Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (or Global Goals for Sustainable Germany.

Germany. The outcome document proposed 17 sustainable development goals and

Development, the 17 Global Goals associated targets. In the run-up to Rio+20 there was much discussion about the idea
The Global Goals[2] or simply the Goals[3]) are a collection of 17 global of the SDGs. At the Rio+20 Conference, a resolution known as "The Future We
goals set by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. The SDGs are part of Want" was reached by member states. [15] Among the key themes agreed on were
Resolution 70/1 of the United Nations General Assembly [4]: "Transforming our poverty eradication, energy, water and sanitation, health, and human settlement.
World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development". That has been shortened to
The Rio+20 outcome document mentioned that “at the outset, the OWG
"2030 Agenda".[5] The goals are broad and interdependent, yet each has a separate
[Open Working Group] will decide on its methods of work, including developing
list of targets to achieve. Achieving all 169 targets would signal accomplishing all 17
modalities to ensure the full involvement of relevant stakeholders and expertise from
goals. The SDGs cover social and economic development issues including poverty,
civil society, the scientific community and the United Nations system in its work, in
hunger, health, education, global warming, gender equality, water, sanitation, energy,
order to provide a diversity of perspectives and experience”. [15]
urbanization, environment and social justice.[6]
In January 2013, the 30-member UN General Assembly Open Working
Paragraph 54 of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution
Group on Sustainable Development Goals was established to identify specific goals
A/RES/70/1 of 25 September 2015 contains the goals and targets. [7] The UN-led
for the SDGs. The Open Working Group (OWG) was tasked with preparing a
process involved its 193 Member States and global civil society. The resolution is a
proposal on the SDGs for consideration during the 68th session of the General
broad intergovernmental agreement that acts as the Post-2015 Development Agenda.
Assembly, September 2013 – September 2014. [16] On 19 July 2014, the OWG
The SDGs build on the principles agreed upon in Resolution A/RES/66/288, entitled
forwarded a proposal for the SDGs to the Assembly. After 13 sessions, the OWG
"The Future We Want".[8] This was a non-binding document released as a result of
submitted their proposal of 17 SDGs and 169 targets to the 68th session of the
Rio+20 Conference held in 2012.[8]
General Assembly in September 2014.[17] On 5 December 2014, the UN General
Implementation as of 2016 is described as "Localizing the SDGs" to Assembly accepted the Secretary General's Synthesis Report, which stated that the
highlight the role of local institutions and local actors. [9] Regional efforts included agenda for the post-2015 SDG process would be based on the OWG proposals.[18]
agreements like the Baltic 2030 Action Plan[10]. Some remain pessimistic about the
Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations Secretary-General from 2007 to 2016,
potential for achieving the SDGs, especially because of estimates of the cost of
has stated that: "We don’t have plan B because there is no planet B!." [19][when?] This
achieving all 17.[9] However, progress had been reported by 2018. For example,
thought has guided the development of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
fewer African children under the age of 5 are suffering from stunting and wasting.
However, the same study concluded that it is unlikely there will be an end to The Post-2015 Development Agenda was a process from 2012 to 2015 led
malnutrition by 2030.[11] by the United Nations to define the future global development framework that would
succeed the Millennium Development Goals. The SDGs were developed to succeed
Background
the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which ended in 2015. The gaps and
Further information: Post-2015 Development Agenda and Millennium Development
shortcomings of MDG Goal 8 (To develop a global partnership for development) led
Goals. UN SDG consultations in Mariupol, Ukraine
to identifying a problematic "donor-recipient" relationship. [20] Instead, the new SDGs
In 1972, governments met in Stockholm, Sweden, for the United Nations favor collective action by all countries.[20]
Conference on the Human Environment, to consider the rights of the family to a
Implementation
healthy and productive environment.[12] In 1983, the United Nations created the
Implementation of the SDGs started worldwide in 2016. This process can
World Commission on Environment and Development (later known as the
also be called "Localizing the SDGs". All over the planet, individual people,
Brundtland Commission), which defined sustainable development as "meeting the
universities, governments and institutions and organizations of all kinds work on
needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
several goals at the same time.[23] In each country, governments must translate the
their own needs".[13] In 1992, the first United Nations Conference on Environment
goals into national legislation, develop a plan of action, establish budgets and at the
and Development (UNCED) or Earth Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro, where the
same time be open to and actively search for partners. Poor countries need the
first agenda for Environment and Development, also known as Agenda 21, was
support of rich countries and coordination at the international level is crucial.
developed and adopted.
The independent campaign "Project Everyone" has met some resistance. [25]
In 2012, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development [26]
In addition, several sections of civil society and governments felt the SDGs
(UNCSD), also known as Rio+20, was held as a 20-year follow up to UNCED.
ignored "sustainability" even though it was the most important aspect of the
Colombia proposed the idea of the SDGs at a preparation event for Rio+20 held in
agreement.[27]
Indonesia in July 2011.[14] In September 2011, this idea was picked up by the United
Nations Department of Public Information 64th NGO Conference in Bonn,
 A 2018 study in the journal Nature found that while "nearly all African effects experienced by children. It affects their education, health, nutrition, and
countries demonstrated improvements for children under 5 years old for stunting, security, impacting emotional and spiritual development.
wasting, and underweight... much, if not all of the continent will fail to meet the
Sustainable Development Goal target—to end malnutrition by 2030".[11] Achieving Goal 1 is hampered by growing inequality, increasingly fragile statehood,
There have been two books produced one by each of the co-chairs of the negotiations and the impacts of climate change.
to help people to understand the Sustainable Development Goals and where they
came from: "Negotiating the Sustainable Development Goals: A transformational Goal 2: Zero hunger "End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition,
agenda for an insecure world" written by Ambassador David Donoghue, Felix Dodds and promote sustainable agriculture"
and Jimena Leiva as well as "Transforming Multilateral Diplomacy: The Inside
Story of the Sustainable Development Goals" by Macharia Kamau, David O'Connor Goal 2 states that by 2030 we should end hunger and all forms of
and Pamela Chasek. malnutrition. This would be accomplished by doubling agricultural productivity and
THE 17 GOALS incomes of small-scale food producers (especially women and indigenous peoples),
by ensuring sustainable food production systems, and by progressively improving
land and soil quality. Agriculture is the single largest employer in the world,
There are 169 targets for the 17 goals. Each target has between 1 and 3
providing livelihoods for 40% of the global population. It is the largest source of
indicators used to measure progress toward reaching the targets. In total, there are
income for poor rural households. Women make up about 43% of the agricultural
232 approved indicators that will measure compliance. [42] [43] The United Nations
labor force in developing countries, and over 50% in parts of Asia and Africa.
Development Programme has been asked to provide easy to understand lists of
However, women own only 20% of the land.
targets and facts and figures for each of the 17 SDGs. [44] The 17 goals listed below as
sub-headings use the 2-to-4 word phrases that identify each goal. Directly below
each goal, in quotation marks, is the exact wording of the goal in one sentence. The Other targets deal with maintaining genetic diversity of seeds, increasing
paragraphs that follow present some information about a few targets and indicators access to land, preventing trade restriction and distortions in world agricultural
related to each goal. markets to limit extreme food price volatility, eliminating waste with help from the
International Food Waste Coalition, and ending malnutrition and under nutrition of
children.
Goal 1: No poverty "End poverty in all its forms everywhere."

