Sustainable Development Report 2020

• 13 Jul 2020

• The 2020 report (prepared by teams of independent experts at the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and the Bertelsmann Stiftung) has reviewed the performance of 193 UN Member States out of which 166 were ranked under SDG Index 2020. The index has been topped by Sweden.
• The report outlines the likely short-term impacts of Covid-19 on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and describes how the SDGs can frame the recovery. The report also tracks progress by countries towards the SDGs.
• According to the report, there will be severe negative impacts on most of the United Nations (UN)-mandated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Negative Impact of COVID-19 on SDGs

• SDG 1 (no poverty)
• SDG 2 (zero hunger)
• SDG 3 (good health and wellbeing)
• SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth)
• SDG 10 (reduced inequalities)

 Immediate (Temporary) Relief to SDGs due to Covid-19

• SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production)
• SDG 13 (climate action)
• SDG 14 (life below water)
• SDG 15 (life on land)

Progress on the SDGs: Asian countries have progressed most on the SDGs since their adoption in 2015. Asian countries have also responded most effectively to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Suggested Approach to overcome such Crisis

• The health, economic and social crises triggered by COVID-19 called for increased international collaboration and solidarity to support the most vulnerable countries.   
• Countries could cooperate on dissemination of the best practices rapidly, addressing hunger hotspots, ensuring social protection and promoting new drugs and vaccines.

SDGs&Six Broad Transformations:The SDGs are a collection of 17 global goals designed to be a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all”.The SDG index frames the implementation of 17 SDG goals among UN member states in terms of six broad transformations- education and skills, health and wellbeing, clean energy and industry, sustainable land use, sustainable cities, and digital technologies.

The Report on India

• India ranked at 117, with a score of 61.9 out of 100. It ranked below two South Asian nations — Pakistan and Afghanistan.
• India faces major challenges in 10 of the 17 SDGs which include — zero hunger, good health, gender inequality among others. There are significant challenges in another three SDGs — no poverty (SDG 1), Life below water (SDG 14) and Life on land (SDG 15).