Science of the MDGs and Global Sustainability:

Identifying Future Goals, Targets and Indicators

Anantha Kumar DuraiappahUNU-IHDP

Option 1To keep the current targets and to extend the

deadline

Option 2To keep the current structure while optimizing

existing targets and adding new targets with a new deadline

Option 3To replace the MDGs with an entirely new

structure

The Post 2015 Process: 3 Options

Why a new structure is needed

Weak Performance; Many have no specific targets and/or indicators etc

Key issues but no foundational and conceptual basis

Does not reflect trade-offs and synergies: Sustainability is only in environmental goal.

No distinction of scale Averages and mis-leading signs

Political Considerations

• MDGS must be incorporated in post 2015 development process

• Developing-Developed country dichotomy

• Resources for monitoring, capacity building

What we have so farSDG Theme Suite 02: Colombia and Guatemala proposal

1.Combating Poverty 2.Changing Consumption Patterns 3.Promoting Sustainable Human Settlement Development4.Biodiversity and Forests 5. Oceans 6.Water Resources 7.Advancing Food Security 8.Energy, including from renewable sources

What we have so farSDG Theme Suite 03: PrepCom proposal by member states and

major groups

1.Green jobs, youth employment and social inclusion 2.Energy access, efficiency, sustainability 3.Food security and sustainable agriculture4. Water 5.Sustainable cities 6.Management of the oceans, fisheries and other marine

resources7.Improved resilience and disaster preparedness

What we have so farSDG Theme Suite 04: Declaration 64th UN DPI/NGO Conference (2011) PrepCom proposal 2. by Civil Society Organisations (CSO)

1. .Sustainable Consumption and Production

10. Green cities

2. Sustainable livelihoods, youth & education

11. Subsidies and investment

3. Climate sustainability 12. New indicators of progress

4. Clean energy 13. Access to Information

5. Biodiversity 14. Public Participation

6. Water 15. Access to redress and remedy

7. Healthy seas and oceans 16. Environmental justice for the poor and vulnerable

8. Healthy forests 17. Basic Health

9. Sustainable Agriculture

What we have so farSDG Theme Suite 05: Proposals in Rio+20 negotiations European

Commission non-paper Rio+20 (April 4)8

1. Water

1. Oceans and marine environments

1. Sustainable land management and ecosystems

1. Sustainable Energy

1. Resource efficiency, in particular waste

What we have so farSDG Theme Suite 06The Stakeholder Forum Global Survey conducted

a survey of 410 NGOs.

1.Water (97%) 2.Food Security (96%) 3.Energy (93%) 4.Biodiversity (92%) 5.Forests (90%) 6.Climate Change (91%) 7.Education (91%) 8.Health (76.1%) 9.Sanitation (88%) 10. Public participation (88%)

Key QuestionsQ1. The terms MDGs, SDGs and Global Sustainability Goals have been used quite

loosely and inter-changeable in the discourse on the post-2015 development framework. Are the three terms similar, different, complementary or conflicting? And what are the implications for setting goals, targets and indicators and the data needs?

 Q2. The world is getting much more closely inter-connected and inter-dependent;

therefore most of the goals and targets are inter-linked. How can we develop goals, targets and indicators in a manner that acknowledges these inter-connections—some complimentary and others with trade-offs? Do we and can we develop a conceptual framework that might capture these system dynamics and identify the data information required?

 Q3. How do we develop global goals, targets and indicators that capture explicitly the

need for collective action to achieve these targets and how do we resolve the dichotomy between the principle of universality and the principle of subsidiarity and its implications for data collection?

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Key QuestionsQ4. How will spatial and temporal scales across the natural and socio-

economic sciences impact the development of a post-2015 development framework and how will this influence the data and information needs? For example, how will data on global environmental indicators as suggested by planetary boundaries reconcile with local, national and regional environmental indicators and subsequently the link with the socio-economic targets, and indicators?

 Q5. What will be the main challenges in reconciling the data and information

needs from the natural and socio-economic systems to ensure comparable concrete, quantifiable and time bound goals, targets and indicators?

 Q6. What will be the main steps for the scientific community to take in order

to contribute to the post-2015 development framework process initiated by the UN?

Key Messages

• Inter-connectivity and inter-dependence

• Spatial and temporal Scales: Global goals, targets and indicators need to be aligned with national goals, targets and indicators