Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels * Acknowledging that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is the primary international, intergovernmental forum for negotiating the global response to climate change.
Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to small island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/ policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small-scale fisheries
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of “The future we want”
Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources
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
Environment — Global
Human activity is destroying life on Earth on an unprecedented scale. We must urgently and radically re-evaluate nature in our economic thinking and actions, or risk our own species’ survival
Global governance
Recent years have seen the G20 become more factional, with countries competing for national advantage. Indonesia, holder of the G20 presidency for 2022, intends to rally the member countries to deliver a unified, coordinated response to global challenges: a G20 for the SDGs
Climate — Global, Pacific and South-eastern Asia
Australia has a significant opportunity to be a solution provider in nature-based investment. However, the present economic system does not include the value of ecosystems, despite the fact that ecosystem health is essential to our very survival. An Australian program seeks to address this challenge
Climate — Global
COP26 will inspire new efforts to reach the ambitious SDG targets by 2030. Earth observation data from Copernicus will help us achieve these goals
Climate — Global
Capitalism and sustainability are on a collision course, one that threatens to destroy both the market system and the planet. To head off the impending crash, we must end environmental externalities and make polluters pay for the harm they cause. Standardizing corporate ESG reporting offers a path toward clarity on the environmental harms that need to be addressed
Climate — Global
Removing atmospheric CO2 is essential to achieving the 1.5°C goal formulated in Paris. However, the main technologies under development are unlikely to sequester carbon dioxide at the massive scale required. We need to urgently explore new avenues, and invest particularly in ocean-based solutions
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
Biodiversity — Global
Without action, this century will see many more species go extinct. Halting biodiversity loss calls for all countries to act now to transform how we produce, consume, and manage resources
Climate is just one of nine identified ‘planetary boundaries’, beyond which humanity’s future comes under threat. We must ensure the SDGs succeed within these critical limits
