essay on life below water

Essay on Life Below Water

Students are often asked to write an essay on Life Below Water in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Life Below Water

Introduction.

Life below water is a world full of wonder and mystery. It is home to a diverse array of creatures, from tiny plankton to giant whales.

Importance of Life Below Water

Marine life plays a vital role in the world’s ecosystem. It provides food, regulates climate, and contributes to the air we breathe.

Threats to Marine Life

However, human activities like pollution, overfishing, and climate change are threatening life below water. These actions disrupt the balance and can lead to the loss of species.

Conservation Efforts

It’s crucial to protect marine life. Conservation efforts include creating marine reserves, reducing pollution, and promoting sustainable fishing.

We must respect and protect life below water. It’s not just about the creatures in the sea, but our survival too.

250 Words Essay on Life Below Water

The importance of life below water.

Life Below Water, a phrase that encapsulates the vast, diverse, and often unexplored world beneath the ocean’s surface, is an essential element of our planet’s ecosystem. It is home to millions of species, many of which are yet to be discovered and plays a critical role in regulating the Earth’s climate.

Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem

The marine ecosystem is a treasure trove of biodiversity, teeming with a multitude of species that range from the smallest plankton to the largest mammal – the Blue Whale. This rich biodiversity is a crucial contributor to the global food chain, supporting millions of human lives. Moreover, it acts as a buffer against climate change by absorbing large amounts of CO2.

Threats to Oceanic Life

Despite its importance, life below water faces numerous threats. Overfishing, pollution, and climate change are the primary culprits, leading to habitat destruction and species extinction. The bleaching of coral reefs, a critical habitat for many marine species, is a glaring example of the impact of these threats.

The Need for Conservation

Conservation of life below water is not just an environmental issue, but also a socio-economic one. Healthy oceans are vital for sustainable fishing, tourism, and even medicine. Therefore, it’s crucial to advocate for sustainable practices, strict regulations on marine pollution, and the establishment of marine protected areas.

In conclusion, life below water is a vital component of our planet’s health and prosperity. It is our collective responsibility to ensure its conservation for the benefit of future generations.

500 Words Essay on Life Below Water

Life below water is a realm of existence that is as fascinating as it is crucial to the overall balance of our planet. This underwater world, covering about 71% of the Earth’s surface, is home to a diverse array of species and ecosystems, playing a vital role in maintaining the planet’s health and survival.

The Biodiversity of Underwater Life

The underwater ecosystem is a vibrant and diverse world teeming with life. From the microscopic plankton, the foundation of the aquatic food chain, to the colossal blue whales, the ocean’s biodiversity is staggering. Coral reefs, often referred to as the rainforests of the sea, host approximately 25% of all marine species. These ecosystems, despite only covering less than 0.1% of the ocean’s floor, are hotspots of underwater biodiversity, providing shelter, food, and breeding grounds for numerous species.

The Role of Oceans in Climate Regulation

Oceans act as the Earth’s thermostat, regulating the global climate and weather patterns. They absorb about 30% of the carbon dioxide produced by humans, buffering the impacts of global warming. The ocean’s currents distribute heat around the planet, maintaining a balance that allows diverse ecosystems to flourish. Phytoplankton, tiny marine plants, contribute significantly to this process by absorbing carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and releasing oxygen. In fact, they are responsible for producing over half of the world’s oxygen, highlighting the ocean’s role in sustaining life not only underwater but also on land.

Threats to Life Below Water

Despite its importance, life below water faces numerous threats. Overfishing, pollution, and climate change are among the most pressing issues. Overfishing depletes fish populations faster than they can reproduce, disrupting the food chain and leading to a decline in overall marine biodiversity. Pollution, particularly plastic pollution, is another significant threat, with millions of tons of plastic waste ending up in the ocean each year, causing harm to marine life.

Climate change, driven by greenhouse gas emissions, leads to ocean warming and acidification, both of which have devastating impacts on marine life. Coral reefs are particularly vulnerable, with mass bleaching events and die-offs becoming increasingly common as the oceans warm.

The Path Forward

Addressing these threats requires concerted global action. Sustainable fishing practices, stricter pollution controls, and ambitious climate action are all necessary to protect life below water. The global community must recognize the intrinsic value of the ocean’s biodiversity and the essential role it plays in supporting life on Earth.

In conclusion, life below water is a complex, diverse, and vital part of our planet. It plays a crucial role in climate regulation, supports a vast array of species, and provides resources upon which human societies depend. However, it is under threat from human activities. As we move forward, it is essential that we take steps to protect and preserve this remarkable world beneath the waves.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Water Conservation and Management
• Essay on Sources of Water
• Essay on Water Is Life

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

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WSDF 2020, Mar 5-7 | Durango, Mexico

The Ocean: Life Below Water and Why it Matters

Key questions >>>

• Why does the ocean matter? How is the ocean important for sustainable development?
• What does the sustainable blue economy offer us?
• What are the ocean knowledge gaps?
• How do we need to develop a multidisciplinary ocean science?

The ocean covers around three-quarters of the earth's surface and contains more than 90% of living species on our planet. The ocean is also the single largest ecosystem in the world, and it provides food for billions of people worldwide, as well as maritime transport, renewable energies, and other goods and services like regulating, cultural and supporting services. 

Nevertheless, the ocean is not indestructible, and our footprint is very large. Overfishing, toxic pollution, invasive species, nutrient over-enrichment, habitat degradation and destruction, biodiversity loss, dependence of a growing global population on its goods and services, and coastal development, all threaten the sustainability of coastal ocean ecosystems ( Vanderweerd in Sherman and McGovern, 2011). Ocean acidification is also a growing threat that may be more important than warming, pollution and overfishing (Roberts, 2011).

Why Does the Ocean Matter?

Oceans mean different things for different people: life, passion or wonderment; vastly important; a very important source of life and energy; an incredible source of food and amazing source of biodiversity; it's wild, exciting, terrifying and exhilarating; means a lot to me, if something happens I will not have the fun I’m used to; it's a livelihood, it's been there for generations and hopefully will be there for generations to come.’ (Adapted from video excerpt, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, 2011, in Muñoz-Sevilla and Le Bail 2017).

According to the World Wildlife Fund, the ocean is currently valued at $24 trillion dollars. The goods and services from marine environments add up to an additional $2.5 trillion yearly. This means the ocean would have the seventh-largest GDP in the world.  However, the value of the ocean relies on its current output, which in turn depends on its conditions. Climate change, ocean acidification, habitat destruction, pollution and overfishing are endangering the ocean and threatening its value and the security and livelihood of the three billion people who depend on it. Most of these people live in Small Island Developing States, they are among the ones who contribute least to these issues, but they are the ones at most risk, as they’re already vulnerable. ( Hoegh-Guldberg 2015)

Agenda 2030: SDG 13 and SDG 14

A historical change has been taking place for the past 23 years, from Agenda 21 to Agenda 2030. At the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit in 1992, more than 178 countries adopted Agenda 21. The Millennium declaration was adopted after the 2000 Millennium Summit in New York. 10 years after the Rio Earth Summit, in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that were adopted during the Earth Summit in Johannesburg, ocean issues were included in the conversation for the first time. 

