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
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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.
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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.
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.
