. Protecting, promoting, and restoring the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, along with managing forests sustainably, combating desertification, halting biodiversity loss, and reversing land degradation.
16. Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for everyone, and building effective, accountable, inclusive institutions at all levels.
17. Strengthening the implementation and revitalizing of the global partnership for sustainable development.

Ways to Accomplish Global Initiatives

There is growing environmental interdependence, and the division of North and South is striking. In the North, 20% population is consuming 80% of resources, while the population in the South is still struggling to make ends meet. The global initiatives have been taken at two major levels the Regional and Community levels to accomplish sustainable development goals.

• Regional Initiatives: These initiatives are taken to focus on and mitigate the trans-border concerns which cannot be solved at an individual level by the countries such as shared rivers, pollution, etc. Certain organizations cater to a particular purpose, such as the EU [European Union], ASEAN, and SAARC.
• Community Initiatives: The initiatives that are taken by the NGOs interlinking global and local needs. The organizations such as IUCN, WWF, TRAFFIC, and Greenpeace have helped establish sustainable development goals.

Core Elements of Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, were a set of universal goals adopted by the United Nations General Assembly to create a more sustainable future for all. Here are the core elements of these sustainable development goals.

Economic Growth

The SDGs aim to promote sustainable economic growth that benefits all, particularly those who are most vulnerable and marginalized. This includes ensuring that economic growth is inclusive, job-rich, and sustainable over the long term.

Social Inclusion

The sustainable development goals aim to promote social inclusion by ensuring that all people have equal opportunities to participate in the economy and society, regardless of their background or circumstances. This includes addressing issues such as poverty, inequality, and discrimination.

Environmental Sustainability

Sustainable development goals aim to protect the planet and its resources for future generations by promoting sustainable development that conserves and restores the natural environment. This includes addressing issues such as climate change, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and land degradation.

Indicators of Sustainable Development

The three dimensions/core elements of sustainable development goals were discussed above. However, indicators and targets are further classified under each SDG. There are 17 SDGs with varying targets to achieve and indicators used to measure the success of the initiatives undertaken by the countries participating in the activity.

Sustainable Development Goals in India

India is a UN member and is involved in the SDG initiative kickstarted by the UN General Assembly. The NITI Aayog, too, released the Baseline Report of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index, which studies the progress made by the country comprehensively. Below is the track record of India in the implementation of these 17 Sustainable Development Goals;

• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was launched in the country to provide meaningful employment to unskilled laborers and simultaneously improve their standard of living.
• National Food Security Act was implemented for the provision of food grains to all at a subsidized rate.
• The flagship program Swachh Bharat Abhiyan undertaken by the Government of India was launched to make India open-defecation-free.
• Renewable energy generation targets have been decided at 175 GW. This is to be achieved by 2022 by using renewable energy sources like solar energy, wind energy, and others to reduce the dependence on non-renewable sources like fossil fuels.
• Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) schemes were launched to improve the country’s infrastructural aspects.
• After having signed the Paris Agreement, India has expressed its strong intent to fight against climate change.

Global Issues Related to Sustainable Development

There are numerous global concerns that put a question mark on the accomplishment of sustainable development goals [SDGs]. There are multiple barriers to this concept, which have been discussed below.

• There is a pattern of inequitable growth in national economies (North-South Divide).
• Technological progress has come at the cost of the loss of Biodiversity. The mindless use of natural resources has resulted in a severe impact on the biodiversity of the planet. Despite all the efforts being made over 20 years, the loss of the world’s biodiversity continues.
• The question and problem of Climate Change are as real and terrible as they can get. It is a global problem, and hence, requires global solutions and global action. Developing countries face particular challenges that should be addressed.
• Climate change and sustainable development are two mutually linked forces. The careful and rational tackling of climate change shall promote sustainable development and encouraging sustainable development shall help reverse climate change.

