Seventeen Goals to Save the World

The Sustainable Development Goals are a plan to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. These goals address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, peace, and justice. Given the interconnected nature of these goals and to ensure that no one is left behind, it is important to achieve each goal by 2030. Click on any specific goal below to learn more about what the college offers for each goal.

Introduction

Globally, the number of people living in extreme poverty decreased from 36% in 1990 to 10% in 2015. However, the pace of change is slowing, and the COVID-19 crisis risks reversing decades of progress in poverty reduction. New research published by the United Nations University’s World Institute for Development Economics Research warns of the economic repercussions of the global pandemic, which could increase global poverty by up to half a billion people, or 8% of the total population.

Introduction

After decades of steady decline, the number of people suffering from hunger—measured by the prevalence of undernourishment—began to slowly rise again in 2015. Today, over 820 million people regularly go to bed hungry, including approximately 135 million who experience acute hunger largely due to human-made conflicts, climate change, and economic downturns.

Introduction

Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being at all ages is essential to achieving sustainable development.

The world is currently facing an unprecedented global health crisis. Due to COVID-19, human suffering is widespread, the global economy is destabilized, and the lives of billions of people around the world are turned upside down.

Introduction

Education enables upward social and economic mobility and is an important means of escaping poverty. Over the past decade, significant progress has been made toward facilitating access to education and improving enrollment rates at all levels, particularly for girls. However, approximately 260 million children were still out of school in 2018, representing nearly one-fifth of the world’s population in that age group. Furthermore, more than half of children and adolescents worldwide do not meet minimum proficiency standards in reading and mathematics.

Introduction

Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right but also a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. Progress has been made over the past decades: more girls are attending school, fewer girls are forced into early marriage, a greater number of women are serving in parliament and leadership positions, and laws are being reformed to promote gender equality.

Introduction

While significant progress has been made in increasing access to clean drinking water and sanitation, billions of people—mostly in rural areas—still lack these essential services. Globally, one in three people does not have access to safe drinking water, two in five people lack basic handwashing facilities with soap and water, and more than 673 million people practice open defecation.

Introduction

The world is making progress toward this goal, with encouraging signs that energy is becoming more sustainable and widely available. Access to electricity is accelerating in poorer countries, energy efficiency continues to improve, and renewable energy is achieving remarkable gains in the electricity sector.

Introduction

Sustainable and inclusive economic growth can drive progress, create decent jobs for all, and improve living standards. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted billions of lives and jeopardized the global economy. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts a severe global recession similar to or worse than the 2009 recession. As job losses continue to rise, the International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that nearly half of the global workforce is at risk of losing their livelihoods.

Introduction

A comprehensive and sustainable approach to manufacturing, alongside innovation and infrastructure, can unleash dynamic and competitive economic forces that generate job and income opportunities. This approach plays a key role in introducing and promoting new technologies, facilitating international trade, and enabling the efficient use of resources.

Introduction

Reducing inequalities and ensuring that no one is left behind is an integral part of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Inequality within and between countries is a persistent cause for concern. Despite some positive signals toward reducing disparities in certain dimensions—such as diminishing relative income inequality in some countries and benefiting low-income countries through preferential trade—inequality still persists.

Introduction

Urbanization is on the rise worldwide. Since 2007, more than half of the global population has been living in cities, and this percentage is expected to increase to 60% by 2030. Cities and urban areas are powerhouses of economic growth, contributing approximately 60% of the global GDP. However, they are also responsible for about 70% of global carbon emissions and more than 60% of resource consumption.

Introduction

The impact of unsustainable consumption and production patterns has devastating effects on the planet. Economic and social progress over the past century has been accompanied by environmental degradation that threatens the very systems upon which our future development—and indeed our survival—depends.

Introduction

The year 2019 was the second hottest year on record and marked the end of the hottest decade ever recorded (2010-2019) in terms of temperature. Levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere reached new record highs in 2019.

Introduction

The nature of ocean operations encompasses global systems that make Earth habitable for humans. Oceans provide and regulate rainfall, drinking water, weather, climate, coastlines, much of our food, and even the oxygen we breathe through the seas.

Introduction

Nature is vital for our survival: it provides us with oxygen, regulates weather patterns, pollinates our crops, and produces food, fodder, and fibers. However, nature is under increasing pressure. Human activity has altered about 75% of the Earth’s surface, squeezing wildlife and nature into an ever-decreasing corner of the planet.

Introduction

Human rights place people at the center of concern. Responses that shape and respect human rights lead to better outcomes in overcoming crises, ensuring healthcare for all, and maintaining essential resources.

Introduction

The Sustainable Development Goals can only be achieved through strong global partnerships and cooperation.

A successful development agenda requires inclusive partnerships at the global, regional, national, and local levels, based on principles and values, and a shared vision and common goals that put people and the planet at the center of attention. Many countries need official development assistance to encourage growth and trade. However, levels of aid are declining, and donor countries have not fulfilled their commitments to increase development funding.