The SDGs are 17 challenges whose purpose is to eradicate poverty, protect the planet and guarantee that all people in the world, without distinction, enjoy peace and prosperity. These offer a unique opportunity to put the world on the path to more prosperous and sustainable development.
COVID-19 and the SDGs
Before the pandemic, the SDGs had 2030 as the target date for their fulfillment, however, now COVID-19 and the SDGs may not be in sync to achieve each of the challenges. We tell you what a recent report showed in this regard.
COVID-19 and the SDGs: Report
As we move towards a crucial decade of action to make serious progress on sustainability, many hope that the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic downturn will serve to reset our priorities towards a greener future in line with the SDGs.
However, many experts are not Ecuador Mobile Number List optimistic about the possibility of an ecological recovery . According to a new report assessing SDG progress by GlobeScan and ERM's The SustainAbility Institute :
More than half of sustainability professionals believe that COVID-19 will instead slow the rate of progress towards achieving the SDGs.
Report.
Data from Greenbiz says the research results also show that sustainability professionals continue to report poor progress towards each of the 17 goals, as well as on sustainable development in general.
How was the research on COVID-19 and the SDGs carried out?
The study was carried out with almost 500 professionals with experience in sustainability in 75 countries. They were asked to:
They will evaluate the progress that has been achieved in sustainable development in general and in each SDG.
They will rank the relative urgency of each objective.
Share knowledge about priorities within your own organizations.
Respond to how the pandemic will affect progress on the SDGs.
COVID-19 and the SDGs
Notably, the survey also tracked expert opinions surveyed in 2017 and 2019.
The results
Progress to date in the overall transition towards sustainable development
When asked to rate progress to date in the overall transition towards sustainable development:
54% of sustainability experts said progress has been poor.
42% gave neutral ratings.
4% are satisfied with the society's achievements so far.
Those with the most negative opinions about progress tend to work in academia and research, with European experts being the most negative.
Negative perceptions of sustainability collectives' experts so far are also evident in their assessments of progress on individual SDGs, with most rating achievements as poor in 10 of the 17 Goals.
COVID-19 and the SDGs
Priorities within organizations
Climate Action (SDG 13) continues to receive the most attention within respondents' own organizations. Climate change is an area of focus for sustainability professionals in almost every region and sector.
Responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) and quality education (SDG 4) are also priorities. However, other relatively urgent Goals, such as Reducing Inequalities (SDG 10) and Life on Earth (SDG 15), receive relatively little attention.
Impact of the pandemic on the SDGs
When asked how the current pandemic and its economic impacts will affect society's progress towards achieving the Goals over the next decade, up to 54% believe the outbreak will impede progress.
Instead, 36% say it will accelerate positive change, while only one in ten say it will make no difference.
lagging SDGs
Experts consider that the SDGs in which society's level of achievement has lagged most behind are:
Life underwater (SDG 14).
Reducing inequalities (SDG 10).
Life on Earth (SDG 5).
The eradication of poverty (SDG 1).
COVID-19 and the SDGs
Proportions of 7 in 10 or more consider progress in these areas to be poor, particularly in reducing inequalities. In contrast, only around a third of experts believe there has been poor progress on Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9) and Partnership for the Goals (SDG 17).
Sustainability experts tend to believe that several goals on which progress has been most unsatisfactory are also the most urgent, which is cause for concern.
COVID-19 pandemic clouds expert views on our progress on the SDGs
As we mentioned earlier, about a third of respondents say the pandemic will serve to accelerate progress toward achieving the goals, perhaps placing their hope in the potential of Green New Deals —a deal that aims to radically change the U.S. economy to fight against climate change while continuing to combat inequality and maintain jobs—or a renewed faith in our potential to collectively solve big challenges like developing vaccines to save humanity. But more than half believe, instead, that the pandemic and its economic impacts will further slow our already dismal progress.
Experts in the services and media sector are more optimistic about the potential impact of the pandemic, while respondents in the academic, research and NGO sectors, along with those based in Latin America and in Africa and the Middle East, They are more prone to pessimism:
Possibly reflecting the limited resources available in many markets that may be diverted from long-term sustainability priorities to meet more immediate needs.