In 2012, at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (also popularly known as Rio+20), member states adopted the document titled “The Future We Want”, which set the process of developing the sustainable development goals (SDGs) building on the MDGs. Finally, during the UN Sustainable Development Summit in 2015, seventeen SDGs were adopted which are an integral part of the 2030 Agenda.  

Progress of SDG 14 in 2019

The expansion of protected areas for marine biodiversity and existing policies and treaties that encourage responsible use of ocean resources are still insufficient to combat the adverse effects of overfishing, growing ocean acidification and worsening coastal eutrophication. As billions of people depend on oceans for their livelihood and food source, increased efforts and interventions are needed to conserve and sustainably use ocean resources at all levels. 

• Ocean acidification is caused by the uptake of atmospheric CO 2 by the ocean, which changes the chemical composition of the seawater. Long-term observations over the past 30 years have shown an average increase of acidity of 26 percent since pre-industrial times. At this rate, an increase of 100 to 150 percent is predicted by the end of the century, with serious consequences for marine life. 
• To achieve sustainable development of fisheries, fish stocks must be maintained at a biologically sustainable level. Analysis reveals that the fraction of world marine fish stocks that are within biologically sustainable levels declined from 90 percent in 1974 to 66.9 percent in 2015. 
• As of December 2018, over 24 million km 2 (17.2 per cent) of waters under national jurisdiction (0–200 nautical miles from a national border) were covered by protected areas, a significant increase from 12 percent in 2015 and more than double the extent covered in 2010. The protected areas increased from 31.2 per cent in 2000 to 44.7 per cent in 2015 and to 45.7 per cent in 2018. 
• Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing remains one of the greatest threats to sustainable fisheries, the livelihoods of those who depend upon them and marine ecosystems. Most countries have taken measures to combat such fishing and have adopted an increasing number of fisheries management instruments in the past decade. 
• Small-scale fisheries are present in almost all countries, accounting for more than half of total production on average, in terms of both quantity and value. To promote small-scale fishers’ access to productive resources, services and markets, most countries have developed targeted regulatory and institutional frameworks. However, more than 20 per cent of countries have a low to medium level of implementation of such frameworks, particularly in Oceania and Central and South Asia.

The Ocean Decade

To recognize that more needs to be done to mitigate the global decline in ocean health, in December 2017, the UN declared 2021 to 2030 as the decade of ‘Ocean Science and Sustainable Development’. 

The Ocean Decade will strengthen international cooperation in all levels by strengthening dialogues, developing partnerships, developing capacity-building and leveraging investment, while supporting the entire 2030 Agenda for sustainable development. Other critical goals include improving ocean literacy and education to modify social norms and behaviors, and creating new models for ocean action.

The Ocean Decade aims to include science-informed mitigation and adaptation policies around the world and share knowledge with coastal communities who are most vulnerable to the changes of the ocean. (Claudet et al. 2019)

The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Ocean 

From Little Blue Letter, Glen Wright

• Marine creatures are enjoying some quiet time as underwater noise levels drop. Scientists are studying these effects on marine mammals.
• ​From Florida to Thailand, the number of sea turtles nests has increased on the now-empty beaches. The rapid recovery of marine wildlife in coastal areas shows how extensive our impacts are and highlights the importance of protected areas. 
• Fishers around the world are struggling with decreased demand, lack of sanitary conditions and logistical challenges. In some countries, like India, food security of the communities may be affected by this disruption of supply chains.
• PADI and Rash’R are producing (non-profit)  reusable face masks made from Ocean plastic , with designs based on sea animals!

Final Remarks

We can all take small steps towards protecting our ocean. Reduction of single-use plastic, responsible fish consumption, avoiding ocean harming products, and making your voice heard can all directly contribute towards a healthier ocean. However, more indirect approaches can be taken by reducing the amount of greenhouse gases produced by our daily activities and, therefore, reducing our carbon footprint. Reducing red meat consumption, consuming locally sourced products and using personal vehicles less are all examples of small steps we can take towards reducing our impact. The sum of individual actions can truly make a difference in the fate of our ocean.

Collectively, we need to form a global ocean community, acknowledging that all of our actions have an impact on the ocean (Claudet et al. 2019). And, although it is incumbent on each of us to take steps to protect the ocean, collective action is also required. New models for ocean action, which are collaborative, intergenerational, cross-cultural, and multi-sectoral, are needed in the coming decade, in order to protect our beloved ocean. 

The ocean is our life support system, it connects every one of us, you can think of the ocean as the blue heart  of this planet, but then we look after that heart and we know how we are damaging it and it needs intensive care. We know that scientists, politicians and stakeholders are talking to each other, but it isn’t just up to them, each and every one of us can make the difference, even if the difference might be small, after all individual small drops of sea water can make up the vast ocean . (Adapted from video excerpt, Plymouth Marine Laboratory 2011, in Muñoz-Sevilla and Le Bail 2017).

Bibliography

Cheung, W. et al (2013), “Signature of Ocean Warming in Global Fisheries Catch”, Nature, 497(2013): 365–368.

Claudet, J. et al (2019), “A Roadmap for Using the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development in Support of Science, Policy, and Action”, One Earth , 2(1): 34-42.

Halpern, B. et al (2012), “An Index to Assess the Health and Benefits of the Global Ocean, Nature , 488(2012): 615–620.

UNESCO and UNEP (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and United Nations Environment Programme) (2016), Large Marine Ecosystems: Status and Trends, Summary for Policy Makers , Nairobi: UNEP.

Muñoz-Sevilla N. and M. Le Bail M (2017), “Latin American and Caribbean Regional Perspectives on Ecosystem Based Management (EBM) of Large Marine Ecosystems Goods and Services”, Environmental Development , 22(2017), 9-17.

Munoz-Sevilla N. et al (2019), UNU Ocean Institute Scoping Study Report , Tokyo: United Nations University.

Plymouth Marine Laboratory (2011), Ocean Acidification: Connecting Science, Industry, Policy and Public (A Short Film for the Natural Environment Research Council and the UK Ocean Acidification Research Programme), Plymouth Marine Laboratory

Roberts D. (2011), In: Ocean Acidification: Connecting Science, Industry, Policy and Public . A short film for the Natural Environment Research Council and the UK Ocean Acidification Research Programme. Plymouth Marine Laboratory.

Sherman, K. and G. McGovern (2011), Toward Recovery and Sustainability of the World’s Large Marine Ecosystems during Climate Change , Gland, Switzerland: International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Sherman K. et al (2017), “Sustainable Development of Latin American and the Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystems”, Environmental Development , 22(2017), 1-8.

United Nations (2015), Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development , New York: UN.

