Besides shedding some light on an initiative that is very important to me, this article will present a great example on how to define project success with help from objectives and key results (OKRs).
In September 2015, the leaders of all 193 member states of the United Nations (UN) adopted Agenda 2030, a universal agenda that contains the Global Goals for Sustainable Development.
Sustainable development has been defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It calls for concerted efforts towards building an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future for people and the planet.
The 17 Global Goals (i.e. Objectives) in turn hold 169 targets (i.e. Key Results) and 230 indicators (i.e. Measurements).
From 2015 till 2030 all countries will mobilize efforts to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind.
The Global Goals is the most ambitious agreement for sustainable development that world leaders has ever made. It integrates all three aspects of sustainable development; social, economic and environmental.
The Global Goals and Agenda 2030 builds on the success of the Millennium Development Goals and aims to go further to end all forms of poverty. The new goals are unique in that they call for action by all countries, poor, rich and middle-income to promote prosperity while protecting the planet.
With the help of the Global Goals, we will be the first generation who can eradicate poverty and the last who can tackle climate change.
For the goals to be met, everyone needs to do their part: governments, the private sector, civil society and the general public.
While the Global Goals are not legally binding, governments are expected to take ownership and establish national frameworks for the achievement of the 17 Goals.
Countries have the primary responsibility for follow-up and review of the progress made in implementing the Goals, which will require quality, accessible and timely data collection. Regional follow-up and review will be based on national-level analyses and contribute to follow-up and review at the global level.
The Objectives
The 17 defined objectives are:
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 for all
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 Economic 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 Inequality - 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 halt biodiversity loss
16) Peace and Justice 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 to achieve the Goal - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
How will Key Results be measured?
At the global level, the 17 Goals and 169 targets will be monitored and reviewed using a set of global indicators, agreed on by the UN Statistical Commission.
The Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly will then adopt these indicators. Governments will also develop their own national indicators to assist in monitoring progress made on the goals and targets.
The follow-up and review process will be informed by an annual SDG Progress Report to be prepared by the Secretary-General. You will find the report for 2019 here.
The annual meetings of the High-level Political Forum on sustainable development will play a central role in reviewing progress towards the SDGs at the global level.
Taking action
Choosing one Goal to support is a good way to start, and to take specific action. However, all the Goals are interlinked, so by supporting one Goal your actions will have positive impacts on other Goals. For example, promoting gender equality (Goal 5) in your organization will help support a growing economy (Goal 8) and quality education for all (Goal 4).
There are so many things everyone can do to contribute. Here are a few good things to start you off:
> Spread the word about the Global Goals, so that more people can take action and contribute to meeting the Goals.
> Join an organization that actively contributes to meeting the Goals.
> Reduce your general waste and your environmental footprint. Avoid plastics, take the train instead of the airplane, the bike instead of the car.
> Make conscious choices in your consumption. Buy local and try to make sure what you buy is produced in fair and sustainable ways.
> Show compassion and stand up against racism, exclusion, discrimination and injustice.
Use your imagination. The future depends on our ability to imagine it.
