What role do the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) serve?

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) serve primarily to align sustainability practices with social and environmental progress. The SDGs, established in 2015, comprise 17 interconnected global goals designed to address a wide range of issues, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice. By providing a framework for countries, businesses, and organizations, the SDGs encourage the integration of sustainable practices into their strategies and operations, fostering an approach that not only aims for economic growth but also ensures that social and environmental considerations are prioritized.

The framework emphasizes collaborative efforts towards achieving a sustainable future, which involves stakeholders from diverse sectors, including government, civil society, and the private sector. This collective approach promotes the idea that sustainability is not merely an isolated concept but a critical component of a broader vision for economic, social, and environmental health. Thus, the SDGs facilitate an understanding of how efforts toward sustainability contribute to achieving equitable and just outcomes for society as a whole.