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The world is significantly behind schedule in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations in 2015, according to a new UN report. These goals, which encompass a wide range of areas including poverty reduction, hunger eradication, and environmental protection, were intended to be achieved by 2030.
The report from the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) painted a bleak picture of progress towards the SDGs, with none of the 17 goals on track to be met by 2030.
Released just before the UN Summit of the Future in September 2024, the paper cautioned that a “business as usual” approach will not suffice and called for a major overhaul. It also made recommendations for United Nations 2.0 as a contribution to the upcoming summit.
The report’s findings reveal a world far behind schedule on its sustainability goals. Only 16 per cent of SDG targets are progressing well, with the rest showing limited progress or even regression.
The situation is particularly concerning for zero hunger (SDG 2), sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), life below water (SDG 14), life on land (SDG 15), and peace, justice and strong institutions (SDG 16).
Specific setbacks like rising obesity rates, declining press freedom, and loss of biodiversity were underlined by the SDSN. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated existing challenges, particularly impacting life expectancy (SDG 3).
While Nordic countries continue to lead in SDG achievement and BRICS countries (Brazil, the Russian Federation, India, China, and South Africa) show some progress, least developed nations are falling further behind. The gap between these groups has widened significantly since 2015. Since 2015, average SDG progress in BRICS and BRICS+ (Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) has outpaced the global average.
The report identified a critical need to reform the global financial architecture. Achieving sustainable development requires significant investment in public goods that transcend national borders. Low and middle-income countries urgently need access to affordable long-term capital to invest in areas like education (SDG 4) which are crucial for progress
SDSN proposed five strategies to address financing shortfalls, including new institutions, innovative global taxation schemes, and a shift in priorities towards investments like quality education.
The report introduced a new index of countries’ support for UN-based multilateralism. It examined countries’ engagement with the UN system, including treaty ratification, votes in the UN General Assembly, membership in UN organisations, involvement in conflicts and militarisation, use of unilateral sanctions, and financial contributions to the UN.
The index revealed a clear correlation between a country’s commitment to global cooperation and its progress on SDGs.
Barbados leads the list, with the United States ranking last, highlighting a significant disconnect from the international community on these critical issues. Following Barbados in the top five are Antigua and Barbuda, Uruguay, Mauritius, and the Maldives. Along with the US, the lowest-ranked countries include Somalia, South Sudan, Israel, and the Democratic Republic of Korea.
The report also discussed challenges in food and land systems (SDG 2). With 600 million people still expected to be hungry by 2030, combined with rising obesity and unsustainable agricultural practices, a new approach is required.
Current trends are increasing the gap between our climate, biodiversity and water quality targets, the report said. Although existing commitments by countries would help, they are not enough. Significant progress requires major changes through FABLE pathways: 1) reduce overconsumption and limit animal-based protein while respecting cultural preferences; 2) invest in increasing productivity, especially in high-demand areas; and 3) create inclusive and transparent monitoring systems to stop deforestation.
The report urged world leaders to embrace urgent reform of the UN, address financing shortfalls, strengthen global cooperation, and implement innovative solutions like the FABLE pathways. The future of sustainable development hangs in the balance.
