What are the SDGs?
The Sustainable Development Goals are 17 goals that all United Nations countries agreed to in September 2015, to be reached by 2030. Together they are called the 2030 Agenda. Under the goals sit 169 targets, which are smaller, measurable aims.
Sustainable development means meeting the needs of people today without harming the chances of people in the future.
Before the SDGs there were the 8 Millennium Development Goals (2000 to 2015). The SDGs are wider: they apply to all countries, rich and poor, and put the environment at the centre.
The 17 goals in five groups (the 5 Ps)
People (1 to 5): 1 No poverty, 2 Zero hunger, 3 Good health and wellbeing, 4 Quality education, 5 Gender equality.
Prosperity (7 to 11): 7 Affordable and clean energy, 8 Decent work and economic growth, 9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure, 10 Reduced inequalities, 11 Sustainable cities and communities.
Planet (6, 12 to 15): 6 Clean water and sanitation, 12 Responsible consumption and production, 13 Climate action, 14 Life below water, 15 Life on land.
Peace (16): Peace, justice and strong institutions.
Partnership (17): Partnerships for the goals.
Goals depend on each other
The goals are linked. Clean energy (7) cuts the pollution that causes climate change (13) and also protects health (3). Education for girls (4 and 5) lowers poverty (1) and improves health (3).
Sometimes there is a trade-off. A new factory brings jobs (8) but may pollute a river (6, 14). Good plans look at all goals together instead of fixing one at a time.
That is why the SDGs are drawn as one wheel or tower, not 17 separate boxes.
How do we measure progress? India examples
Each goal has targets and indicators, numbers we can track, such as the share of people living on very low income, or the share of children in school. Countries report their numbers to the UN.
In India, NITI Aayog publishes an SDG India Index that scores every state, so states can compare and improve. Schemes such as clean cooking-gas connections (goal 7), toilets and drinking-water taps (goal 6) and free school meals (goals 2 and 4) link to the SDGs.
What can students do? Save water and power, avoid waste, plant trees, learn and share what you learn. Small actions at home count as part of goal 12.
Try it
Walk around your home or school and note one thing for five different goals, for example a tap that leaks (goal 6), a light left on (goal 7) or a girl and boy sharing a class (goals 4 and 5). In the 3D tower, pick each goal with the slider and check its group.
Key formulas and definitions
- 17 goals, 169 targets, adopted in 2015, to be met by 2030.
- 5 Ps: People (1-5), Prosperity (7-11), Planet (6, 12-15), Peace (16), Partnership (17).
- Sustainable development = meet today's needs without harming future generations.
- MDGs: 8 goals (2000-2015). SDGs: 17 goals (2015-2030).
Worked examples
1. Which SDG group does "Zero hunger" (goal 2) belong to?
People (goals 1 to 5).
2. Give one way "Clean energy" (goal 7) helps another goal.
It reduces smoke and fossil-fuel pollution, which helps climate action (13) and health (3).
3. A new coal factory brings jobs but pollutes a river. Which goals pull in different directions?
Goal 8 (jobs and growth) gains, while goal 6 (clean water) and goal 14 or 15 (life) lose. This is a trade-off, so planners must look for cleaner choices.
4. How many goals are in each group: People, Prosperity, Planet, Peace, Partnership?
People 5, Prosperity 5, Planet 5, Peace 1, Partnership 1. Total 17.
5. Why does the SDG model show the goals as one tower?
Because progress in one goal helps others and a gap in one can hurt others, so they must be planned together.
Common mistakes
- Thinking the SDGs are only about the environment. Only part of them are; many are about people, work, peace and equality.
- Mixing up the SDGs and MDGs. MDGs were 8 goals up to 2015; the SDGs are 17 goals up to 2030.
- Putting goal 6 (clean water) under People. In the 5 Ps it is listed under Planet.
- Treating goals as separate projects. They are linked and often need joint plans.