News | Wednesday, 8th February 2023

Global crises have delayed sustainable development goals – now the world must respond

University researcher outlines recommendations in new European Parliament report

Sustainable Development Goals are part of the United Nation's Agenda 2030
Sustainable Development Goals are part of the United Nation's Agenda 2030

Global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine have led to sustainable development goals (SDGs) being delayed or reversed, which could add to the challenges they are designed to address, says a new report.

In the report, published by the European Parliament, a Manchester Met researcher outline a series of recommendations for the global community if it is to implement the 17 SDGs that are part the United Nation’s Agenda 2030.

SDGs are a collection of linked objectives to serve as a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity across the world.

They were formulated in 2015 by the United Nations’ General Assembly, with each goal having a specific target and indicators to measure progress.

However, in ‘Achieving the UN Agenda 2030: Overall actions for the successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals before and after the 2030 deadline’, researchers are warning that the world’s focus on recent global crises has created a critical moment for the implementation of SDGs.

Walter Leal, Professor of Environment and Technology at Manchester Metropolitan University and joint author of the report, said: “SDGs should be a common language for the global community as the 17 goals of the 2030 Agenda are aimed at everyone, from states to individual citizens.

“Even though much has been achieved in recent years, there are major challenges for the future. Our report outlines the progress made so far and sets out a series of comprehensive recommendations for the European Union, which is perfectly placed to lead the global community in turning crises into renewed momentum for SDGs.”

Amongst the recommendations, researchers call for targeted cooperation within the EU and globally to enable the transformation of economies towards sustainable development.

Greater emphasis is needed from the EU on the implementation of the SDGs within its regions as well as a strengthening of support for other countries around the world, say researchers.

Professor Leal added: “The years to come will be crucial for defining the future process of implementing the UN’s Agenda 2030. The upcoming UN Climate Change COPs (Conference of the Parties) in 2023 and 2024 are expected to influence the process of SDGs implementation so a renewed focus on the best ways to progress in each area is needed.

“Notwithstanding the importance of planning the actions for sustainability after 2030, the global community should act now and put all necessary efforts in motion to fulfilling global commitments to sustainability by 2030.”

Professor Leal co-authored the report with Dr Kalterina Shulla at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences for the European Parliament's Committee on Development (DEVE).

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