Lessons from Europe’s energy crisis
Energy — Europe
Europe must now redouble efforts to become self-sufficient in energy, with the focus squarely on renewables
Responsible consumption and production
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Targets
Indicators
Target
12.1
Implement the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns, all countries taking action, with developed countries taking the lead, taking into account the development and capabilities of developing countries
Indicators
12.1.1
Number of countries developing, adopting or implementing policy instruments aimed at supporting the shift to sustainable consumption and production
Target
12.2
By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
Indicators
12.2.1
Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP
12.2.2
Domestic material consumption, domestic material consumption per capita, and domestic material consumption per GDP
Target
12.3
By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses
Indicators
12.3.1
(a) Food loss index and (b) food waste index
Target
12.4
By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment
Indicators
12.4.1
Number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste, and other chemicals that meet their commitments and obligations in transmitting information as required by each relevant agreement
12.4.2
(a) Hazardous waste generated per capita; and (b) proportion of hazardous waste treated, by type of treatment
Target
12.5
By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse
Indicators
12.5.1
National recycling rate, tons of material recycled
Target
12.6
Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle
Indicators
12.6.1
Number of companies publishing sustainability reports
Target
12.7
Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities
Indicators
12.7.1
Number of countries implementing sustainable public procurement policies and action plans
Target
12.8
By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature
Indicators
12.8.1
Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment
Target
12.a
Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production
Indicators
12.a.1
Installed renewable energy-generating capacity in developing countries (in watts per capita)
Target
12.b
Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products
Indicators
12.b.1
Implementation of standard accounting tools to monitor the economic and environmental aspects of tourism sustainability
Target
12.c
Rationalize inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption by removing market distortions, in accordance with national circumstances, including by restructuring taxation and phasing out those harmful subsidies, where they exist, to reflect their environmental impacts, taking fully into account the specific needs and conditions of developing countries and minimizing the possible adverse impacts on their development in a manner that protects the poor and the affected communities
Indicators
12.c.1
Amount of fossil-fuel subsidies (production and consumption) per unit of GDP
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We need an ambitious global plan to reverse nature loss
Biodiversity — Global
In 2022 we should aspire to a Paris-style agreement on restoring biodiversity. Ambition alone, articulated in several published pledges, is not enough: governments must now commit to a strengthened Global Biodiversity Framework that compels them to take meaningful action
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Combating plastic pollution needs all hands on deck
Environment — Global
Plastic waste is at crisis point, causing untold harm to wildlife and poisoning food chains. A new plastics treaty could help turn the tide and avoid irreversible damage to species and ecosystems – countries must take bold action now
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While companies have embraced the aims of the SDGs, embedding them into their business operations is another matter entirely. The optional nature of the SDGs is one key challenge, but the greatest hurdle is understanding how to apply SDG indicators to day-to-day business operations
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Less is more: plugging the climate financing gap
Financing — Global
Funding for polluting projects remains alarmingly high. We need to urgently switch this finance toward sustainable projects. The relatively cheap cost of action now compared with the economic disaster of inaction is a math “no brainer” – and the time to act is now
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Businesses are increasingly claiming to support climate action but many struggle to make substantive change. A systematic approach can help businesses set robust greenhouse gas reduction targets and navigate the use of carbon credits
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Corporate environmental hypocrisy must end now
Climate — Global
Marketing and lobbying in support of bogus “green” solutions is undermining global efforts to halt climate change. The UN must step in to convene an intergovernmental scientific panel that evaluates corporate environmental claims
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Fostering innovation
Economic development
The Decade of Action demands rapid and impactful innovation in all areas to make Agenda 2030 a reality. How can we achieve this?
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The continuous degradation of ocean health represents a major civilizational challenge and should be high on the international policy agenda. Ocean science and policy must offer sustainable solutions on climate, food supply, poverty reduction, and energy access
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The SDGs are the only road to recovery
Climate — Europe, Global
The Sustainable Development Goals provide the only possible path to lead us from current crises to a future of long-term survival for our planet and inhabitants
