The international process to develop a set of universal Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) originated during Rio+20, the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, as a new global framework to re-direct humanity towards a sustainable pathway. There followed a three-year process involving UN Member States, 83 national surveys engaging over 7 million people, and thousands of actors from the international community, making it the biggest consultation ever in UN history. The goals have thus been heavily negotiated, and have a broad legitimacy among all parties.
The breadth and depth of the SDGs is unprecedented. Addressing issues related to poverty, hunger, health, education, energy, work, industry, inequalities, cities, consumption, climate,
ocean life, ecosystems, peace and partnership – and like every form of international agreement – the SDGs are the result of an uneasy compromise. They nevertheless represent a moment in history, described by many as a once in a generation opportunity for transformational change.
The business case for supporting the SDGs is compelling. Never before has a global agreement been so encompassing and had such potential to drive change. As much as $12trn and 380 million jobs could be generated by 2030 if the SDGs are placed at the heart of global economic strategies. But with 17 interlinked goals and 169 targets, knowing how to resource and propel the necessary changes is a challenge.
Edge concepts such as ‘Blockchain’ technology are now opening possibilities for accelerating the pace of SDG implementation. This digital ledger’s decentralised, impermeable and transparent structure could cut dramatically corruption, opacity and bureaucracy in transactions involving key SDGs stakeholders from NGOs and private foundations to national governments and international bodies.
Furthermore, Blockchain can address the tensions that prevent a multitude of sustainability, humanitarian, and environmental initiatives from fulfilling their potential while accelerating our collective progress towards meeting the UN SDGs.
You can learn more about how blockchain works, the ways it can help accelerate the SDGs, where it is already being used, and much more in the ‘Exploring Blockchain Frontiers – Unleashing the Potential of SDGs Implementation’ online programme, presented by Gaia Education and UNITAR.