Globally, 1 in 9 people are undernourished, the vast majority of whom live

Extreme poverty has been cut by more than half since 1990. Still, more than
in developing countries. Under nutrition causes wasting or severe wasting of 52
1 in 5 people live on less than the target figure of US$1.25 per day. That target may
million children worldwide,[51] and contributes to nearly half (45%) of deaths in
not be adequate for human subsistence, however. Some suggest it may be necessary
children under five – 3.1 million children per year. [52] Chronic malnutrition, which
to raise the poverty line figure to as high as $5 per day.[46] Poverty is more than the
affects an estimated 155 million children worldwide, also stunts children's brain and
lack of income or resources. People live in poverty if they lack basic services such as
physical development and puts them at further risk of death, disease, and lack of
healthcare, security, and education. They also experience hunger, social
success as adults. [51] As of 2017, only 26 of 202 UN member countries are on track
discrimination, and exclusion from decision-making processes.
to meet the SDG target to eliminate undernourishment and malnourishment, while 20
percent have made no progress at all and nearly 70 percent have no or insufficient
Children make up the majority – more than half – of those living in extreme data to determine their progress. [51]
poverty. In 2013, an estimated 385 million children lived on less than US$1.90 per
day. [47] Still, these figures are unreliable due to huge gaps in data on the status of
A report by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) of
children worldwide. On average, 97 percent of countries have insufficient data to
2013 stated that the emphasis of the SDGs should not be on ending poverty by 2030,
determine the state of impoverished children and make projections towards SDG
but on eliminating hunger and under-nutrition by 2025. [53] The assertion is based on
Goal 1, and 63 percent of countries have no data on child poverty at all. [48]
an analysis of experiences in China, Vietnam, Brazil, and Thailand. Three pathways
to achieve this were identified: 1) agriculture-led; 2) social protection- and nutrition-
Women face potentially life-threatening risks from early pregnancy and intervention-led; or 3) a combination of both of these approaches.[53]
frequent pregnancies. This can result in lost hope for an education and for a better
income.[citation needed] Poverty affects age groups differently, with the most devastating
Goal 3: Good health and well-being for people "Ensure healthy lives and promote
well-being for all at all ages."
 Significant strides have been made in increasing life expectancy and accidents and from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and
reducing some of the common killers associated with child and maternal mortality. contamination.[55]
Between 2000 and 2016, the worldwide under-five mortality rate decreased by 47
percent (from 78 deaths per 1,000 live births to 41 deaths per 1,000 live births). [51] Goal 4: Quality education "Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and
Still, the number of children dying under age five is extremely high: 5.6 million in promote lifelong learning opportunities for all."
2016 alone.[51] Newborns account for a growing number of these deaths, and poorer
children are at the greatest risk of under-5 mortality due to a number of factors. [51] Major progress has been made in access to education, specifically at the
SDG Goal 3 aims to reduce under-five mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 primary school level, for both boys and girls. Still, at least 22 million children in 43
live births. But if current trends continue, more than 60 countries will miss the SDG countries will miss out on pre-primary education unless the rate of progress doubles.
neonatal mortality target for 2030. About half of these countries would not reach the [51]
target even by 2050. [51]
Access does not always mean quality of education or completion of primary
Goal 3 also aims to reduce maternal mortality to less than 70 deaths per school. 103 million youth worldwide still lack basic literacy skills, and more than 60
100,000 live births.[55] Though the maternal mortality ratio declined by 37 percent percent of those are women. In one out of four countries, more than half of children
between 2000 and 2015, there were approximately 303,000 maternal deaths failed to meet minimum math proficiency standards at the end of primary school, and
worldwide in 2015, most from preventable causes. [51] In 2015, maternal health at the lower secondary level, the rate was 1 in 3 countries. [51] Target 1 of Goal 4 is to
conditions were also the leading cause of death among girls aged 15-19. [51] Data for ensure that, by 2030, all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary
girls of greatest concern – those aged between 10-14 - is currently unavailable. Key and secondary education.
