SDG – Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goals: Goals, Plans & Implementation until 2030
A world “free from poverty, hunger and disease, fear and violence” – the Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs for short, follow a grand vision.
A total of 17 goals are to be implemented by 2030, which were formulated by the UN (United Nations) in September 2015. Further 169 sub-goals specify the plan to combat extreme poverty and improve environmental protection, health, sustainability and equality around the world.
Millennium Development Goals vs. Sustainable Development Goals
The Millennium Development Goals, or MDGs, were the predecessors of the SDGs. In September 2000, representatives of 189 countries agreed on the eight Millennium Development Goals at the largest United Nations summit to date. These were still mainly related to social aspects, including the fight against hunger, poverty and disease; they were to be achieved by 2015.
In the 15 years that the MDGs have been pursued, great progress has been made and the living conditions of millions of people have improved. However, these goals were designed merely to “reduce global poverty by half” (cf.https://www.publichealthnotes.com/mdgs-vs-sdgs-17-differences/) and were mainly concerned with the problems of developing countries. In addition, not all projects could be fully implemented.
Adopted in 2015, the new Sustainable Development Goals undertakings now build on the insights, success and lessons learned from the MDGs. The SDGs have many more goals and are designed to address a much wider range.
The UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals
In September 2015, the UN Open Working Group (OWG) set a total of 17 in-depth goals to be implemented by 2030. That is why the SDGs are also called Agenda 2030. The goal-setting process involved 70 nations and included social organizations, scientists and academics, and the private sector, in addition to 193 countries.
Achievement of the SDG targets in 2022
In 2022, we will almost reach the halfway point for implementing the 2030 Agenda. Since the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, important progress has already been made worldwide: Poverty reduction, maternal and child health, gender equality and access to electricity have been successfully advanced.
Nevertheless, there have also been setbacks due to the Covid 19 pandemic as well as the war in Ukraine and the accompanying global political conflicts.
The 2030 Agenda in Switzerland
Already in the summer of 2021, the Swiss Federal Council adopted its new “Sustainable Development 2030” strategy, reaffirming its commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Nevertheless, Switzerland continues to face numerous challenges.
In concrete terms, this means for Switzerland’s goals:
- Economic prosperity is to be maintained in Switzerland. However, the overexploitation of natural resources must be counteracted.
- Switzerland must reduce greenhouse gas emissions, cut energy consumption and use energy more efficiently, and further expand renewable energies.
- In addition, Switzerland strives for equal opportunities and the promotion of self-determination and wants to ensure complete equality between women and men.
The Country Report 2022 on Agenda 2030 shows that sustainable development is a central guiding political principle at all levels of government in Switzerland. The federal system offers great opportunities to support and live diversity. The goals are not only to be advanced at the state level, but require the commitment of all actors; including the cantons, municipalities, private sector, civil society and academia.
State governments, private sector & civil society: Only together the sustainable development goals can be achieved
The government, as well as the economy, can usually bring in the most financial resources and thus overcome larger financial hurdles when it comes to projects and ventures that pursue the sustainable development goals.
However, the state government and private industry cannot shoulder the financial burden alone. Also the Philanthropy, the country’s nonprofit sector, plays an important role in achieving the goals. NPOs and NGOs such as charitable foundations and fundraisers not only bring urgently needed donations to the projects. They also illustrate that civil society and businesses take the Sustainable Development Goals seriously and are committed to them.
In order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, the commitment of all sectors is required: Only a cooperation between the cantons and municipalities, the economy, society, science and every person will ultimately lead to the desired results. Sustainable development is a task for society as a whole.
Selected organizations with SDGs
How do project owner & grant giving foundations advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals?
State governments, private sector & civil society: Only together can the Sustainable Development Goals be achieved The SDGs include clearly defined targets as well as a guideline and measurable indicators. In doing so, they allow fundraisers, researchers, and all actors working on the SDGs to collect data and actively monitor and share progress. Transparency and communication are thereby increased for all parties.
For civil society, Private individuals and all donors, the Sustainable Development Goals offer a new incentive to quickly identify and support appropriate projects and organizations. In this way, the goals that are close to everyone’s heart can be pursued together.
SDGs at StiftungSchweiz
StiftungSchweiz, the largest swiss philanthropy platform, also features numerous non-profit organizations, projects, associations and foundations whose work support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. For example, they work to end poverty or find sustainable solutions for animals and nature, actively contributing to the SDGs.
To highlight this work and increase transparency for all players, StiftungSchweiz now offers the possibility to add the SDG icons to all portraits. NPOs and foundations on our platform can thus communicate their participation in the achievement of global goals and at the same time offer donors a visual orientation. That way, everyone gets to their destination faster! Together we achieve more.
Do you want to add the SDG icons to your portrait? Then follow our instructions at StiftungSchweiz .
AUTHOR
Claire de Trey-Freymond
Claire de Trey-Freymond is responsible for product development at StiftungSchweiz . She writes on topics related to the foundation world and philanthropy.
