World Not On Track To Achieve Most SDGs By 2030

Relevance: GS2 - Issue Related to Development; GS3 - Indian Economy and Issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, Growth and Development; Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.

(Source: The Hindu, 10/18/2023)

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Why in the news?

• Recently, leaders from the world gathered in New York for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit 2023 and reaffirmed their commitment to eradicate poverty and end hunger but expressed concern about the lack of progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• It was recognised that the world was on track to meet only 15% of its 169 targets that make up the 17 goals.

Key Highlights of the SDGs Summit 2023

• During the High-level SDG Summit in New York, leaders endorsed a strong political declaration, reiterating their commitment to achieving sustainability and inclusivity by 2030.
• They acknowledged the increasing annual funding gap for SDGs, which has grown from $2.5 trillion before the pandemic to an estimated $4.2 trillion.
• The declaration also emphasized the full implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and stressed the importance of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda in financing the SDGs within the 2030 Agenda.
  • Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030): It was the first major international agreement post-2015 and is the next step from Hyogo Framework (2005-15) for concrete steps for protecting development gains from disasters. It talks of 4 priorities for actions and 7 global targets.
  • Addis Ababa Action agenda: In 2015, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda had emphasized on efficient use of all financial flows, both public and private, for sustainable development and the need for integrated national financing frameworks.
• An SDG stimulus is proposed by the UN Secretary- General that would significantly increase funding for SDG implementation by $500 billion annually.

What are Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

• The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 goals with 169 targets that all 193 UN member states have agreed to try to achieve by 2030.
• It was established by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• It addresses various interconnected challenges, including poverty, education, health, gender equality, clean energy, and environmental protection.
• The SDGs provide a holistic framework for governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and individuals to work together towards a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable world.
• SDGs are a matter of urgency, and actions by all countries, both developed and developing, to end poverty and other socio-economic and environmental problems should align with these strategies.

What are the challenges related to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

• Lack of Funding: The 2023 UN report identified a $4 trillion investment gap in developing countries for the SDGs, a 70% increase from 2014. Approximately $2 trillion is required for the energy transition alone. This lack of funding poses a substantial challenge to achieving the goals.
• Inadequate Progress: Many SDGs, particularly those related to biodiversity protection and greenhouse gas emissions, are not making the desired progress. Leaders are concerned about the slow pace of change and the possibility of some goals regressing.
• Dis-Synergies: The Agenda 2030 highlights the interconnection of the 17 SDGs, and academic literature explores synergies and trade-offs among them.
  • A 2019 paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences identified five (dis)synergies related to resource allocation, enabling environments, co-benefits, cost-effectiveness, and saturation limits based on pilot studies in Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Malawi. However, such quantifications and empirical evidence are limited.
• Political and Economic Barriers: A recent UN Expert Group Report on 'Synergy Solutions for a World in Crisis' addresses the lack of synergistic action and identifies barriers related to knowledge, politics, institutions, and economics.
• Funding Prioritization: In the case of India, the misalignment between renewable energy targets and the scale of applications needed can hinder progress. This is an example of how funding priorities can be a challenge.
• Investment in High-Carbon Sources: Some countries, including India, continue to invest in high-carbon energy sources due to security and reliability concerns, which can hinder progress toward climate and SDG goals.
• Full Cost Estimation: Exploiting domestic energy resources without a full cost estimation, including climate-change vulnerability, can lead to detrimental outcomes for both national and global efforts.
• Reporting Frameworks: Establishing reporting frameworks that capture the value created from specific SDG interventions can be challenging, especially when adapting existing literature to local contexts.

How has India performed on several SDG parameters?

• SDG 1 (No Poverty): According to the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), a total of 415 million people moved out of poverty in India within just 15 years from 2005-2006 to 2019-21.
• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): According to the Niti Aayog’s report, a staggering 13.5 crore people successfully emerged from multidimensional poverty between 2016 and 2021. This progress was mirrored in a decline of 9.89 percentage points in the number of multidimensionally poor people, dropping from 24.85% in 2015-16 to 14.96% in 2019-21.
  • In the 2023 Global Hunger Index, India ranks 111th out of the 125 countries.
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): A WHO report titled ‘Improving maternal and newborn health and survival and reducing stillbirth progress report 2023’, observed that India’s share of the total maternal and newborn deaths and stillbirths was about 17%.
• SDG 4 (Quality Education): The literacy rate in India has steadily increased over the years, with the latest figures estimating a literacy rate of around 77%. This is a positive indication of the quality of education being imparted in schools across the country.
• SDG 5 (Gender Equality): India had closed 64.3% of the overall gender gap. India is now ranked 127 out of 146 nations in terms of gender parity, up from 135 last year, according to the annual Gender Gap Report, 2023.
• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): The Indian government has implemented several initiatives to work towards achieving SDG 6 like Swachh Bharat Mission and Jal Jeevan Mission, which has been instrumental in driving awareness and initiatives to eliminate open defecation, improve sanitation infrastructure, and promote hygiene behaviors.
• SDG 7 (Renewable Energy): India has committed to a goal of 500 GW renewable energy capacity by 2030. India stands 4th globally in Renewable Energy Installed Capacity (including Large Hydro), 4th in Wind Power capacity & 4th in Solar Power capacity (as per Renewables 2022 Global Status Report).

What are the Recommendations?

• Recognize the Interconnectedness: Acknowledge that the SDGs are interconnected, and actions in one area can have positive or negative impacts on others. Policymakers should consider these interconnections in decision-making processes.
• Quantify Synergies and Trade-offs: Quantify and analyze the synergies and trade-offs between different SDGs to make more informed policy decisions. Policymakers encounter evident contradictions and trade-offs when pursuing these goals.
  • For instance, pursuing economic growth in SDG8 might hinder progress on the climate action in SDG13, as industrialization introduces new pollutants contrary to environmental goals.
• Leveraging Data: Data collection and monitoring play a pivotal role in SDG tracking by providing essential information for progress evaluation, challenge identification, and informed decision-making. They empower countries to pinpoint areas requiring attention and are a cornerstone for governments to allocate resources efficiently to address pressing issues.
• Adaptable Strategies: The dynamic nature of global challenges requires flexible strategies. Countries may need to periodically reassess their priorities based on evolving circumstances and emerging issues.
• Align Targets and Deliverables: Ensure that targets and deliverables are aligned across different government departments and agencies.
• Economic Considerations: Recognize the economic aspect of sustainable development. Investing in clean energy and other sustainable practices can lead to economic benefits, such as improved air quality and human health, as well as job creation.
• Reporting and Transparency: Develop clear reporting frameworks for SDG interventions. Entities engaged in SDG reporting should identify and report on the value created from specific interventions. This can help track progress and identify areas for improvement.
• Global Cooperation: As countries prioritize SDGs, international cooperation remains crucial. Collaboration and information sharing facilitate shared learning, uniting nations in the pursuit of sustainable development.

Conclusion

Prioritizing specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is not just a strategic choice; it's becoming increasingly essential, given the current trajectory, which suggests that achieving all seventeen goals is at risk. By focusing on particular goals that align with local contexts and needs, resources and efforts can be channeled where they will have the most impact, effectively advancing the cause of sustainable development.

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FAQs

MCQ

Question: Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2016)

1. The Sustainable Development Goals were first proposed in 1972 by a global think tank called the ‘Club of Rome’.
2. The Sustainable Development Goals have to be achieved by 2030.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2