strategies for meeting SDG Goal 3 will be to reduce adolescent pregnancy (which is
strongly linked to gender equality), provide better data for all women and girls, and
achieve universal coverage of skilled birth attendants.[51] Additionally, progress is difficult to track: 75 percent of countries have no
or insufficient data to track progress towards SDG Goal 4 targets for learning
outcomes (target 1), early childhood education (target 2), and effective learning
Similarly, progress has been made on increasing access to clean water and environments.[51] Data on learning outcomes and pre-primary school are particularly
sanitation and on reducing malaria, tuberculosis, polio, and the spread of HIV/AIDS. scarce; 70 percent and 40 percent of countries lack adequate data for these targets,
From 2000-2016, new HIV infections declined by 66 percent for children under 15 respectively.[51] This makes it hard to analyze and identify the children at greatest risk
and by 45 percent among adolescents aged 15-19.[51] However, current trends mean of being left behind.
that 1 out of 4 countries still won't meet the SDG target to end AIDS among children
under 5, and 3 out of 4 will not meet the target to end AIDS among adolescents. [51]
Additionally, only half of women in developing countries have received the health Goal 5: Gender equality "Achieve gender equality and empower all women and
care they need, and the need for family planning is increasing exponentially as the girls."
population grows. While needs are being addressed gradually, more than 225 million
women have an unmet need for contraception. According to the UN, "gender equality is not only a fundamental human
right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable
Goal 3 aims to achieve universal health coverage, including access to world."[58] Providing women and girls with equal access to education, health care,
essential medicines and vaccines. [55] It proposes to end the preventable death of decent work, and representation in political and economic decision-making processes
newborns and children under 5 and to end epidemics such as AIDS, tuberculosis, will nurture sustainable economies and benefit societies and humanity at large. A
malaria, and water-borne diseases, for example.[55] 2016 rates for the third dose of the record 143 countries guaranteed equality between men and women in their
pertussis vaccine (DTP3) and the first dose of the measles vaccine (MCV1) reached constitutions as of 2014. However, another 52 had not taken this step. In many
86 percent and 85 percent, respectively. Yet about 20 million children did not receive nations, gender discrimination is still woven into the fabric of legal systems and
DTP3 and about 21 million did not receive MCV1. [51] Around 2 in 5 countries will social norms. Even though SDG5 is a stand-alone goal, other SDGs can only be
need to accelerate progress in order to reach SDG targets for immunization.[51] achieved if the needs of women receive the same attention as the needs of men.
Issues unique to women and girls include traditional practices against all women and
girls in the public and private spheres, such as female genital mutilation.
Attention to health and well-being also includes targets related to the
prevention and treatment of substance abuse, deaths and injuries from traffic
Child marriage has declined over the past decades, yet there is no region
that is currently on track to eliminate the practice and reach SDG targets by 2030. [51]
If current trends continue, between 2017 and 2030, 150 million girls will be married Ending open defecation will require provision of toilets and sanitation for
before they turn 18.[51] Though child marriages are four times higher among the 2.6 billion people as well as behavior change of the users.[65] This will require
poorest than the wealthiest in the world, most countries need to accelerate progress cooperation between governments, civil society, and the private sector. [66]
among both groups in order to reach the SDG Goal 5 target to eliminate child
marriage by 2030.[51] The main indicator for the sanitation target is the "Proportion of population using
safely managed sanitation services, including a hand-washing facility with soap and
Achieving gender equality will require enforceable legislation that promotes water".[67] However, as of 2017, two-thirds of countries lacked baseline estimates for
empowerment of all women and girls and requires secondary education for all girls. SDG indicators on hand washing, safely managed drinking water, and sanitation
[59]
The targets call for an end to gender discrimination and for empowering women services.[51] From those that were available, the Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP)
and girls through technology[60] Some have advocated for "listening to girls". The found that 4.5 billion people currently do not have safely managed sanitation.[65] If
