Defining Strategies to Achieve U.N. Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, the United Nations (U.N.) introduced the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was built around a framework of 17 interconnected objectives known as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This blueprint sets a path toward a more equitable and sustainable world. However, achieving these goals by 2030 requires aggressive strategic planning built on a foundation of intelligent insight. 

Here’s an overview of the 17 SDGs, along with an explainer about why real-time insight is so critical to achieving them. 

The 17 U.N. Sustainable Development Goals

1. No Poverty

   The coronavirus pandemic, climate change, and conflict pose threats to global poverty levels. This U.N. SDG sets the objective of eradicating extreme poverty, which is defined as living on less than $1.25 per day.

2. Zero Hunger

   Approximately 720 to 811 million people around the world are undernourished. Goal 2 aims to end hunger, improve nutrition, encourage sustainable agriculture, and increase food security.

3. Good Health & Well-Being

   Across ages and genders, health is essential. This objective defines targets to lower mortality rates, end epidemics, improve access to healthcare, and more.

4. Quality Education

   Educational disparities have far-reaching implications, affecting gender equality, poverty, and other social issues. This SDG addresses equitable education for children and adults.

5. Gender Equality

   Women face widespread inequality, including discrimination, violence, child marriage, unpaid work, and underrepresentation in decision-making. This goal aims to level the playing field.

6. Clean Water & Sanitation

   In 2020, 2 billion people did not have safely managed drinking water, and 3.6 billion people lacked safely managed sanitation, posing significant risks to human and environmental health. Goal 6 aims to improve access to safe drinking water and equitable sanitation while protecting water-related ecosystems.

7. Affordable Clean Energy

   More than 750 million people do not have access to electricity. This objective focuses on expanding renewable energy and ensuring universal access to affordable services.

8. Decent Work & Economic Growth

   Unemployment and informal jobs without sufficient social protections increase the risk of poverty. Goal 8 focuses on improving economic growth and productivity while supporting workers through relevant protections.

9. Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure

   Global manufacturing plummeted as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, leading to renewed efforts to expand industry and infrastructure sustainability. Resilience, inclusivity, and innovation are at the heart of this objective.

10. Reduced Inequalities

    Inequality in income, inclusion, legislation, migration, and other areas put citizens of developing countries at a distinct disadvantage. Addressing inequalities within and between countries can improve lives.

11. Sustainable Cities & Communities

    This goal aims to make human settlements safer, more sustainable, and more inclusive through public transportation, public spaces, affordable housing and services, development planning, and environmental protection.

12. Responsible Consumption & Production

    Production and consumption take a heavy toll on the environment. Focusing on responsible, sustainable practices can lessen the impact.

13. Climate Action

    The climate crisis poses major threats to humanity, necessitating an urgent response. SDG 13 defines five targets to combat climate change.

14. Life Below Water

    Oceans are under threat due to plastic pollution, warming, eutrophication, acidification, and fishery collapse. To protect this vital resource, this objective targets preservation of marine and coastal ecosystems.

15. Life on Land

    Goal 15 focuses on preserving terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands. It also aims to protect species of flora and fauna. 

16. Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions

    To promote peace, this objective proposes reducing violence, abuse, exploitation, organized crime, and corruption, while also ensuring fair laws and policies with equal access to justice.

17. Partnerships for the Goals

    Particularly for developing countries, achieving sustainability objectives requires partnerships and resources. This goal promotes international support and cooperation. 

Why Do Leaders Need Real-Time Insight to Achieve the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals?

The U.N. SDGs are ambitious objectives, so meeting them requires careful planning. However, without the right information, policy implementation may be haphazard and not targeted enough to satisfy citizens while making essential changes. 

Real-time insight provides a window into what’s happening in a global society. By understanding the day-to-day lives of people, informed decisions can be made that not only help achieve the U.N. SDGs but wield a true, lasting impact.

The lag in results from traditional research methods such as surveys can slow down the process. Modern, AI-based solutions offer a faster means of gathering information, thereby helping maintain the quick pace necessary to achieve U.N. SDGs by 2030. 

Citibeats collects, aggregates, and analyzes unstructured data from social media, forums, blogs, and other public sources to provide actionable insight within minutes. Meeting the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals requires understanding your current position, monitoring progress, and taking necessary actions. Through our state-of-the-art, ethical AI platform, we can equip you with the data you need to make informed decisions quickly.

In addition to guiding your efforts related to meeting the U.N. SDGs, Citibeats’ customer solutions also address other major issues, including gender equality, sustainability, vaccines, and more. 

Schedule a demo to see how insight from the Citibeats platform can steer your progress toward meeting U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.