Global Initiatives on Sustainable Development Goals

There have been multiple steps taken in the direction of an equitable and sustainable future for all its citizens. A few have been discussed below;

• The Stockholm Conference (1972) was the first step toward making environmental concerns a global concern. This conference led to the Stockholm Declaration which contained an Action Plan and principles. This plan contained some recommendations for an environmental policy.
• United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) was set up in 1972 that catalyzed the development and coordination of an environmental focus on the programs of other similar organizations.
• The Earth Summit (1992) turned out to be the direct consequence of the Brundtland Commission’s Report. This summit was held in Rio de Janeiro. This culminated in the following Conferences- The Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), The Convention on Biological Diversity, The Statement on Forest Principles, The Rio Declaration, and Agenda 21.
• Kyoto Protocol (1997) extended the UNFCCC of 1992 into an international treaty that promised commitment from the state parties towards the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and human-made CO₂ emissions.
• Rio +10 (2002) was a meeting that convened to discuss organizations practicing sustainable development to mark the 10th anniversary of the first Earth Summit that took place in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. This gave way to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) which was held in Johannesburg.
• Ramsar Convention (1971) also called the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of Ramsar sites. The convention happened in the city of Ramsar, Iran after which it was named.
• The World Heritage Convention (1972) was a summit to identify and conserve the world’s cultural and natural heritage sites. It concisely listed the heritage sites of universal value, be it culturally, naturally, or both, and needed to be preserved.
• The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES, 1973) is a multilateral treaty that aims to extend protection for endangered species of plants and animals that have the threats of international trade looming over them.

Some other conventions and organizations contribute to sustainable development goals and aim to present a layout of a sustainable future for all. Get in touch with the list of the organizations as presented here.

• International Whaling Commission,1946
• Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), 1979
• Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, 1985
• Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, 1987
• Basel Convention, 1989
• Convention on Biological Diversity,1992
• Global Tiger Forum,1993
• United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification,1994
• Rotterdam Convention,1998
• Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants,2001
• Minamata Convention,2013
• Climate change mitigation strategies: Carbon sequestration, Carbon sink, Carbon Credit, Carbon trading, Carbon offsetting, Carbon Tax, Geo-engineering.
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
• UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)
• United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
• Climate Finance Architecture: Green Climate Fund (GCF), Adaptation Fund (AF), and Global Environment Facility (GEF).
• Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) and REDD+
• Paris Agreement 2015
• The Clean Development Mechanism is a way to reduce greenhouse gas (GHGs ) emissions through efficient and sound technologies.
• Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture (GACSA)
• Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE)

Millennium Development Goals

The Millennium Development Goals are 8 time-bound targets that were set by the United Nations in the September of 2000. These targets were to be achieved by the end of 15 years. These targets under the Millennium Development Goal have been listed below-

1. Eradication of extreme poverty and hunger.
2. Achieving Universal primary Education.
3. Promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women.
4. Reduction of child mortality.
5. Improvement in maternal health status.
6. Combatting HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases.
7. Ensured environmental sustainability.
8. Development of a global partnership for the development.

A final report was handed over to the UN in 2015 that stated the positive impact of the setting up of the Millennium Development goal. There was some significant growth in the aspect of maternal mortality rate.

Sustainable Development Goal Challenges

There are certain challenges in establishing sustainable development goals at the larger level. The major challenges sometimes act as a roadblock in realizing sustainable development goals.

• The persistence of inequality in some countries poses a challenge to the realization of sustainable development goals.
• The unemployment of the youth.
• Global warming and the surge in the rise of CO2 concentrations.
• The rise in ocean acidification.

Tracking the Progress of SDGs

The SDGs have been in place for a while. There have been numerous initiatives that have since been undertaken by governments and organizations all across the world. In 2019, there were 5 progress reports submitted that noted the development that happened across the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set up by the UN.

Three of these reports came from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), one from the European Union (EU), and one from the Bertelsmann Foundation. The Basel Institute of Commons and Economics reviewed these five reports and presented their synopsis of them based on the achievement of SDGs completed.