Wright G. (2020), “The Pandemic and the Ocean”, Email Correspondence on May 1, 2020.

Hoegh-Guldberg, O. (2015), Reviving the Ocean Economy: The Case for Action , Geneva: World Wide Fund for Nature.

Consulted on April 24th, 2020. (2019) What is the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development?. https://www.oceandecade.org/about?tab=our-story . Consulted on May 4th, 2020.

Goal 14: Life Below Water

SDG14: Life Below Water

Can you imagine a world without oceans to swim in and explore? Oceans are home to seahorses, dolphins, whales, corals, and many other living creatures. Oceans are our planet’s life support as they provide water, food and help regulate the weather. Oceans also provide jobs for more than 3 billion people who depend on marine biodiversity for their livelihood. If we do not stop polluting our oceans, there will be severe problems that affect every person and living creature on the planet.

Pollution poses the greatest threat to our planet and the lives of future generations! Do you ever ask yourself where all the plastic bottles and bags go after you use them? Every year an estimated 5 to 12 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean. Carbon emissions produced by human activities, like driving cars, are causing the oceans to warm and increase the acid level in the water. This is extremely bad for animals and organisms that live in the sea, as the acid can break the organisms’ shells and damage coral reefs.

All of us need to help to protect our seas. You can suggest to your parents not to use plastic bottles at home, but use a filter instead, if your tap water allows. Next time you go to the beach, bring a reusable bag to collect garbage, so it does not enter the water.

Our new reading list for SDG14: Life Below Water explains the importance of the ocean and the resources it provides to all of us, teaching you what you can do to keep our seas clean. The books will take you on underwater journeys and introduce you to many unique sea creatures while helping to understand what problems affect ocean’s health.

Table of Contents

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SDG Book Club Chapters

More recommendations

On the importance of reading

Reading list

The Big Book of the Blue

The Big Book of the Blue explores the underwater world through several themes such as looking at animals in danger, learning how to spot creatures at the beach, and discovering how to do our part to save sea life. Filled with fascinating facts, this book’svivid illustrations bring to life some of the most interesting underwater animals.

Author and Illustrator: Yuval Zommer | ISBN: 9780500651193 | Publisher: Thames & Hudson

Heads and Tails: Underwater

This book encourages children’s imagination and curiosity, as the illustrations let them guess what creatures live in the world’s waters. It’s a great conversation starter about how pollution endangers these animals and what each child can do to help protect life under water and keep our oceans, lakes, and rivers clean.

Author and Illustrator: John Canty | ISBN: 9781536214604 | Publisher: Candlewick

Water: A Deep Dive of Discovery

This comprehensive yet accessible exploration of water will help young readers understand many aspects of one of our planet’s most precious resources – and how they can protect it. A friendly water droplet character guides children through topics ranging from melting and freezing to the ways in which water literally shapes the Earth.

Author: Christy Mihaly |  Illustrator: Mariona Cabassa | ISBN: 9781646862801 | Publisher:  Barefoot Books

Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist

A story about Eugenie Clark who fell in love with sharks from the first moment she saw them at the aquarium and couldn’t imagine anything more exciting than studying these graceful creatures. Through her accomplishments, she taught the world that sharks were to be admired rather than feared and that women can do anything they set their minds to.

Author: Jess Keating |  Illustrator: Marta Álvarez Miguéns  | ISBN: 9781492642046 | Publisher:  Sourcebooks Explore

If You Want to Visit a Sea Garden

Sea gardens have been created by First Peoples on the Northwest Coast of North America for more than three thousand years. These gardens consist of stone reefs that are constructed at the lowest tide line, encouraging the growth of clams and other marine life on the gently sloped beach. This story follows a young child and an older family member who set out to visit a sea garden early one morning, as the lowest tides often occur at dawn.

Author: Kay Weisman |  Illustrator: Roy Henry Vickers  | ISBN: 9781554989706 | Publisher:  Groundwood Books

Reading is a great way to better understand what people from across the globe struggle with in their everyday lives, and it helps us reflect on our own situation. But reading is just the first step: now it’s time to share your book club experiences and how you plan to take action. Each month, we will feature a couple of book clubs on our blog , so get ready to share your story through social media, by using #SDGBookClub and tagging @UNPublications.

We know it can be difficult to stay at home to protect ourselves and our loved ones from COVID-19. This is why we created a new guide on how to organize your own SDG Book Club online to connect with your friends and family while sharing the joy of reading. We look forward to hearing about your experience on social media using #SDGBookClub.

Help us spread the word by downloading our promotional materials. You will find a horizontal banner, bookmark, placard and easy-to-print sign-up sheet for your friends, family and community to join the SDG Book Club!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the sdg book club.

The SDG Book Club aims to use books as a tool to encourage children ages 6-12 to interact with the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through a curated reading list ofbooks from around the world related to each of the 17 SDGs in all six official UN languages—Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.

How do you choose books for the reading list?

A selection committee works together to make the final selection for each of the 17 SDGs, in all six official UN languages —Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. The selection committee consists of members from the United Nations, International Publishers Association (IPA), the International Federation of Librarian Associations (IFLA), European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBA), International Authors Forum (IAF), and International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY).

What sorts of books will be considered for this reading list?

Fiction, non-fiction, and other genres that our panel thinks will help educate children about SDGs will be considered.

What is the target age for the reading list?

The reading list is meant for children ages 6-12. However, we encourage parents, educators, and everyone who is interested to read the selected books and help children understand the importance of the SDGs.

How often is the reading list updated?

The reading list will be published during the first week of every month for 17 months, starting with Goal 1: No Poverty in April 2019 and culminating with Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals in September 2020 for the 5th anniversary of the SDGs.

Can I sign-up for email updates?

Yes. Sign up on our homepage to get a monthly email on news and updates. Your privacy is important to us so we would never share your information with third parties or spam your inbox.

Do you sell books here?

No. We do not intend to sell or promote the sale of the books featured in the reading list. If you chose to, you can buy the books online, wherever books are sold, or get a copy at your local bookstore or library.

How do I participate in the conversation via social media?

You can post your thoughts and images on social media using the hashtag #SDGBookClub . Please tag/follow us on Twitter  and Facebook.

Is there a book club meeting near me which I can join?

Yes, there are book club meetings taking place all over the world. Check back for a link to the list! (Coming soon)

How can host my own book club meeting and add it to the list of events?

People can host book club meetings around the world and share their photos via #SDGBookClub. If you would like to organize a public book club meeting, we recommend contacting your local book store, library or school and set it up with them. Please share the planned event on social media using #SDGBookClub and we will add it to the list of events.

I have some thoughts. How do I send feedback?

You can post feedback on our Facebook page or write an email to: [email protected] .

Can I make recommendations for the reading list?

We sincerely appreciate your interest. However, we are not currently accepting recommendations.

What other actions can I take to promote the SDGs?

There are actions that you can take beyond just reading the books.

A/ Help your kids to create a poster with a photo or drawing and interesting facts about their favourite character(s) of the book.

