Sustainable Development Goals
What are the Sustainable Development Goals?
‘The Global Goals’, also known as the Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs for short, are a plan of action for people and the planet. 17 goals have been agreed upon by all nations with the aim to end poverty, combat climate change and ensure that we leave peaceful, just and equal societies for future generations. An ambitious target of achieving the goals by 2030 has been set.
These goals are universal in nature, they apply to both developed and developing countries and they place sustainable development at their core. The SDGs work in the spirit of partnership and encourage all people across the planet to make the right choices now to improve life, in a sustainable way, for our children and for generations to come.
End poverty in all its forms everywhere
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture
Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation
Reduce inequality within and among countries
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts (taking note of agreements made by the UNFCCC forum)
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable Development
Ireland’s Role in the Sustainable Development Goals
Ireland’s Sustainable Development Goals National Implementation Plan 2018-2020 commits Ireland to fully achieving all 17 of the Goals by 2030.
The Department of Communication, Climate Action and Environment has responsibility for officially reporting on Ireland’s progress toward meeting the SDG targets. While the Government has the primary responsibility for implementing the SDG’s, the goals will not be achieved without businesses, communities and individuals all working together.
Implementing the Goals in Offaly
Many organisations in Offaly are already working towards or may have already implemented some of the Sustainable Development Goals without being aware of it! We encourage all Businesses, Communities and other Organisations here in Offaly to publish the goals that you are working towards in any literature or on any social media platforms that you have. The Goals are good for business, good for people and they are good for the planet. You can choose which goals are relevant to your organisation and then commit to achieving them. If you need help in working out which goals are relevant to your organisation, you can either check out the resources below or contact Green Offaly for further information.
"You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make."
– Jane Goodall
Resources
Ireland’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) data hub from the Govenment of Ireland
Bringing the Global Goals to Life in Ireland from Make Ireland Sustainable for All
SDG Moving Debate Cards PDF download from Global Action Plan
The Lazy Person’s Guide to Saving the World from the United Nations