The ocean is not just a victim of environmental decline – it is a foundation of global development. From climate resilience to food security to poverty reduction, ocean health now stands as a critical barometer of our capacity to achieve the SDGs
SDG 8
Decent work and economic growth
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
Targets
Indicators
Target
8.1
Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 per cent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries
Indicators
8.1.1
Annual growth rate of real GDP per capita
Target
8.2
Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors
Indicators
8.2.1
Annual growth rate of real GDP per employed person
Target
8.3
Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services
Indicators
8.3.1
Proportion of informal employment in total employment, by sector and sex
Target
8.4
Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, in accordance with the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production, with developed countries taking the lead
Indicators
8.4.1
Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP
8.4.2
Domestic material consumption, domestic material consumption per capita, and domestic material consumption per GDP
Target
8.5
By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value
Indicators
8.5.1
Average hourly earnings of employees, by sex, age, occupation and persons with disabilities
8.5.2
Unemployment rate, by sex, age and persons with disabilities
Target
8.6
By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training
Indicators
8.6.1
Proportion of youth (aged 15–24 years) not in education, employment or training
Target
8.7
Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms
Indicators
8.7.1
Proportion and number of children aged 5–17 years engaged in child labour, by sex and age
Target
8.8
Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment
Indicators
8.8.1
Fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 workers, by sex and migrant status
8.8.2
Level of national compliance with labour rights (freedom of association and collective bargaining) based on International Labour Organization (ILO) textual sources and national legislation, by sex and migrant status
Target
8.9
By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products
Indicators
8.9.1
Tourism direct GDP as a proportion of total GDP and in growth rate
Target
8.10
Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all
Indicators
8.10.1
(a) Number of commercial bank branches per 100,000 adults and (b) number of automated teller machines (ATMs) per 100,000 adults
8.10.2
Proportion of adults (15 years and older) with an account at a bank or other financial institution or with a mobile-money-service provider
Target
8.a
Increase Aid for Trade support for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, including through the Enhanced Integrated Framework for Trade-related Technical Assistance to Least Developed Countries
Indicators
8.a.1
Aid for Trade commitments and disbursements
Target
8.b
By 2020, develop and operationalize a global strategy for youth employment and implement the Global Jobs Pact of the International Labour Organization
Indicators
8.b.1
Existence of a developed and operationalized national strategy for youth employment, as a distinct strategy or as part of a national employment strategy
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Thirty years after the landmark Beijing Declaration, progress on gender equality is stalling – and in some cases reversing. Rekindling its vision demands urgent, united action to confront rising inequality, authoritarianism, and backlash against women’s rights
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Why demography drives global development: a hidden force behind the SDGs
Economic development — Global
Demographic change is reshaping our world in profound and unequal ways. By planning for population shifts rather than reacting to them, we can seize opportunities to drive progress in areas like education, health, sustainability, and reproductive rights – and build a fairer future for all
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Social protection is a powerful – but underused – lever for gender equality and sustainable development. To get the SDGs back on track and close widening global gaps, governments must invest in inclusive systems that support women’s rights and needs at every stage of life
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We must get trade right for sustainable development
Financing — Europe, Global
Trade has the power to drive sustainable development – but only if the global system is fair. As rising tariffs and unequal rules threaten progress, countries must seize the chance to reimagine trade in support of people and planet
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Women and technology: a catalyst for equality and development
Gender — Global
Denying women and girls access to technology is not a gap – it’s a systemic injustice with global consequences. Urgent action to expand digital access, education, and agency, especially in the world’s poorest countries, is essential to ensure that half the population can shape – not be shut out of – our digital future
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As communities face displacement due to escalating climate impacts, the prevailing attitude to migration in developed nations remains reactionary and inhumane. How can we shift the focus from managing migration to addressing the deep-rooted pressures driving mass movement in the first place?
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A vision for sustainable food
Food systems and sustainable agriculture — Europe
Origin Green sums up the best of what joined-up thinking looks like: uniting food and drink businesses of all sizes in Ireland under a national sustainability programme
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Advancing the Global Agenda through adopting Circular Economy
Economic development — Middle East and Northern Africa
Circular economy principles are a driving force behind Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. The power of the circular economy to revolutionize how we produce, consume, and manage resources is a critical tool in achieving the UN’s Agenda 2030
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Is clean technology transfer an empty promise?
Economic development — Global
Technology transfer is fundamental in developing countries’ aspirations to decarbonize, yet the flow of green tech from developed nations is far below what’s needed. How can we shift investment and political incentives to truly enable the proliferation of sustainable technology worldwide?