B/ Design a reading scavenger hunt for kids using drawings and pictures instead of questions and help them search for things mentioned in the book.

C/ Help your kids write a letter to the local government representative and tell them what you learned in the book and ask them what action(s) they are taking toward a specific Goal.

D/ Organize a parent-child facilitated book discussion for younger kids. Invite your child’s friends and their parents to discuss a book from the reading list at your local library or children’s book store.

E/ Spread the word on social media, using the hashtag #SDGBookClub. We’d love to feature your pictures/videos on our social media.

What else can I do to teach children about the SDGs?

You can find plenty of Student Resources here . You will find other books aimed at children, as well as the SDG board game. The game aims to help teach children around the world about the Sustainable Development Goals in a child-friendly and straightforward way.

Read to a Child campaign : A global campaign on reading to children to encourage literacy and global citizenship, incorporating the priorities youth and quality education. It is planned to take place in September 2020. More information to come. Please sign up to stay informed.

The International Publishers Association (IPA)  is a federation of publishing associations from around the world. The main mandate of the IPA is to promote and defend copyright, support the freedom to publish, promote literacy and reading. IPA is an accredited NGO in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the UN. IPA supports the SDGs and works particularly closely with WIPO and UNESCO.

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. It is the global voice of the library and information profession. Founded in 1927 in Edinburgh, Scotland at an international conference, we celebrated our 90th birthday in 2017. We now have more than 1,300 Members in nearly 150 countries around the world. IFLA was registered in the Netherlands in 1971.

The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY)  is a non-profit organization that represents an international network of people from all over the  world who are committed to bringing books and children together. Today IBBY comprises 79 National Sections worldwide.

The European & International Booksellers Federation (EIBF)  represents national booksellers associations in the European Union and beyond. EIBF Members in turn have in membership booksellers of all kinds: brick and mortar bookshops, online bookshops, independents, chains.

The Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF)  is the most important international trade fair of the children’s publishing industry. With over 50 years of experience, BCBF has succeeded in bringing together a unique and diverse global audience: the result is the world’s premium copyright business hub when it comes to publishing with an extra core that extends to all multi-media content for children.

SDG Book Club Chapters Around the World

Our SDG Book Club is expanding and we are excited to see SDG reading lists for children from around the world. In addition to the SDG Book Club in the UN’s six official languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish) there are now chapters in other languages. Visit the SDG Book Club Chapters listed below.

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Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water

Ana Vitoria Tereza

23 Aug 2022

https://oceanliteracy.unesco.org/sustainable-development-goal-14-life-below-water/

Authors: Esteban Gottfried Burguett, Andreas Mittermayr, Valentina Lovat – IOC-UNESCO

SDG 14 is the only globally agreed roadmap for the conservation and sustainable management of marine resources. Its faithful implementation is, therefore, our best hope for remedying the ocean’s challenges. The United Nation’s sustainability goal is a call for action to citizens and governments on the entire planet. Experts agree that ten goals can bring the relationship between the Ocean and humans back into equilibrium.

” Live Below Water ” is a key target area of the United Nation’s sustainability goals on a global scale. Civil actors across our planet are coming together to find new ways of mobilising action for the conservation, protection and sustainable use of the ocean. 

All the SDGs are strictly linked with one another, as stated by the UN Secretary-General during the opening of the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon (2022) «our failure to care for the ocean will have ripple effects across the entire Agenda 2030 ».

The impact of SDG14 is not limited to life below water. Much rather, it is relevant to the functioning of all faculties of human culture and economy. This is why finding modes of implementing all of the ten targets for life below water is so critical to maintaining the entire spectrum of human lives and cultures.

The Sustainable Development Goals.

Why a goal entirely dedicated to the ocean?

We have already written about the importance of the ocean in regulating the natural cycles. However, it is never enough recalling the wonders and the challenges the ocean is facing nowadays. Since the advent of modern civilization, the ocean has been treated as a space free of regulation or consequence. An unprecedented scale of overfishing and  the use of destructive ways of doing so, as done by trawlers, have amplified the stress on marine life forms. 

Ocean warming and the increase of greenhouse gas emissions are leading to an unprecedented ocean acidification that has been leading to an ecological collapse. Furthermore, the inflow of plant nutrients, mainly due to outdated production practices in industrial agriculture, have been fuelling the eutrophication of marine ecosystems. Collectively, all of these and many other inputs are called multiple stressors. Each of these stressors can individually have many adverse effects on marine life, which is highly dependent on the intensity and duration of stress. However, stressors rarely occur in isolation. Marine life at any location encounters a unique combination of stressors. These practices have brought forth a series of problems that require determined, collective and immediate action. 

Cumulative impacts represented as Illustration. © Chiara Cortese.

We can have a role, as a society, to turn the tide 

In 2015, the member states of the United Nations formulated the 2030 Agenda, constituted by 17 goals for sustainable development, which touch upon all areas of daily human life. Driving concrete change for a more sustainable relationship between humans and nature is unthinkable without considering the ocean – which covers more than two-thirds of the surface of the blue planet. Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14) addresses the key challenges of ocean health and suggests tangible ways of addressing these.

The key forum for amplifying the demands of SDG14 are the UN Ocean Conferences. The first convening took place in New York in 2017, and proved to be a vital point of interconnection between heads of State and Government, civil society representatives, business leaders, stakeholders, academics, scientists and ocean and marine life advocates. The momentum generated in 2017 was used  to address many of the deep-rooted problems of our societies’ relation with the ocean. Stepping up action on common shared solutions that are anchored in the SDGs requires global and transdisciplinary cooperation. To mobilise the action the ocean needs, the Conferences seek to propel much needed science-based innovative solutions aimed at starting a new chapter of global ocean action

The ten targets of the SDG14

Scientists, activists and policy-makers have been thinking about how to achieve the goals formulated within the framework of the SDG14. They have developed ten targets and ten indicators that highlight the necessity to work and improve in the following areas: marine pollution, conservation through marine protected areas, ocean acidification, regulation of fishery practices, and increased research to foster scientific knowledge and awareness, which would allow life to continue thriving above and below water.

As already mentioned above, the targets and indicators are cyclically assessed and discussed during international meetings, symposiums and global UN Ocean Conferences. You can find all the details related to SDG14 in its dedicated international website.

Target 14.1 By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution 

• Indicator 14.1 is the “Index of coastal eutrophication and floating plastic debris density

Target 14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans     

• Indicator 14.2.1 is “the proportion of national exclusive economic zones managed using ecosystem-based approaches

Target 14.3 Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

• Indicator 14.3.1 is the “Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations

Target 14.4 By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics    

• Indicator 14.4.1 is “the proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels

Target 14.5 By 2020, conserve at least 10 percent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

• Indicator 14.5.1 is the “coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

Target 14.6 By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies, which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation

• Indicator 14.6.1 is the “progress by countries in the degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing”

Target 14.7 By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

• Indicator 14.7.1 is the “sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP”

Target 14.A Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

• Indicator 14.A.1 is the “proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology”

Target 14.B Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

• Indicator 14.B.1 is the “progress by countries in the degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small-scale fisheries”

Target 14.C Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of The Future We Want

• Indicator 14.C.1 is the “number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea”

A Sustainable Ocean in the interest of Humanity

Achieving the targets and indicators of the SDG14 is relevant not only for the ocean and the marine environment, but is a key enabler for achieving all the other SDGs part of the 2030 Agenda. 

