Despite the general rapid development of humanity over the past decades, a large number of global problems have arisen: climate change, natural disasters, political and social instability, and wars. All these conditions have led to the need to create a completely new type of behavior directed at more efficient and rational management of human resources, which will reduce the burden and impact on the environment. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are based on three main concepts. The first is the concept of development: social and economic development by environmental constraints. The second concept is the concept of needs – the redistribution of supplies to guarantee the quality of life for everyone. The third concept is the ability to use resources in the long term to create the necessary quality of life for future generations. The relationship of the three main elements of sustainable development, namely, environmental sustainability, social stability, and economic sustainability, is the core of the concept of sustainable development. Full sustainable development is achieved by balancing all these components. However, achieving the required conditions is not easy, as the implementation of the SDGs must be adapted to many factors.
In 2016, one year after adopting the score 17 goals as the 2030 agenda, 22 countries presented voluntary implementation reports to the HLPF. The reports varied considerably in scope and detail, quality, and thematic breadth depending on the country and the degree of public participation. At the first stage, when the SDGs came into force, little information was provided on the progress made in their implementation. However, they have demonstrated the serious political will of the governments to achieve the set goals and systematically set new goals in all areas of policy. At the same time, the reports are self-portraits of governments and states.
The modern understanding of the concept of sustainable development is considered within the framework of the Development Goals formulated in the United Nations Millennium Declaration. The emphasis is on the complex global situation, such as population growth, hunger and poverty, war and political instability, and further environmental degradation. The main difficulties in implementing the concept of sustainable development are associated with varying degrees of socio-economic development of countries, with a lack of financial resources and technologies, as well as a variety of political and economic goals on a global scale. Brandli et al. (2018) emphasize that “…their action implementation depends on the level of different priority countries give to them, and on how sustainability issues with a country’s main compete” (p. 849). Environmental progress must meet the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Even though SDGs have an international approach, the actions taken are local and usually require how far states are from realizing the goals. In addition, Brandli et al. (2018) accentuate the idea that “the degree of development and commitment to the sustainability of each country influences its domestic interests and actions” (p. 849). Thus, the implementation of the SDGs, even in highly developed countries, faces many problems. Given the rapid technological development and artificial intelligence (AI) creation, the gap between countries of different levels may become even greater. Azizpour et al. (2020) are of the opinion that “AI is expected to affect global productivity, equality and inclusion, environmental outcomes, and several other areas, both in the short and long term” (p. 235). AI can both activate and prevent the achievement of all 17 goals.
Typically, through a technological improvement that can overcome certain current limitations. However, “59 targets (35%) may be adversely affected,” emphasize Azizpour et al. (2020, p. 241). One can conclude that individual approaches are needed to successfully implement various blocks of goals. The biggest challenge in this context lies in the systematic mapping of ways and means to implement the agenda and its goals in national sustainable development strategies. Mazzucato et al. (2019), in their article, suggest possible ways to achieve the goals. They emphasize that at least “two design mechanisms can support long-term SDG Transformations in every country” (Mazzucato et al., 2019, p. 810). With their multi-dimensional approach, the SDGs cut across all policy areas, and their implementation should also be a task for all departments in the sense of a coherent overall strategy. In addition, although technological development occurs at different rates in countries, it should also be considered when developing mechanisms to achieve goals.
Change can only be successful if it enjoys public legitimacy, so political processes must involve the public in decision-making and promote transparency and accountability. It underscores the point of Mazzucato et al. (2019) that “complex tools are needed” to develop pathways for change (p. 810). The UN Sustainable Development Goals offer a motivating and comprehensive concept for the future: a world free of injustice and, discrimination, poverty and a healthy planet for all generations, present and future. It implies a global partnership of countries and peoples of different levels of development, from third-world countries to the most developed.
The successful realization of the 2030 Agenda will require a series of institutional reforms that would help align the country’s policies with sustainability criteria and anchor this topic at a high political level. According to statistics, the most acute problem occurs at the level of civil society participation and domestic funding (Aftab et al., 2020). Taking the example of achieving the SDGs in health, there are both positive and negative sides to the implementation of the SDGs, highlighting the barriers to development planning. Despite significant historical gains in improving maternal health, reducing child mortality, and treating a variety of diseases, there are still factors of ill health (Joint SDG Fund, n.d.). Government, nurses, and even ordinary people can contribute to these goals.
To achieve the SDGs, major transformations need to be undertaken in various social and economic spheres, as well as in many other aspects. Every transformation requires long-term change involving a wide range of stakeholders from government, business, and civil society. Since such complex transformations cannot be achieved through market mechanisms alone, the state must take the lead in planning and implementing transformations. It is necessary to create a full-fledged sustainable development management system in countries, which will include the participation of all stakeholders and use criteria that correspond to the criteria for implementing the SDGs.
Life on the planet can become more sustainable, fair, and peaceful. Everyone can contribute to the achievement of the SDGs, including at home and in everyday life. Consideration should be given to sustainability in consumption and travel and whether politicians respect human rights in international business. The goal of living in a better and more just world can only be achieved by involving as many people as possible. Full sustainable development is achieved by considering various factors that largely depend on the country.
References
Aftab, W., Bhutta, Z., Causevic, S., Friberg, P., Huicho, L., Khamis, A., Lindgren-Garcia, J., Mogilevskii, R., Shah, M., Siddiqi, S., & Siddiqui, F. (2020). Global strategies and local implementation of health and health-related SDGs: lessons from consultation in countries across five regions. MJ Global Health, 5, 1-9. Web.
Azizpour, H., Balaam, M., Dignum, V., Domisch, S., Fellander, A., Langhans, D., Leite, I., Nerini, F., Vinuesa, R., & Tegmark, T. (2020). The role of artificial intelligence in achieving sustainable development goals. Nature Communications, 11(2), 233–243. Web.
Brandli, L., Criebeler, J., Filho, W., & Salvia, A. (2019). Assessing research trends related to sustainable development goals: Local and global issues. Journal of Cleaner Production, 208, 841–849. Web.
Joint SDG Fund. (n.d.). Goal 3: Good health and well-being. Joint SDG Fund. Web.
Mazzucato, M., Messner, D., Nakicenovic, N., Rockstrom, J., Sach, J., & Schnidt-Traub, G. (2019). Six transformations to achieve sustainable development goals. Nature Sustainability, 2, 805–814. Web.