assertion is that the SDGs can deliver transformative change for girls only if girls are we are to meet SDG targets for sanitation by 2030, nearly one-third of countries will
consulted. Their priorities and needs must be taken into account. Girls should be need to accelerate progress to end open defecation including Brazil, China, Ethiopia,
viewed not as beneficiaries of change, but as agents of change. Engaging women and India, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Pakistan.[51]
girls in the implementation of the SDGs is crucial.[61]
The Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA) has made it its mission to achieve
The World Pensions Council (WPC) has insisted on the transformational SDG6.[68][69] SuSanA's position is that the SDGs are highly interdependent. Therefore,
role gender-diverse that boards can play in that regard, predicting that 2018 could be the provision of clean water and sanitation for all is a precursor to achieving many of
a pivotal year, as “more than ever before, many UK and European Union pension the other SDGs.[70]
trustees speak enthusiastically about flexing their fiduciary muscles for the UN’s
Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG5, and to achieve gender equality Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy[edit]
and empower all women and girls.”[62]
"Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all." [71]
Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation "Ensure availability and sustainable [edit]
management of water and sanitation for all.
Main article: Sustainable Development Goal 6 Targets for 2030 include access to affordable and reliable energy while increasing
Example of sanitation for all: School toilet (IPH school and college, Mohakhali, the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. This would involve
Dhaka, Bangladesh) Unimproved sanitation example: pit latrine without slab in improving energy efficiency and enhancing international cooperation to facilitate
Lusaka, Zambia more open access to clean energy technology and more investment in clean energy
infrastructure. Plans call for particular attention to infrastructure support for the least
developed countries, small islands and land-locked developing countries.[71]
The Sustainable Development Goal Number 6 (SDG6) has eight targets and
11 indicators that will be used to monitor progress toward the targets. Most are to be
achieved by the year 2030. One is targeted for 2020.[64] As of 2017, only 57 percent of the global population relies primarily on clean fuels
and technology, falling short of the 95 percent target.[51]
The first three targets relate to drinking water supply and sanitation.[64]
Worldwide, 6 out of 10 people lack safely managed sanitation services, and 3 out of Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth[edit]
10 lack safely managed water services. [51] Safe drinking water and hygienic toilets
protect people from disease and enable societies to be more productive "Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive
economically. Attending school and work without disruption is critical to successful employment and decent work for all."[72][edit]
education and successful employment. Therefore, toilets in schools and work places
are specifically mentioned as a target to measure. "Equitable sanitation" calls for World Pensions Council (WPC) development economists have argued that the twin
addressing the specific needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations, considerations of long-term economic growth and infrastructure investment weren’t
such as the elderly or people with disabilities. Water sources are better preserved if prioritized enough. Being prioritized as number 8 and number 9 respectively was
open defecation is ended and sustainable sanitation systems are implemented. considered a rather "mediocre ranking and defies common sense"[73]
For the least developed countries, the economic target is to attain at least a 7 percent The target of 3 percent was established as the cost that international migrant workers
annual growth in gross domestic product (GDP). Achieving higher productivity will would pay to send money home (known as remittances). However, post offices and
require diversification and upgraded technology along with innovation, money transfer companies currently charge 6 percent of the amount remitted. Worse,
entrepreneurship, and the growth of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). commercial banks charge 11 percent. Prepaid cards and mobile money companies
Some targets are for 2030; others are for 2020. The target for 2020 is to reduce youth charge 2 to 4 percent, but those services were not widely available as of 2017 in
unemployment and operationalize a global strategy for youth employment. typical "remittance corridors."[77]
Implementing the Global Jobs Pact of the International Labour Organization is also
mentioned. Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities[edit]

