Monday 20 March 2017

Green experts see little progress on UN’s goals

There is little progress being made towards the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

That's according to a new survey of around 500 sustainability experts from more than 74 different countries, conducted by GlobeScan and SustainAbility.

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and social entrepreneurs are seen by experts as doing the most to advance the goals, with their efforts being rated 'good' by 38% and 33% of respondents respectively.

On the contrary, national governments and the private sector are seen as performing particularly poorly - 61% of experts rate the performance of national governments and 49% that of the private sector as poor.

When asked which of the SDGs are the most important for society to focus on to drive sustainable development, 39% of experts chose 'Climate Action', which aims to solve issues such as global warming.

Around 41% of experts say 'Climate Action' is the goal receiving the most attention within their own organisation.

Eric Whan, Director at GlobeScan, said: "Our research findings underline just how difficult our predicament is and how much of a need there is now for new forms of leadership enabled by new systems and business models, redefinitions of value and greater trust in leaders.

"It is time for a step change before 2030 comes and goes."

Prime Minister Theresa May has said the UK will be at the forefront of delivering the SDGs.