Quality Insights, Volume 8 English | An in-depth look at the UN SDGs Page 1 of 2

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint
for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and in the future.

At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries –
developed and developing – in a global partnership.

They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and
education, reduce inequality and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our
oceans and forests.

The SDGs build on decades of work by countries and the UN.

Goal 4: Quality education

Ensure inclusive and equitable, quality education and
The SDGs are the blueprint for achieving a better
promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
and more sustainable future for all. They address
global challenges. 
Key stat – over 617 million children and adolescents
lack minimum proficiency in reading and
mathematics.
Goal 1: No poverty 
End poverty in all its forms, everywhere.
Goal 5: Gender equality
Key stat – more than 700 million people still live in
extreme poverty.
girls.

Achieve gender equality and empower women and

Key stat – one in three women has experienced

Goal 2: Zero hunger
End hunger, achieve food security and improved
physical and/or sexual violence. 
nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation
Key stat – a third of the world’s food is wasted yet
Ensure availability and sustainable management of
821 million people are undernourished.
water and sanitation for all.
Key stat – water scarcity affects more than 40% of
Goal 3: Good health and well-being the world’s population.
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all,
at all ages.
Key stat – vaccinations resulted in an 80% drop in
deaths from measles between 2000 and 2017.

Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
Key stat – three billion people still lack clean cooking fuels and technologies.

Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive
employment, and decent work for all.
Key stat – a fifth of young people are not in education, employment or training.

Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and
foster innovation.
Key stat – roads, water, sanitation and electricity remain scarce in many developing
countries.

Goal 10: Reduced inequalities

Reduce inequality within and among countries.
Key stat – the poorest 40% of the population earn less than 25% of global income.

Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
Key stat – 9 out of 10 urban residents breathe polluted air.

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https://www.qualityinsights.sgs.com/magazine/qualityinsightsvol8-2-2-2-2/un-sdgs/ 13/10/2021
Quality Insights, Volume 8 English | An in-depth look at the UN SDGs Page 2 of 2

Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Key stat – by 2050, the equivalent of almost three planets could be required to sustain
current lifestyles.

Goal 13: Climate action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Key stat – global CO2 emissions have increased by almost 50% since 1990.

Goal 14: Life below water

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine sources for sustainable
development.
Key stat – over three billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their
livelihoods.

Goal 15: Life on land

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably
manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and
biodiversity loss.
Key stat – forests are home to more than 80% of all terrestrial species of animals,
plants and insects.

Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access
to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
Key stat – in 2018, the number of people fleeing war, persecution and conflict exceeded
70 million.

Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for
sustainable development.
Key stat – achieving the SDGs could open up USD 12 trillion of market opportunities
and create 380 million new jobs by 2030.

Investors demand quality ESG information when choosing where to invest. There are massive benefits to improving your ESG information, and 80% of

organizations worldwide now report on sustainability. This rises to 96% among the
Although not legally binding, the SDGs are an interconnected framework for
world’s 250 largest organizations (G250).

organizations to report their impact and drive capital to contribute to achieving the
goals. They can help to shape, communicate and report an organization’s strategies, The benefits include:
goals and activities. 
• Increased recognition, trust and credibility
From this, organizations can identify and enhance the value of corporate responsibility • Reduced risk and greater value
and stakeholder relations, including regulatory requirements and helping to stabilize • Improved Board and C-level engagement
society and markets to use a common language and shared purpose. • Strengthened internal reporting and management systems
• Improved stakeholder communications

We are seeing demand for UN SDG Assurance to verify how organizations use the
SDGs.

With over 25 years of sustainability experience, our ESG Assurance Solutions can help you to mitigate supply chain risks,
implement better processes, address stakeholder concerns and accomplish sustainability goals.

Leveraging our expertise in compliance, verification and training services, we create solutions tailored to your specific
requirements, including support with achieving and reporting on the SDGs.

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https://www.qualityinsights.sgs.com/magazine/qualityinsightsvol8-2-2-2-2/un-sdgs/ 13/10/2021