Bibliography:

• https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal14  
• https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/oceans/  
• https://www.globalgoals.org/goals/14-life-below-water/  
• Ocean Literacy for All: A toolkit | IOC UNESCO  
• Goal 14: Life below Water – SDG Tracker
• Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources  

Member States negotiate UN High Seas treaty in New York

World ocean review 7, the thalassophile project common accessibility framework (english version).

Home — Essay Samples — Environment — Water — “Life Below Water”: challenges and opportunities

"Life Below Water": Challenges and Opportunities

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THE SDGS IN ACTION.

What are the sustainable development goals.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

The 17 SDGs are integrated—they recognize that action in one area will affect outcomes in others, and that development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability.

Countries have committed to prioritize progress for those who're furthest behind. The SDGs are designed to end poverty, hunger, AIDS, and discrimination against women and girls.

The creativity, knowhow, technology and financial resources from all of society is necessary to achieve the SDGs in every context.

Eradicating poverty in all its forms remains one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. While the number of people living in extreme poverty dropped by more than half between 1990 and 2015, too many are still struggling for the most basic human needs.

As of 2015, about 736 million people still lived on less than US$1.90 a day; many lack food, clean drinking water and sanitation. Rapid growth in countries such as China and India has lifted millions out of poverty, but progress has been uneven. Women are more likely to be poor than men because they have less paid work, education, and own less property.

Progress has also been limited in other regions, such as South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, which account for 80 percent of those living in extreme poverty. New threats brought on by climate change, conflict and food insecurity, mean even more work is needed to bring people out of poverty.

The SDGs are a bold commitment to finish what we started, and end poverty in all forms and dimensions by 2030. This involves targeting the most vulnerable, increasing basic resources and services, and supporting communities affected by conflict and climate-related disasters.

736 million people still live in extreme poverty.

10 percent of the world’s population live in extreme poverty, down from 36 percent in 1990.

Some 1.3 billion people live in multidimensional poverty.

Half of all people living in poverty are under 18.

One person in every 10 is extremely poor.

Goal targets

• By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions
• Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable
• By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology and financial services, including microfinance
• By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters
• Ensure significant mobilization of resources from a variety of sources, including through enhanced development cooperation, in order to provide adequate and predictable means for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, to implement programmes and policies to end poverty in all its dimensions
• Create sound policy frameworks at the national, regional and international levels, based on pro-poor and gender-sensitive development strategies, to support accelerated investment in poverty eradication actions

SDGs in Action

UNDP’s Engagement at Financing...

Voices of youth in the lead up...

Building a new, secure climate...

Publications.

Accelerating the Green Transit...

Localizing Multidimensional Po...

Mapping Essential Life Support...

Zero hunger.

Zero Hunger

The number of undernourished people has dropped by almost half in the past two decades because of rapid economic growth and increased agricultural productivity. Many developing countries that used to suffer from famine and hunger can now meet their nutritional needs. Central and East Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean have all made huge progress in eradicating extreme hunger.

Unfortunately, extreme hunger and malnutrition remain a huge barrier to development in many countries. There are 821 million people estimated to be chronically undernourished as of 2017, often as a direct consequence of environmental degradation, drought and biodiversity loss. Over 90 million children under five are dangerously underweight. Undernourishment and severe food insecurity appear to be increasing in almost all regions of Africa, as well as in South America.

The SDGs aim to end all forms of hunger and malnutrition by 2030, making sure all people–especially children–have sufficient and nutritious food all year. This involves promoting sustainable agricultural, supporting small-scale farmers and equal access to land, technology and markets. It also requires international cooperation to ensure investment in infrastructure and technology to improve agricultural productivity.

The number of undernourished people reached 821 million in 2017.

In 2017 Asia accounted for nearly two thirds, 63 percent, of the world’s hungry.

Nearly 151 million children under five, 22 percent, were still stunted in 2017.

More than 1 in 8 adults is obese.

1 in 3 women of reproductive age is anemic.

26 percent of workers are employed in agriculture.

• By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and older persons
• By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment
• By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality
• By 2020, maintain the genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and their related wild species, including through soundly managed and diversified seed and plant banks at the national, regional and international levels, and promote access to and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge, as internationally agreed
• Increase investment, including through enhanced international cooperation, in rural infrastructure, agricultural research and extension services, technology development and plant and livestock gene banks in order to enhance agricultural productive capacity in developing countries, in particular least developed countries
• Correct and prevent trade restrictions and distortions in world agricultural markets, including through the parallel elimination of all forms of agricultural export subsidies and all export measures with equivalent effect, in accordance with the mandate of the Doha Development Round
• Adopt measures to ensure the proper functioning of food commodity markets and their derivatives and facilitate timely access to market information, including on food reserves, in order to help limit extreme food price volatility.

One year into war, much remain...

UNDP at the 4th International ...

UNDP at the UN ECOSOC Youth Fo...

"We felt very welcome and acce...

Good health and well-being.

We have made great progress against several leading causes of death and disease. Life expectancy has increased dramatically; infant and maternal mortality rates have declined, we’ve turned the tide on HIV and malaria deaths have halved.

Good health is essential to sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda reflects the complexity and interconnectedness of the two. It takes into account widening economic and social inequalities, rapid urbanization, threats to the climate and the environment, the continuing burden of HIV and other infectious diseases, and emerging challenges such as noncommunicable diseases. Universal health coverage will be integral to achieving SDG 3, ending poverty and reducing inequalities. Emerging global health priorities not explicitly included in the SDGs, including antimicrobial resistance, also demand action.

But the world is off-track to achieve the health-related SDGs. Progress has been uneven, both between and within countries. There’s a 31-year gap between the countries with the shortest and longest life expectancies. And while some countries have made impressive gains, national averages hide that many are being left behind. Multisectoral, rights-based and gender-sensitive approaches are essential to address inequalities and to build good health for all.

At least 400 million people have no basic healthcare, and 40 percent lack social protection.

More than 1.6 billion people live in fragile settings where protracted crises, combined with weak national capacity to deliver basic health services, present a significant challenge to global health.

By the end of 2017, 21.7 million people living with HIV were receiving antiretroviral therapy. Yet more than 15 million people are still waiting for treatment.

Every 2 seconds someone aged 30 to 70 years dies prematurely from noncommunicable diseases - cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, diabetes or cancer.