By 2030, the target is to establish policies for sustainable tourism that will create "Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable." [78]
jobs. Strengthening domestic financial institutions and increasing Aid for Trade [edit]
support for developing countries is considered essential to economic development.
The Enhanced Integrated Framework for Trade-Related Technical Assistance to The target for 2030 is to ensure access to safe and affordable housing. The indicator
Least Developed Countries is mentioned as a method for achieving sustainable named to measure progress toward this target is the proportion of urban population
economic development.[72] living in slums or informal settlements. Between 2000 and 2014, the proportion fell
from 39 percent to 30 percent. However, the absolute number of people living in
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure[edit] slums went from 792 million in 2000 to an estimated 880 million in 2014. Movement
from rural to urban areas has accelerated as the population has grown and better
"Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, housing alternatives are available.[79]
and foster innovation".[74][edit]
Further information: Resilience (engineering and construction) and Urban Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production[edit]
resilience
"Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns."[80][edit]
Manufacturing is a major source of employment. In 2016, the least developed Further information: Sustainable products
countries had less "manufacturing value added per capita". The figure for Europe and
North America amounted to US$4,621, compared to about $100 in the least The targets of Goal 12 include using eco-friendly production methods and reducing
developed countries.[75] The manufacturing of high products contributes 80 percent to the amount of waste. By 2030, national recycling rates should increase, as measured
total manufacturing output in industrialized economies but barely 10 percent in the in tons of material recycled. Further, companies should adopt sustainable practices
least developed countries. and publish sustainability reports.

