Publication: A Challenge for the Planet: The Sustainable Development Goals Under Debate

INTRODUCTION

“Transforming lives while preserving the planet”—this is the ambition of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a global framework for action adopted by all UN member states in September 2015. Universal in scope, the SDGs apply equally to countries in the North and the South and address the economy, societal development, and environmental protection.

The fight against poverty, gender equality, access for all to clean energy and quality education, good health and well-being, sustainable cities, responsible consumption and production… the SDGs call for a profound shift in our model. This transformation requires a renewed dialogue between science, society, and politics, and entails major changes in North-South relations.

Offering a critical analysis of each of the 17 Goals, their interactions, and the contradictions they also entail, this book brings together some sixty authors from diverse backgrounds: heads of scientific institutions, researchers, experts, development actors… This multifaceted approach offers different perspectives and highlights the importance of research in understanding the challenges of the SDGs, measuring progress in their implementation, and designing innovative solutions in collaboration with society.

Accessible to a wide audience, it offers a fresh, critical, and well-documented perspective on the major challenges of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1. The Ambitions of a Universal and Inclusive Dialogue

1. The diplomatic negotiation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): success or a pipe dream? 
2. The Necessary Transformation of North-South Relations for the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda
3. Will the SDGs shape new North-South relations?
4. The 2030 Agenda: A Necessary Dialogue Between Science, Society, and Politics

2. The ideal of a flourishing humanity

1. SDG 1 and the elimination of poverty by 2030: An Unattainable Goal 
2. SDG 2: The choice to address hunger, food security, and sustainable agriculture
3. SDG 3, or the need for a comprehensive approach to health
4. Sustainable Development Goals: What Vision for Education?
5. A Critical Analysis of SDG 5: Between Ambitions for Equality and Political Reality 
6. Sustainable cities in the Global South: a utopia? Reflections from Latin America

3. New Models for a Fair and Sustainable Economy 

1. Is universal access to energy a Sustainable Development Goal? (SDG 7)
2. Decent work and growth at the heart of sustainable development
3. Industrialization processes and developments through SDG 9
4. The role of the private sector. Harnessing digital transformation for development
5. Reducing inequalities within and between countries. Conceptual, statistical, and policy challenges 
6. No sustainable development without reducing inequalities.
7. Sustainable consumption and production. The difficult task of building new lifestyles 

4. Addressing environmental challenges

1. Access to water: a matter of multi-level justice
2. Addressing climate change
3. The role of agriculture in meeting the challenge of SDG 13: Adapting to climate change while mitigating it
4. The oceans: a meeting point for the Sustainable Development Goals
5. Land Degradation Neutrality: The Solution for Preserving Terrestrial Ecosystems

5. The emergence of a new global partnership

1. The Governance Challenges of SDG 16. Overcoming Resistance to Drive Change 
2. Are the SDGs suited to the most fragile countries?
3. Strengthening international scientific solidarity. Bridging gaps and linking local and global challenges 
4. Natural capital accounting: a tool for the SDGs. Organizing the link between research and action at the local level
5. What convergence exists between civil society and public authorities? A multi-stakeholder partnership for SDG 17 

6. From intentions to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda

1. Toward greater politicization, territorialization, and socialization of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs
2. Interconnected SDGs. SDG 2 and the example of agriculture as a lever for the 2030 Agenda
3. Implementation of the SDGs: What are countries doing? A review of voluntary reports presented at the High-Level Political Forum
4. Three Perspectives on Financing Research for Development
5. Innovation at the heart of the 2030 Agenda. What are the challenges for international cooperation? 

FEATURES

Publisher: IRD Editions

Series: Objectifs Suds

Authors: Edited by Patrick Caron and Jean-Marc Châtaigner

Publication date: October 8, 2017