SDG Topic	Rank	Sustainable Development Goals Average Rank
Health	1	3.2
Energy, Climate, Water	2	4.0
Education	3	4.6
Poverty	4	6.2
Food	5	7.6
Economic Growth	6	8.6
Technology	7	8.8
Inequality	8	9.2
Gender Equality	9	10.0
Hunger	10	10.6
Justice	11	10.8
Governance	12	11.6
Decent Work	13	12.2
Peace	14	12.4
Clean Energy	15	12.6
Life on Land	16	14.4
Life below Water	17	15.0
Social Inclusion	18	16.4

Sustainable Development Goals Report 2022

According to the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2022, India ranked in 121st position out of 163 countries. Similar to previous years, the report provided a comprehensive overview of progress made toward achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also highlighted the key trends, challenges, and opportunities in different regions and countries.

Additionally, the 2022 report was topped by the Nordic countries of Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. However, countries like Bangladesh and Cambodia showed the highest progress since 2015. The sustainable development goals report is an important tool for policymakers and other stakeholders to track progress and identify areas where further action is needed to achieve a more sustainable future for all.

Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021

The United Nations prepares an annual report to track the progress toward achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 2021 report highlighted that while some progress has been made toward achieving the SDGs, there is still much work to be done to ensure that the goals are met by the target date of 2030. The report also highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on the world, which led to setting back progress in many areas.

Furthermore, the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021 also identified key challenges and opportunities for achieving the SDGs, including the need to build back better from the pandemic, promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, and address the root causes of inequality and poverty.

India’s Rank in SDG Report 2021

India ranked at 120th position in the SDG Report, 2021 with an overall score of 61.9. India dropped by three places in 2021 when compared to the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2020, where India ranked 117th. India has only been able to achieve SDG 13 (Climate Action). It is set on its track to maintain this SDG achievement. Though there are major challenges left to deal with:

• India has been on track to achieve SDG 6 (Clean water & sanitization) with its Swach Bharat Abhiyan.
• SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 15 (Life on Land) have, however, deteriorated
• SDG 1 (No Poverty); SDG 3 (Good Health & Well Being) SDG 7 (Affordable & Clean Energy); SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth); SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure); SDG 14 (Life Below Water) have seen some substantial improvement in them though there is a long way to go.

Importance of Sustainable Development

Sustainable development is a development approach that aims to balance social, economic, and environmental considerations to create a more sustainable future. Sustainable development is important for several reasons:

• Sustainable development focuses on protecting the environment by promoting sustainable practices that minimize the negative impact of human activities on natural resources.
• It also helps to create jobs, boost economic growth, and improve the standard of living for people.
• Sustainable development promotes the efficient use of resources by reducing waste, promoting resource efficiency, and minimizing the use of non-renewable resources.
• It also addresses climate change by promoting the use of renewable energy sources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting sustainable transportation systems.

Sustainable Development Goals UPSC

Owing to its factual findings and relevance, the Sustainable Development Goals hold great significance in both the Prelims and UPSC Mains under the current affairs section of the exam. Candidates can refer to the latest magazines and blogs to stay up-to-date about the happenings of the world. You can also refer to the Sustainable Development notes. This article has been written keeping in line with the exam pattern and syllabus.

Sustainable Development UPSC PDF

SDGs are an important topic that is full of factual findings. This topic requires thorough revision as all UN-related organizations and schemes are important from the perspective of the IAS exam. Stay on top of your revision game with our collection of concisely written study material. You can also download the notes for sustainable development goals.

Sustainable Development Questions

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are UN-suggested and set goals. The United Nations is a great topic of interest for the UPSC board, which is why the aspirants must commit knowledge about it to their memory well. Practice SDGs UPSC questions and develop their understanding with these questions given below:

Question: Sustainable Development Goals and targets are to be achieved by: [A] 2020, [B] 2025, [C]  2030, [D] 2050

Answer: Option [C] 2030

Question: Which among the following targets are sustainable development goals? [A] Zero poverty, [B] Quality education, [C] Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Other Diseases [D] Decent work and economic growth

Answer: [C] Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Other Diseases

Question: The 12th Five-year plan aims at: [A] Greening 5 million ha under Green India Mission. [B] Integrated Ecotourism District Plans covering 10% of all potential Protected Areas (PAs) by 2017. [C] Cleaning all the critically polluted rivers by 2020 and 80% by 2017. [D] All of the above

Answer: [D] All of the above

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