7 million people die every year from exposure to fine particles in polluted air.

More than one of every three women have experienced either physical or sexual violence at some point in their life resulting in both short- and long-term consequences for their physical, mental, and sexual and reproductive health.

• By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births
• By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births
• By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases
• By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being
• Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol
• By 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents
• By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes
• Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all
• By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination
• Strengthen the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in all countries, as appropriate
• Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and noncommunicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries, provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines, in accordance with the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, which affirms the right of developing countries to use to the full the provisions in the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights regarding flexibilities to protect public health, and, in particular, provide access to medicines for all
• Substantially increase health financing and the recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce in developing countries, especially in least developed countries and small island developing States
• Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks

HIV and Health Annual Report 2...

Bridging Gender Gaps with a Su...

How Do Investments in Human Ca...

Quality education.

Since 2000, there has been enormous progress in achieving the target of universal primary education. The total enrollment rate in developing regions reached 91 percent in 2015, and the worldwide number of children out of school has dropped by almost half. There has also been a dramatic increase in literacy rates, and many more girls are in school than ever before. These are all remarkable successes.

Progress has also been tough in some developing regions due to high levels of poverty, armed conflicts and other emergencies. In Western Asia and North Africa, ongoing armed conflict has seen an increase in the number of children out of school. This is a worrying trend. While Sub-Saharan Africa made the greatest progress in primary school enrollment among all developing regions – from 52 percent in 1990, up to 78 percent in 2012 – large disparities still remain. Children from the poorest households are up to four times more likely to be out of school than those of the richest households. Disparities between rural and urban areas also remain high.

Achieving inclusive and quality education for all reaffirms the belief that education is one of the most powerful and proven vehicles for sustainable development. This goal ensures that all girls and boys complete free primary and secondary schooling by 2030. It also aims to provide equal access to affordable vocational training, to eliminate gender and wealth disparities, and achieve universal access to a quality higher education.

Enrollment in primary education in developing countries has reached 91 percent.

Still, 57 million primary-aged children remain out of school, more than half of them in sub-Saharan Africa.

In developing countries, one in four girls is not in school.

About half of all out-of-school children of primary school age live in conflict-affected areas.

103 million youth worldwide lack basic literacy skills, and more than 60 percent of them are women.

6 out of 10 children and adolescents are not achieving a minimum level of proficiency in reading and math.

• By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and Goal-4 effective learning outcomes
• By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and preprimary education so that they are ready for primary education
• By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university
• By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship
• By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations
• By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy
• By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development
• Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, nonviolent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all
• By 2020, substantially expand globally the number of scholarships available to developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States and African countries, for enrolment in higher education, including vocational training and information and communications technology, technical, engineering and scientific programmes, in developed countries and other developing countries
• By 2030, substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers, including through international cooperation for teacher training in developing countries, especially least developed countries and small island developing states

Using technology to support ne...

The future of education

A brighter future: Lillian

Gender equality.

Gender Equality

Ending all discrimination against women and girls is not only a basic human right, it’s crucial for sustainable future; it’s proven that empowering women and girls helps economic growth and development.

UNDP has made gender equality central to its work and we’ve seen remarkable progress in the past 20 years. There are more girls in school now compared to 15 years ago, and most regions have reached gender parity in primary education.

But although there are more women than ever in the labour market, there are still large inequalities in some regions, with women systematically denied the same work rights as men. Sexual violence and exploitation, the unequal division of unpaid care and domestic work, and discrimination in public office all remain huge barriers. Climate change and disasters continue to have a disproportionate effect on women and children, as do conflict and migration.

It is vital to give women equal rights land and property, sexual and reproductive health, and to technology and the internet. Today there are more women in public office than ever before, but encouraging more women leaders will help achieve greater gender equality.

Women earn only 77 cents for every dollar that men get for the same work.

35 percent of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence.

Women represent just 13 percent of agricultural landholders.

Almost 750 million women and girls alive today were married before their 18th birthday.

Two thirds of developing countries have achieved gender parity in primary education.

Only 24 percent of national parliamentarians were women as of November 2018, a small increase from 11.3 percent in 1995.

• End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere
• Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation
• Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation
• Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate
• Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decisionmaking in political, economic and public life
• Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences
• Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and natural resources, in accordance with national laws
• Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women
• Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels

SDG Push through Social Protec...

Climate governance, adaptation...

Clean water and sanitation.

Water scarcity affects more than 40 percent of people, an alarming figure that is projected to rise as temperatures do. Although 2.1 billion people have improved water sanitation since 1990, dwindling drinking water supplies are affecting every continent.

More and more countries are experiencing water stress, and increasing drought and desertification is already worsening these trends. By 2050, it is projected that at least one in four people will suffer recurring water shortages.

Safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030 requires we invest in adequate infrastructure, provide sanitation facilities, and encourage hygiene. Protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems is essential.

Ensuring universal safe and affordable drinking water involves reaching over 800 million people who lack basic services and improving accessibility and safety of services for over two billion.

In 2015, 4.5 billion people lacked safely managed sanitation services (with adequately disposed or treated excreta) and 2.3 billion lacked even basic sanitation.

71 percent of the global population, 5.2 billion people, had safely-managed drinking water in 2015, but 844 million people still lacked even basic drinking water.

39 percent of the global population, 2.9 billion people, had safe sanitation in 2015, but 2.3 billion people still lacked basic sanitation. 892 million people practiced open defecation.

80 percent of wastewater goes into waterways without adequate treatment.

Water stress affects more than 2 billion people, with this figure projected to increase.

80 percent of countries have laid the foundations for integrated water resources management.

The world has lost 70 percent of its natural wetlands over the last century.

• By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all
• By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations
• By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally
• By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity
• By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate
• By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes
• By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies
• Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management

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Affordable and clean energy.

Between 2000 and 2018, the number of people with electricity increased from 78 to 90 percent, and the numbers without electricity dipped to 789 million.

Yet as the population continues to grow, so will the demand for cheap energy, and an economy reliant on fossil fuels is creating drastic changes to our climate.

Investing in solar, wind and thermal power, improving energy productivity, and ensuring energy for all is vital if we are to achieve SDG 7 by 2030.

Expanding infrastructure and upgrading technology to provide clean and more efficient energy in all countries will encourage growth and help the environment.  

One out of 10 people still lacks electricity, and most live in rural areas of the developing world. More than half are in sub-Saharan Africa.

Energy is by far the main contributor to climate change. It accounts for 73 percent of human-caused greenhouse gases.

Energy efficiency is key; the right efficiency policies could enable the world to achieve more than 40 percent of the emissions cuts needed to reach its climate goals without new technology.

Almost a third of the world’s population—2.8 billion—rely on polluting and unhealthy fuels for cooking.

As of 2017, 17.5 percent of power was generated through renewable sources.

The renewable energy sector employed a record 11.5 million people in 2019. The changes needed in energy production and uses to achieve the Paris Agreement target of limiting the rise in temperature to below 2C can create 18 million jobs.