Mobile-cellular signal coverage has improved a great deal. In previously Target 12.1 calls for the implementation of the 10-Year Framework of Programmes
"unconnected" areas of the globe, 85 percent of people now live in covered areas. on Sustainable Consumption and Production.[81] This framework, adopted by member
Planet-wide, 95 percent of the population is covered. [75] states at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, is a global
commitment to accelerate the shift to sustainable consumption and production in
Goal 10: Reducing inequalities[edit] developed and developing countries.[82] In order to generate the collective impact
necessary for such a shift, programs such as the One Planet Network have formed
"Reduce income inequality within and among countries."[76][edit] different implementation methods to help achieve Goal 12.[83]

One target is to reduce the cost of exporting goods from least developed countries. Goal 13: Climate action[edit]
"Duty-free treatment" has expanded. As of 2015, 65 percent of products coming
from the least developed countries were duty-free, as compared to 41 percent in
2005.
"Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts by regulating by humans. It has been found that 95 percent of fulmars in Norway have plastic parts
emissions and promoting developments in renewable energy."[84][edit] in their guts.[91][full citation needed] Microplastics are another form of marine pollution.

The UN discussions and negotiations identified the links between the post-2015 SDG Individuals can help the oceans by reducing their energy consumption and their use
process and the Financing for Development process that concluded in Addis Ababa of plastics. Nations can also take action. In Norway, for instance, citizens, working
in July 2015 and the COP 21 Climate Change conference in Paris in December 2015. through a web page called finn.no, can earn money for picking up plastic on the
[85]
beach.[93] Several countries, including Kenya, have banned the use of plastic bags for
retail purchases.[94]
In May 2015, a report concluded that only a very ambitious climate deal in Paris in
2015 could enable countries to reach the sustainable development goals and targets. Improving the oceans contributes to poverty reduction, as it gives low-income
[86]
The report also states that tackling climate change will only be possible if the families a source of income and healthy food. Keeping beaches and ocean water
SDGs are met. Further, economic development and climate change are inextricably clean in less developed countries can attract tourism, as stated in Goal 8, and reduce
linked, particularly around poverty, gender equality, and energy. The UN encourages poverty by providing more employment.[92][full citation needed]
the public sector to take initiative in this effort to minimize negative impacts on the
environment.[87] The targets include preventing and reducing marine pollution and acidification,
protecting marine and coastal ecosystems, and regulating fishing. The targets also
This renewed emphasis on climate change mitigation was made possible by the call for an increase in scientific knowledge of the oceans.[95][96]
partial Sino-American convergence that developed in 2015-2016, notably at the UN
COP21 summit (Paris) and ensuing G20 conference (Hangzhou).[73] Goal 15: Life on land[edit]

