Sustainable Development Goals Fact Sheet
Prepared by the Australian Water Association WASH Specialist Network Committee
What are SDGs?
The United Nations (UN) have developed 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which form a set
of targets and indicators that UN member states will use to guide global development between 2015
and 2030. The 17 goals are:
1
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1
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No poverty
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End poverty in all its forms, everywhere
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2
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Zero hunger
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End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture
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3
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Good health and wellbeing
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Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages
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4
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Quality education
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Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
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5
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Gender equality
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Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
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6
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Clean water and sanitation
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Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
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7
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Affordable and clean energy
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Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
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8
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Decent work and economic growth
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Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all
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9
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Industry, innovation and infrastructure
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Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation
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10
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Reduced inequality
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Reduce inequality within and among countries
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11
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Sustainable cities and communities
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Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
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12
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Responsible consumption and production
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Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
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13
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Climate action
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Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
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14
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Life below water
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Conserve and sustainable use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
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15
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Life on land
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Protect restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss
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16
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Peace, justice and strong institutions
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Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
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17
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Partnerships for the goals
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Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
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Each goal has a set of targets to achieve by 2030, with 169 targets in total.
2
Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
The primary goal related to WASH is Goal 6, which is about ensuring access to water and sanitation for all people.
3 There are eight targets for Goal 6 that cover safe and affordable access to water, reduced pollution, increased water efficiency, protecting waterways and ecosystems, increasing capacity, support and local community participation.
How were the goals determined?
The SDGs and associated targets were adopted at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20 The Future We Want) and drafted by an open working group with representatives from 70 countries.4 This followed consultation with the global public using online and door-to-door survey methods. Indicators that will help to monitor progress, inform policy and ensure accountability of all stakeholders are currently in development.
5
How will these initiatives be funded?
The UN has identified initiatives and will support countries to develop structures that are required to fund the SDGs. It has been estimated that US$3 trillion per year will be needed globally. Private sector participation is essential, particularly in the form of economic growth and job creation.
Increased participation by this sector will require developing countries to improve economic stability and governance as well as strengthen tax collection and reducing illicit cash flows.
6 These initiatives will also be supported by international development assistance (currently at around $135 billion per year).
Global Context
The SDGs supersede the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that were developed in 2001. The MDGs provided a framework and coordinated approach for governments and the private sector to collectively develop policies and aid programs designed to reduce poverty and address global development challenges. The eight MDGs were to reduce poverty and hunger; achieve universal education; promote gender equality; reduce child and material deaths; combat HIV, malaria and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability; and develop global partnerships.
The SDGs are the next round of global goals to follow after the MDGs and further expand on them by making sustainable development a focus for all countries, including those providing funding. The SDGs set the expectation that every country will work towards achieving the goals.
More information
United Nations – Sustainable Development Goals
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