UN Sustainable Development Report 2024 (GS Paper 3, Economy)
Introduction
The 9th edition of the Sustainable Development Report by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) has sounded a clarion call, indicating that the world is significantly behind schedule in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations in 2015.
This report serves as a critical assessment of global progress towards the SDGs, highlighting key challenges and areas of concern that require immediate attention and action.
Global SDG Progress
Despite initial momentum, only 16% of the SDG targets are on track to be achieved by 2030, marking a substantial gap in progress.
The period since 2020 has seen a stagnation in global SDG progress, particularly in vital areas such as Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Sustainable Cities (SDG 11), Life Below Water (SDG 14), Life on Land (SDG 15), and Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16).
The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated existing challenges, leading to reversals in progress in critical areas like obesity rates, press freedom, sustainable nitrogen management, and life expectancy.
Food and Land Systems
Targets related to food and land systems are significantly off-track, with an estimated 600 million people projected to suffer from hunger by 2030, alongside a rising global obesity epidemic.
Greenhouse gas emissions from Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU) remain a substantial contributor to global emissions, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable practices in these sectors.
Regional Disparities
While Nordic countries lead in SDG achievement, with countries like Finland, Sweden, and Denmark setting the pace, disparities persist.
BRICS and BRICS+ countries have shown faster-than-average progress since 2015, indicating positive momentum in these regions.
However, countries like South Sudan, Central African Republic, and Chad lag behind, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and support to bridge these gaps.
Investment Challenges
Persistent challenges remain in addressing poverty, financial inclusion, education, and child labor.
Approximately 10% of the world's population lives in extreme poverty, with limited access to formal financial services hindering investment opportunities.
The gap in funding for SDGs in low-income countries remains substantial, emphasizing the need for increased financial support and resource mobilization.
Global Cooperation
Introducing a new index to measure countries' support to UN-based multilateralism, the report reflects on countries' engagement with the UN system.
While countries like Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, and Uruguay rank high, showcasing their commitment to global cooperation, others, including the United States, Somalia, and South Sudan, lag behind, highlighting the challenges in fostering multilateral collaboration.
India's Performance
India's 109th rank with an overall score of 64.0 reflects mixed progress in achieving the SDGs.
While there is some success in targets related to poverty alleviation, education, and sustainable consumption, there is room for improvement in other areas.
With around 30% of targets on track or achieved, India needs to accelerate efforts to meet its SDG commitments.
Conclusion
The Sustainable Development Report 2024 serves as a wake-up call, emphasizing the urgent need for coordinated global action to address the complex challenges hindering SDG progress.
It calls for renewed commitment, innovative solutions, and inclusive policies to ensure a sustainable and equitable future for all.
