Most people think about food systems on a local level. The smaller the locality, the bigger impact one can make. Global change requires more focused participation and commitment. Single-use plastic bag and straw bans, for example, have reduced waste in the New York area, but the same can’t be said country or worldwide. The UN Food Systems Summit's Sustainable Development Goals aim for similar types of improvements but on a global scale.
Plants Growing by the International Fund for Agricultural Development
The Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG) in the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) is the governmental office for the Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs. In 2015, world leaders agreed upon 17 goals with the hopes for a major global transformation regarding issues including water, energy, climate, oceans, urbanization, transport, science, and technology by 2030. These issues in some small or large way contribute to the greater theme of transforming food systems, which is the main point of discussion in the upcoming UN Food Systems Summit in NYC and virtually. A few of the key SDGs that pertain directly to food systems are Zero Hunger, Clean Water and Sanitation, Responsible Consumption and Production, Life Below Water, and Life on Land. While there has been much progress globally in these areas since initially addressed, there is still much work to do to meet the goals set for 2030.
Pineapple Farmer
Although each of the 17 SDGs may not be explicitly focused on food, leaders believe that establishing sustainable food systems will aid in the necessary progress on all of them. If the below goals inspire you to participate, head to https://www.globalgoals.org/ to see how you can get involved!
1. No Poverty: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
2. Zero Hunger: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
3. Good Health and Well-being: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
4. Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities.
5. Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
6. Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
7. Affordable and Clean Energy: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
8. Decent Work and Economical Growth: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.
10. Reduced Inequalities: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
12. Responsible Consumption and Production: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
13. Climate Action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
14. Life Below Water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.
15. Life on Land: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and biodiversity loss.
16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
17. Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.