• By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services
• By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
• By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
• By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology
• By 2030, expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all in developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States, and land-locked developing coun

The big switch

Targeted and Inclusive Approac...

Breaking the cycle of poverty ...

Decent work and economic growth.

Over the past 25 years the number of workers living in extreme poverty has declined dramatically, despite the lasting impact of the 2008 economic crisis and global recession. In developing countries, the middle class now makes up more than 34 percent of total employment – a number that has almost tripled between 1991 and 2015.

However, as the global economy continues to recover we are seeing slower growth, widening inequalities, and not enough jobs to keep up with a growing labour force. According to the International Labour Organization, more than 204 million people were unemployed in 2015.

The SDGs promote sustained economic growth, higher levels of productivity and technological innovation. Encouraging entrepreneurship and job creation are key to this, as are effective measures to eradicate forced labour, slavery and human trafficking. With these targets in mind, the goal is to achieve full and productive employment, and decent work, for all women and men by 2030.

An estimated 172 million people worldwide were without work in 2018 - an unemployment rate of 5 percent.

As a result of an expanding labour force, the number of unemployed is projected to increase by 1 million every year and reach 174 million by 2020.

Some 700 million workers lived in extreme or moderate poverty in 2018, with less than US$3.20 per day.

Women’s participation in the labour force stood at 48 per cent in 2018, compared with 75 percent for men. Around 3 in 5 of the 3.5 billion people in the labour force in 2018 were men.

Overall, 2 billion workers were in informal employment in 2016, accounting for 61 per cent of the world’s workforce.

Many more women than men are underutilized in the labour force—85 million compared to 55 million.

• Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 per cent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries
• Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors
• Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services
• Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, in accordance with the 10-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production, with developed countries taking the lead
• By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value
• By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training
• Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms
• Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment
• By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products
• Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all
• Increase Aid for Trade support for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, including through the Enhanced Integrated Framework for Trade-Related Technical Assistance to Least Developed Countries
• By 2020, develop and operationalize a global strategy for youth employment and implement the Global Jobs Pact of the International Labour Organization

Preparing Cities for Climate D...

Industry, innovation and infrastructure.

Investment in infrastructure and innovation are crucial drivers of economic growth and development. With over half the world population now living in cities, mass transport and renewable energy are becoming ever more important, as are the growth of new industries and information and communication technologies.

Technological progress is also key to finding lasting solutions to both economic and environmental challenges, such as providing new jobs and promoting energy efficiency. Promoting sustainable industries, and investing in scientific research and innovation, are all important ways to facilitate sustainable development.

More than 4 billion people still do not have access to the Internet, and 90 percent are from the developing world. Bridging this digital divide is crucial to ensure equal access to information and knowledge, as well as foster innovation and entrepreneurship.   

Worldwide, 2.3 billion people lack access to basic sanitation.

In some low-income African countries, infrastructure constraints cut businesses’ productivity by around 40 percent.

2.6 billion people in developing countries do not have access to constant electricity.

More than 4 billion people still do not have access to the Internet; 90 percent of them are in the developing world.

The renewable energy sectors currently employ more than 2.3 million people; the number could reach 20 million by 2030.

In developing countries, barely 30 percent of agricultural products undergo industrial processing, compared to 98 percent high-income countries.

• Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all
• Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product, in line with national circumstances, and double its share in least developed countries
• Increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises, in particular in developing countries, to financial services, including affordable credit, and their integration into value chains and markets
• By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities
• Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending
• Facilitate sustainable and resilient infrastructure development in developing countries through enhanced financial, technological and technical support to African countries, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States 18
• Support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries, including by ensuring a conducive policy environment for, inter alia, industrial diversification and value addition to commodities
• Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries by 2020

How Digital is Transforming th...

Popping the bottle

Small Island Digital States: H...

Reduced inequalities.

Income inequality is on the rise—the richest 10 percent have up to 40 percent of global income whereas the poorest 10 percent earn only between 2 to 7 percent. If we take into account population growth inequality in developing countries, inequality has increased by 11 percent.

Income inequality has increased in nearly everywhere in recent decades, but at different speeds. It’s lowest in Europe and highest in the Middle East.

These widening disparities require sound policies to empower lower income earners, and promote economic inclusion of all regardless of sex, race or ethnicity.

Income inequality requires global solutions. This involves improving the regulation and monitoring of financial markets and institutions, encouraging development assistance and foreign direct investment to regions where the need is greatest. Facilitating the safe migration and mobility of people is also key to bridging the widening divide.

In 2016, 22 percent of global income was received by the top 1 percent compared with 10 percent of income for the bottom 50 percent.

In 1980, the top one percent had 16 percent of global income. The bottom 50 percent had 8 percent of income.

Economic inequality is largely driven by the unequal ownership of capital. Since 1980, very large transfers of public to private wealth occurred in nearly all countries. The global wealth share of the top 1 percent was 33 percent in 2016.

Under "business as usual", the top 1 percent global wealth will reach 39 percent by 2050.

Women spend, on average, twice as much time on unpaid housework as men.

Women have as much access to financial services as men in just 60 percent of the countries assessed and to land ownership in just 42 percent of the countries assessed.

• By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 per cent of the population at a rate higher than the national average
• By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status
• Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard
• Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality
• Improve the regulation and monitoring of global financial markets and institutions and strengthen the implementation of such regulations
• Ensure enhanced representation and voice for developing countries in decision-making in global international economic and financial institutions in order to deliver more effective, credible, accountable and legitimate institutions
• Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies
• Implement the principle of special and differential treatment for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, in accordance with World Trade Organization agreements
• Encourage official development assistance and financial flows, including foreign direct investment, to States where the need is greatest, in particular least developed countries, African countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, in accordance with their national plans and programmes
• By 2030, reduce to less than 3 per cent the transaction costs of migrant remittances and eliminate remittance corridors with costs higher than 5 per cent

Sustainable cities and communities

More than half of us  live in cities. By 2050, two-thirds of all humanity—6.5 billion people—will be urban. Sustainable development cannot be achieved without significantly transforming the way we build and manage our urban spaces.

The rapid growth of cities—a result of rising populations and increasing migration—has led to a boom in mega-cities, especially in the developing world, and slums are becoming a more significant feature of urban life.

Making cities sustainable means creating career and business opportunities, safe and affordable housing, and building resilient societies and economies. It involves investment in public transport, creating green public spaces, and improving urban planning and management in participatory and inclusive ways.

In 2018, 4.2 billion people, 55 percent of the world’s population, lived in cities. By 2050, the urban population is expected to reach 6.5 billion.

Cities occupy just 3 percent of the Earth’s land but account for 60 to 80 percent of energy consumption and at least 70 percent of carbon emissions.

828 million people are estimated to live in slums, and the number is rising.

