The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a proposed set of global targets adopted by governments that business can help achieve. There are currently 17 goals (see below) with 169 indicators to help define progress. Driven by the UN adopting an 'inclusive and transparent intergovernmental process open to all stakeholders' the SDGs launch in September 2015 at the UN Summit. They're going to replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which were good, but fell short, because they were focused on poverty alleviation in the developing world, whereas the SDGs are globally applicable and integrate economic, social and environmental aspects. Expectations are high for the SDGs.
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End poverty in all its forms everywhere |  |
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture |  |
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages |
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Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all |  |
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls |  |
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all |
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Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all |  |
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation |  |
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all |
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Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable |  |
Reduce inequality within and among countries |  |
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts |
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Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns |  |
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 |
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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 revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development |  |
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