Comparing the SDGs

Comparing the SDGs and MDGs

It is important to note that the SDGs are “second generation” goals in that they replaced the original Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Review the MDG Website and I encourage you do a cursory review of the status reports, such as the Millennium Development Goals 2015 Report. An issue that has followed the entire effort since the MDGs were announced is that they are almost too aspirational and nearly impossible to achieve in the relatively short timelines set for the goals. For example, one was to eradicate poverty and hunger, and another was to achieve environmental sustainability. Results were of course mixed and, overall, we missed the mark on all the MDGs, even though progress was made towards each. We see the same happening with the SDGs where progress is being made, but the absolute end point goals will be an elusive target; clearly, while there are fewer people in poverty now than in the past, we did not eradicate poverty.

There are 17 SDG Goals, with Goal 7 on energy being the most directly related to this course. We will discuss Goal 7 next. However, it is important to be familiar with the other 16 goals because we will see that energy also permeates nearly all of the other 16. This is because energy impacts many other environmental, social, and economic aspects. Goals on infrastructure, economic development, and sustainable cities among many others have energy-related elements. In fact, we will be looking more closely at the energy-water-food nexus later in the course. Review the various targets for each of the 17 SDGs and see how many you can make the connection to energy reliability, security, and accessibility.