As one of the regions most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, the Asia- "Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably
Pacific region needs more public-private partnerships (PPPs) to successfully manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and
implement its sustainable development initiatives.[88] halt biodiversity loss."[97][edit]

Goal 14: Life below water[edit] This goal articulates targets for preserving biodiversity of forest, desert, and
mountain eco-systems, as a percentage of total land mass. Achieving a "land
"Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for degradation-neutral world" can be reached by restoring degraded forests and land
sustainable development."[89][edit] lost to drought and flood. Goal 15 calls for more attention to preventing invasion of
introduced species and more protection of endangered species.[98] Forests have a
Oceans cover 71 percent of the Earth's surface. They are essential for making the prominent role to play in the success of Agenda 2030, notably in terms of ecosystem
planet livable. Rainwater, drinking water and climate are all regulated by ocean services, livelihoods, and the green economy; but this will require clear priorities to
temperatures and currents. Over 3 billion people depend on marine life for their address key tradeoffs and mobilize synergies with other SDGs.[99]
livelihood. Oceans absorb 30 percent of all carbon dioxide produced by humans.[90]
[full citation needed]
The Mountain Green Cover Index monitors progress toward target 15.4, which
focuses on preserving mountain ecosystems. The index is named as the indicator for
The oceans contain more than 200,000 identified species, and there might be target 15.4.[100] Similarly, the Red Index (Red List Index or RLI) will fill the
thousands of species that are yet to be discovered. Oceans are the world's largest monitoring function for biodiversity goals by documenting the trajectory of
sources of protein. However, there has been a 26 percent increase in acidification endangered species.[98] Animal extinction is a growing problem.
since the industrial revolution. A full 30 percent of marine habitats have been
destroyed, and 30 percent of the world's fish stocks are over-exploited.[90][full citation needed] Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions[edit]
Marine pollution has reached shocking levels; each minute, 15 tons of plastic are
released into the oceans. [91][full citation needed] 20 percent of all coral reefs have been
destroyed irreversibly, and another 24 percent are in immediate risk of collapse. [92][full
citation needed]
Approximately 1 million sea birds, 100 000 marine mammals, and an
unknown number of fish are harmed or die annually due to marine pollution caused
"Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide
access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at
all levels."[101][edit]

Reducing violent crime, sex trafficking, forced labor, and child abuse are clear global
goals. The International Community values peace and justice and calls for stronger
judicial systems that will enforce laws and work toward a more peaceful and just
society. By 2017, the UN could report progress on detecting victims of trafficking.
More women and girls than men and boys were victimized, yet the share of women
and girls has slowly declined (see also violence against women). In 2004, 84 percent
of victims were females and by 2014 that number had dropped to 71 percent. Sexual
exploitation numbers have declined, but forced labor has increased.

One target is to see the end to sex trafficking, forced labor, and all forms of violence
against and torture of children. However, reliance on the indicator of "crimes
reported" makes monitoring and achieving this goal challenging. [102] For instance, 84
percent of countries have no or insufficient data on violent punishment of children. [51]
Of the data available, it is clear that violence against children by their caregivers
remains pervasive: Nearly 8 in 10 children aged 1 to 14 are subjected to violent
discipline on a regular basis (regardless of income), and no country is on track to
eliminate violent discipline by 2030.[51]

SDG 16 also targets universal legal identity and birth registration, ensuring the right
to a name and nationality, civil rights, recognition before the law, and access to
justice and social services. With more than a quarter of children under 5 unregistered
worldwide as of 2015, about 1 in 5 countries will need to accelerate progress to
achieve universal birth registration by 2030.[51]

Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals[edit]

"Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for
sustainable development.“[103][edit]

Increasing international cooperation is seen as vital to achieving each of the 16

previous goals. Goal 17 is included to assure that countries and organizations
cooperate instead of compete. Developing multi-stakeholder partnerships to share
knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial support is seen as critical to overall
success of the SDGs. Public-private partnerships that involve civil societies are
specifically mentioned.[104]