v
Preface
This book explores implementation challenges of the 2030 Sustainable Development
Agenda, by specifically focusing on unique operational issues associated with each
of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In doing so, the book draws
attention toward sustainability science, education, and community capacity- building
needs related to the specific SDG targets and indicators. The target audience of the
book are sustainability leaders, namely, policy-makers, sustainable development
planning practitioners, academicians, and graduate students in various disciplinary
domains associated with sustainability science, education, policy, management, and
impact.
The Sustainable Development Agenda, which was adopted by the United Nations
(UN) in 2015, is a universal, integrated, and human rights-based program. It underscores links between peace, social justice, and development. Consequently, its associated 17 SDGs are wider and much more multidimensional in scope, compared to
its predecessor program, the Millennium Development Goals (MDG)
(2000–2015).
The MDG program was the first concerted effort at a global scale to address
extreme poverty and basic health-care needs. The eight identified goals were manageable and measurable and, most importantly, could be easily identified by a wide
range of stakeholders, across the globe. During the 15-year period, the MDG program was able to achieve certain remarkable outcome – although the progress was
uneven. Therefore, there is a need to create a new framework to achieve inclusive
sustainable development.
The Sustainable Development Goals encompass the Millennium Development
Goals and at the same time incorporate several newer goals, such as building resilient infrastructure, promotion of inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation (SDG 9); reduction of inequality within and among countries
(SDG 10); making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable (SDG 11); ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns
(SDG 12); etc. Table 1 shows a comparison of MDG and SDG targets.
The millennium goals expressed solidarity with the poorest and the most vulnerable. It galvanized the global community to fight poverty and its multiple dimensions.
Preface
This book explores implementation challenges of the 2030 Sustainable Development
Agenda, by specifically focusing on unique operational issues associated with each
of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In doing so, the book draws
attention toward sustainability science, education, and community capacity- building
needs related to the specific SDG targets and indicators. The target audience of the
book are sustainability leaders, namely, policy-makers, sustainable development
planning practitioners, academicians, and graduate students in various disciplinary
domains associated with sustainability science, education, policy, management, and
impact.
The Sustainable Development Agenda, which was adopted by the United Nations
(UN) in 2015, is a universal, integrated, and human rights-based program. It underscores links between peace, social justice, and development. Consequently, its associated 17 SDGs are wider and much more multidimensional in scope, compared to
its predecessor program, the Millennium Development Goals (MDG)
(2000–2015).
The MDG program was the first concerted effort at a global scale to address
extreme poverty and basic health-care needs. The eight identified goals were manageable and measurable and, most importantly, could be easily identified by a wide
range of stakeholders, across the globe. During the 15-year period, the MDG program was able to achieve certain remarkable outcome – although the progress was
uneven. Therefore, there is a need to create a new framework to achieve inclusive
sustainable development.
The Sustainable Development Goals encompass the Millennium Development
Goals and at the same time incorporate several newer goals, such as building resilient infrastructure, promotion of inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation (SDG 9); reduction of inequality within and among countries
(SDG 10); making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable (SDG 11); ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns
(SDG 12); etc. Table 1 shows a comparison of MDG and SDG targets.
The millennium goals expressed solidarity with the poorest and the most vulnerable. It galvanized the global community to fight poverty and its multiple dimensions.