Short Takes: On MDGs and SDGs

Short Takes: On MDGs and SDGs

UPSC GENERAL STUDIES: PAPER II & III

Table of Content

What is sustainable development?

How are the SDGs different from the MDGs?

Why are the SDGs so broad in comparison to the MDGs?

What are the elements underpinning the SDGs?

Evaluation of progress made by India on MDGs

Challenge in the implementation of SDGs

Aiming at global systemic reform, the first seven Sustainable Development Goals are an extension of the MDGs; goals 8, 9 and 10 cover aspects such as inclusiveness and jobs, infrastructure and industrialisation; and distribution; and the final set of the seven goals lay down the framework for sustainability spanning urbanisation; consumption and production; climate change; resources and environment; peace and justice; and the means of implementation as well as global partnership.

What is sustainable development?

Sustainable development has been defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Sustainable development calls for concerted efforts towards building an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future for people and planet.

For sustainable development to be achieved, it is crucial to harmonize three core elements: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection. These elements are interconnected and all are crucial for the well-being of individuals and societies.

Eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions is an indispensable requirement for sustainable development. To this end, there must be promotion of sustainable, inclusive and equitable economic growth, creating greater opportunities for all, reducing inequalities, raising basic standards of living, fostering equitable social development and inclusion, and promoting integrated and sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystems.

How are the SDGs different from the MDGs?

More Holistic: The 17 SDGs with 169 targets are broader in scope and will go further than the MDGs by addressing the root causes of poverty and the universal need for development that works for all people. The goals will cover the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection.

New & Critical Areas Covered: Building on the success and momentum of the MDGs, the new global goals will cover more ground, with ambitions to address inequalities, economic growth, decent jobs, cities and human settlements, industrialization, oceans, ecosystems, energy, climate change, sustainable consumption and production, peace and justice.

Universal Application: The new SDGs are universal and apply to all countries, whereas the MDGs were intended for action in developing countries only.

Focus on Finance and Implementation:  A core feature of the SDGs is their strong focus on means of implementation—the mobilization of financial resources—capacity-building and technology, as well as data and institutions.

Much required emphasis on Climate Change: The new Goals recognize that tackling climate change is essential for sustainable development and poverty eradication. SDG 13 aims to promote urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Why are the Sustainable Development Goals so broad in 

comparison to the Millennium Development Goals, which were 

very specific?

Complexity of Problems require Broader Goals:

There are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with 169 targets. The complex challenges that exist in the world today demand that a wide range of issues be covered. It is also critical to address the root causes of the problems and not only the symptoms.

In contrast there were 8 Millennium Development Goals with 21 targets.

Wider consultation at draft stage:

The SDGs are the result of a negotiation process that involved the 193 UN Member States and also saw unprecedented participation of civil society and other stakeholders.

This led to the representation of a wide range of interests and perspectives. On the other hand, the MDGs were produced by a group of experts behind closed doors.

All Elements of Sustainable Development Targeted:

The SDGs are broad in scope because they address the interconnected elements of sustainable development: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection.

The MDGs focused primarily on the social agenda.

Universal Applicability:

The SDGs apply to all countries, developed and developing.

The MDGs targeted developing countries, particularly the poorest.

What are the elements underpinning the Sustainable 

Development Goals?

The Goals and targets will stimulate action over the next 15 years in areas of critical importance: people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership.

People - to end poverty and hunger, in all their forms and dimensions, and to ensure that all human beings can fulfil their potential in dignity and equality and in a healthy environment.

Planet - to protect the planet from degradation, including through sustainable consumption and production, sustainably managing its natural resources and taking urgent action on climate change, so that it can support the needs of the present and future generations.

Prosperity - to ensure that all human beings can enjoy prosperous and fulfilling lives and that economic, social and technological progress occurs in harmony with nature.

Peace - to foster peaceful, just and inclusive societies free from fear and violence. There can be no sustainable development without peace and no peace without sustainable development.

Partnership - to mobilize the means required to implement this agenda through a revitalised global partnership for sustainable development, based on a spirit of strengthened global solidarity, focused in particular on the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable and with the participation of all countries, all stakeholders and all people.

Evaluation of progress made by India on MDGs:

The key targets for the MDGs were halving poverty, ensuring universal primary school enrolment, attaining gender parity, cutting maternal mortality rates by three-fourths, cutting child mortality by two-thirds and reducing incidence of HIV/AIDS, among others.

As per the official figures, India has managed to halve poverty rates from the 1990 levels, ensure gender parity in primary school enrolment, reversed incidence of HIV/AIDS, and reduced malaria and TB deaths.

On the environment front, India is one of the few countries that has reduced its carbon dioxide emissions in relation to its GDP. India emitted 0.65 kg of carbon dioxide per $1 of GDP in 1990, which fell to 0.53 kg in 2010.

However, India continues to lag behind in checking maternal mortality and child mortality to expected levels. It has failed to address prevalence of hunger as well. The failure to improve access to sanitation, with half of the country’s households lacking a latrine, remains a major concern as well.

Even in areas where India claims to be close to meeting its targets, such as reversing the incidence of malaria and TB, the disease burden continues to be high in terms of absolute numbers.

Objective Summary of Evaluation (From Economic Survey)

Positives:

India had made significant progress on the MDGs:

It has already achieved the target of gender parity in primary school enrolment.

Halved the proportion of population without access to clean drinking water.

Is on track on the poverty reduction target.

Negatives:

But it is lagging on targets for:

Achieving universal primary school enrolment.

Reducing child and infant mortality.

Improving access to adequate sanitation.

Challenge in the implementation of SDGs:

In comparison to the MDGs, the SDGs have very comprehensive targets and finding indicators for each of the 169 targets will be a challenge.

Moreover, financing and adequate monitoring mechanisms will pose other major challenges. Successful implementation of the Paris Agreement, the SDGs and the ambitious targets set out in the INDCs will require huge financial resources which cannot be met through budgetary sources alone. Leveraging private finance along with public finance, both international and national, will be critical.

Taking leads from its progress on the MDGs, India will have to prioritize its SDGs, as it will be difficult to target each goal.