Aug 11, 2024
Sustainable Development Goals
The 17 Goals Shaping Our World
Today, it is an undeniable reality that sustainability and development issues are gaining more and more importance at the global level, but what is the foundation of the efforts we are making in this regard?
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015 provide us with a foundation on these important issues.
What are the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and why are they so critical?
In this article, we will answer these questions.
What Are the Sustainable Development Goals?
The Sustainable Development Goals represent 17 targets aimed at addressing social, economic, and environmental issues worldwide. The UN aims to achieve these targets and make the world a fairer, healthier, and more sustainable place.
These targets include eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, and promoting the use of clean energy. These goals aim to create significant changes globally by 2030.
The Beginning and Purpose of Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals emerged as world leaders, civil society organizations, and business representatives came together to make our planet a more livable place. The main goal of these targets is to ensure that economic growth goes beyond a profit-driven approach and aligns with social and environmental sustainability.
The Necessity of Sustainability for Companies
The sustainable development goals concern not only countries but also companies. The finances, waste management, employment, growth, contraction, and stagnation of countries are significantly shaped by the companies operating within them. Companies are required to comply with these goals, and embracing and implementing sustainability principles is a necessity. This not only fulfills the company's social responsibility but also provides a competitive advantage for long-term success. We can clearly see this now, such as the obligation for companies to calculate their carbon footprint...
In many countries, there are also legal sanctions against companies that do not comply with sustainability standards. Moreover, there is a clear requirement for companies exporting to Europe to report all their sustainability processes.
17 Goals
End Poverty
Strive to eradicate poverty and ensure everyone can live with dignity. This goal is a fundamental step for a just world, as reducing poverty is the key to a sustainable society.
End Hunger
Eliminate hunger, ensure food security, and promote sustainable agriculture. Fighting hunger lays the foundation for a healthy population and economic development, while also increasing the resilience of societies.
Health and Well-Being
Ensure everyone has a healthy life and promote health services suitable for all age groups. The health and well-being goal enhances social welfare and is directly linked to education and economic success.
Quality Education
Increase access to educational opportunities, ensure equality, and promote quality education. Education allows individuals to realize their potential and makes societies stronger, more knowledgeable, and fairer.
Gender Equality
Ensure gender equality, promote women's empowerment, and combat gender norms. Gender equality is fundamental to a just society; women's participation contributes to more sustainable societies.
Clean Water and Sanitation
Increase access to clean water sources and improve hygiene and sanitation. Clean water is a fundamental resource for health, agriculture, and industry, and this goal emphasizes the sustainable management of water resources.
Affordable and Clean Energy
Increase access to clean and sustainable energy sources and promote energy efficiency. Clean energy plays a key role in combating climate change and is essential for ensuring energy security.
Decent Work and Economic Growth
Promote economic growth, create job opportunities, and support sustainable industrial infrastructure. Economic growth is the key to social development and prosperity, but this goal emphasizes sustainability.
Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Promote innovation, improve infrastructure, and invest in sustainable industrial processes. Innovation and infrastructure development strengthen the competitiveness of societies and lay the foundations for a sustainable future.
Reduced Inequalities
Reduce income inequalities and rectify disparities between countries. Combating inequality enhances social stability and is the key to sustainable development.
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Promote sustainable urban areas, enhance the quality of life for people. Cities and communities play a key role in achieving sustainability goals and reducing environmental impacts.
Responsible Consumption and Production
Promote sustainable consumption and production, use resources more efficiently. Responsible consumption and production ensure the sustainable management of natural resources and reduce the environmental footprint.
Climate Action
Combat climate change, reduce carbon emissions, and promote environmental sustainability. Climate action is crucial for the future of our planet, as climate change triggers many problems.
Life Below Water
Protect marine and freshwater ecosystems, promote sustainable fishing. Protecting water resources is critical for biodiversity sustainability and providing clean water for future generations.
Life on Land
Protect ecosystems, promote biodiversity, and maintain ecosystem services. Biodiversity ensures the healthy and balanced functioning of ecosystems, which is fundamental for humanity's survival.
Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Promote peace and support fair and strong institutions. Peace and fair institutions are the foundation of sustainable development, which is the key to social welfare and security.
Partnerships for the Goals
Promote global cooperation, strengthen partnerships and solidarity. The partnership goals support efforts to find solutions to global problems through international cooperation and emphasize that sustainability is based on a global effort.
Where does CarbonSmart fit into this, what will CarbonSmart do, you might ask… Here is CarbonSmart:
CarbonSmart is here to assist companies required to implement all these goals in their carbon footprint management processes.
What does CarbonSmart do?
It provides technological solutions that enable you to manage and reduce your carbon footprint in accordance with the legal requirements and standards.
For detailed information about our solutions, you can contact us.