2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

On 1 January 2016,  the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was adopted by Countries in September 2015 at an historic UN Summit,  came into force.  These new Goals apply to all nations who are supposed to achieve the SDGs in the coming 15 years. 

The SDGs build on the success of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and aim to go further to end all forms of poverty. The new Goals are unique in that they call for action by all countries, poor, rich and middle-income to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. They recognize that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and addresses a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection.

They are formed of 17 goals and 169 targets. Between them, they should shape the policies of the 193 countries who committed to them over the next 15 years. These goals have the power to transform our world, and deliver a future in which people and nature thrive.

The SDGs are global plan of action for people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnerships. It is a cohesive environmental and social sustainability vision for all  to align their core strategies to contribute to the quality of life and our planet.

The Sustainable Development Goals are a big step forward for achieving the equitable and environmentally sustainable economic development. They recognize that we all depend on the planet’s natural resources (forests, rivers, oceans and land) such as resources such as clean water, arable land, plentiful fish and wood; and ecosystem services such as pollination, nutrient cycling and erosion prevention, and resilience to a changing climate for our social and economic wellbeing. Equally, they stress that our ability to use the planets resources wisely depends upon creating a fair, sustainable and prosperous society, and decoupling our economies from fossil fuels and environmental damage.

If the 193 countries involved make good on their promise, by 2030 we will live in a world that has: 

• halted the loss of biodiversity and saved threatened species from extinction
• ended deforestation
• put a stop to poaching and trafficking of protected species
• ended overfishing and significantly reduces the pollution of our oceans
• created an economy that grows without damaging the environment

WWF-India clearly believes that Resilient economies and poverty eradication can only be achieved by safeguarding the environment, protecting the ecosystems that sustain human well-being and mitigating climate change and its impacts.

Poverty eradication, changing unsustainable and promoting sustainable patterns of consumption and production and protecting and managing the natural resource base of economic and social development are the overarching objectives of and essential requirements for sustainable development. All these are also crucial for India also to develop sustainably and remove disparity and bring about pro poor and inclusive growth.  All stakeholders besides the governments like the civil society, the private sector, and others, are also key contributors to the realisation of the new agenda. While the SDGs are not legally binding, governments are expected to take ownership and establish national frameworks for the achievement of the 17 Goals.  

Environmental changes affect us all, especially the poorest people who are most vulnerable to food and water scarcity, and impacts of climate change. Putting ecosystems at the centre of development planning and managing natural resources in fair and accountable ways will bring economic and social benefits and ensure food, water and energy security for all.

India has 21 eco-regions with rich biodiversity and a vast proportion of tribal population heavily dependent on forests for subsistence. Challenges such as loss of biodiversity and marine resources, degradation of ecosystems and climate change will have adverse impact on the economy as agriculture and allied activities (livestock, fisheries and forestry) contribute to 17% of GDP.

As a UN member nation, and also as a nation aiming at faster and inclusive growth, India has substantial reasons to fulfill its commitment and achieve the SDGs through effective implementation of its policies, plans and programmes, which also address the global commitments.  

WWF-India aims at create awareness about the SDGs relating to natural ecosystems and support the integration of the relevant SDG goals and targets in the plans and schemes of the centre and state governments.