There are 17 in total. All designed to enable continual forward advancement at a time of increasing environmental degradation, a growing global population, and economic uncertainty.
“The Sustainable Development Goals are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity” – The United Nations Development Programme.
Adopted in 2015, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals are part of the United Nations’ ‘2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’. They follow on from the Millenium Goals that were set in the year 2000 and aims to build on what those goals were unable to achieve. The Sustainable Development Goals tackle the three key areas of sustainability: the environment, society, and the economy.
The 17 goals are listed below. Also, within each goal, there are a number of more specific targets that the UN has identified to help achieve the goal in question.
- No Poverty
- Zero Hunger
- Good Health and Well-Being
- Quality Education
- Gender Equality
- Clean Water and Sanitation
- Affordable and Clean Energy
- Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- Reduced Inequalities
- Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Responsible Consumption and Production
- Climate Action
- Life Below Water
- Life on Land
- Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
- Partnerships for the Goals

Over the next 17 weeks, each of the UN Sustainable Development Goals will be looked at in more detail and ways that we can all make our own impact on each of them. Nations all over the world, with the help of the UN, use them as a guide for their own development, ensuring that nobody gets left behind.
For more general information on each of the goals go to the UN website
Next Monday’s blog: No Poverty
Hi Mike,
I am highly impressed with the way you introduced this post. Namely, how you depict the SDGs as a bid to achieve advancement amidst the plethora of sustainability-related problems confronting mankind. This resonates with my interest in advancement of corporate sustainability advancement and the good of all- the focus of my blog.
I look forward to exploring avenues of collaboration between our blogs- Think Sustainability and ABOTU.
Hi Pius,
Thank you for your comment! It’s always good to hear from someone who is passionate about sustainability. The SDGs are a great template for places and regions all over the world to become more sustainable and it’s definitely worth looking into further and making more people aware of them!