In 1990, there were 10 cities with 10 million people or more; by 2014, the number of mega-cities rose to 28, and was expected to reach 33 by 2018. In the future, 9 out of 10 mega-cities will be in the developing world.

In the coming decades, 90 percent of urban expansion will be in the developing world.

The economic role of cities is significant. They generate about 80 percent of the global GDP.

• By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums
• By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons
• By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries
• Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage
• By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations
• By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management
• By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities
• Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning
• By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels
• Support least developed countries, including through financial and technical assistance, in building sustainable and resilient buildings utilizing local materials

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Responsible consumption and production.

Achieving economic growth and sustainable development requires that we urgently reduce our ecological footprint by changing the way we produce and consume goods and resources. Agriculture is the biggest user of water worldwide, and irrigation now claims close to 70 percent of all freshwater for human use.

The efficient management of our shared natural resources, and the way we dispose of toxic waste and pollutants, are important targets to achieve this goal. Encouraging industries, businesses and consumers to recycle and reduce waste is equally important, as is supporting developing countries to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption by 2030.

A large share of the world population is still consuming far too little to meet even their basic needs.  Halving the per capita of global food waste at the retailer and consumer levels is also important for creating more efficient production and supply chains. This can help with food security, and shift us towards a more resource efficient economy.

1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted every year, while almost 2 billion people go hungry or undernourished.

The food sector accounts for around 22 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions, largely from the conversion of forests into farmland.

Globally, 2 billion people are overweight or obese.

Only 3 percent of the world’s water is fresh (drinkable), and humans are using it faster than nature can replenish it.

If people everywhere switched to energy efficient lightbulbs, the world would save US$120 billion annually.

One-fifth of the world’s final energy consumption in 2013 was from renewable sources.

• Implement the 10-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production, all countries taking action, with developed countries taking the lead, taking into account the development and capabilities of developing countries
• By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
• By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses
• By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment
• By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse
• Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle
• Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities
• By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature
• Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production
• Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products
• Rationalize inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption by removing market distortions, in accordance with national circumstances, including by restructuring taxation and phasing out those harmful subsidies, where they exist, to reflect their environmental impacts, taking fully into account the specific needs and conditions of developing countries and minimizing the possible adverse impacts on their development in a manner that protects the poor and the affected communities

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Climate action.

There is no country that is not experiencing the drastic effects of climate change. Greenhouse gas emissions are more than 50 percent higher than in 1990. Global warming is causing long-lasting changes to our climate system, which threatens irreversible consequences if we do not act.

The annual average economic losses from climate-related disasters are in the hundreds of billions of dollars. This is not to mention the human impact of geo-physical disasters, which are 91 percent climate-related, and which between 1998 and 2017 killed 1.3 million people, and left 4.4 billion injured. The goal aims to mobilize US$100 billion annually by 2020 to address the needs of developing countries to both adapt to climate change and invest in low-carbon development.

Supporting vulnerable regions will directly contribute not only to Goal 13 but also to the other SDGs. These actions must also go hand in hand with efforts to integrate disaster risk measures, sustainable natural resource management, and human security into national development strategies. It is still possible, with strong political will, increased investment, and using existing technology, to limit the increase in global mean temperature to two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, aiming at 1.5 ° C, but this requires urgent and ambitious collective action.

As of 2017 humans are estimated to have caused approximately 1.0°C of global warming above pre-industrial levels.

Sea levels have risen by about 20 cm (8 inches) since 1880 and are projected to rise another 30–122 cm (1 to 4 feet) by 2100.

To limit warming to 1.5C, global net CO2 emissions must drop by 45% between 2010 and 2030, and reach net zero around 2050.

Climate pledges under The Paris Agreement cover only one third of the emissions reductions needed to keep the world below 2°C.

Bold climate action could trigger at least US$26 trillion in economic benefits by 2030.

The energy sector alone will create around 18 million more jobs by 2030, focused specifically on sustainable energy.

• Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries
• Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning
• Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning
• Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation and fully operationalize the Green Climate Fund through its capitalization as soon as possible
• Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing States, including focusing on women, youth and local and marginalized communities

Life Below Water

The world’s oceans – their temperature, chemistry, currents and life – drive global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. How we manage this vital resource is essential for humanity as a whole, and to counterbalance the effects of climate change.

Over three billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods. However, today we are seeing 30 percent of the world’s fish stocks overexploited, reaching below the level at which they can produce sustainable yields.

Oceans also absorb about 30 percent of the carbon dioxide produced by humans, and we are seeing a 26 percent rise in ocean acidification since the beginning of the industrial revolution. Marine pollution, an overwhelming majority of which comes from land-based sources, is reaching alarming levels, with an average of 13,000 pieces of plastic litter to be found on every square kilometre of ocean.

The SDGs aim to sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems from pollution, as well as address the impacts of ocean acidification. Enhancing conservation and the sustainable use of ocean-based resources through international law will also help mitigate some of the challenges facing our oceans.

The ocean covers three quarters of the Earth’s surface and represents 99 percent of the living space on the planet by volume.

The ocean contains nearly 200,000 identified species, but actual numbers may lie in the millions.

As much as 40 percent of the ocean is heavily affected by pollution, depleted fisheries, loss of coastal habitats and other human activities.

The ocean absorbs about 30 percent of carbon dioxide produced by humans, buffering the impacts of global warming.

More than 3 billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods.

The market value of marine and coastal resources and industries is estimated at US$3 trillion per year, about 5 percent of global GDP.

• By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
• By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
• Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
• By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
• By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
• By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
• By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
• Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
• Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
• Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of The Future We Want

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Human life depends on the earth as much as the ocean for our sustenance and livelihoods. Plant life provides 80 percent of the human diet, and we rely on agriculture as an important economic resources. Forests cover 30 percent of the Earth’s surface, provide vital habitats for millions of species, and important sources for clean air and water, as well as being crucial for combating climate change.

Every year, 13 million hectares of forests are lost, while the persistent degradation of drylands has led to the desertification of 3.6 billion hectares, disproportionately affecting poor communities.

While 15 percent of land is protected, biodiversity is still at risk. Nearly 7,000 species of animals and plants have been illegally traded. Wildlife trafficking not only erodes biodiversity, but creates insecurity, fuels conflict, and feeds corruption.

Urgent action must be taken to reduce the loss of natural habitats and biodiversity which are part of our common heritage and support global food and water security, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and peace and security.

Around 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihoods.

Forests are home to more than 80 percent of all terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects.

2.6 billion people depend directly on agriculture for a living.

Nature-based climate solutions can contribute about a third of CO2 reductions by 2030.

The value of ecosystems to human livelihoods and well-being is $US125 trillion per year.v

Mountain regions provide 60-80 percent of the Earth's fresh water.

• By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements
• By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally
• By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world
• By 2030, ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity, in order to enhance their capacity to provide benefits that are essential for sustainable development
• Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species
• Promote fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and promote appropriate access to such resources, as internationally agreed
• Take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna and address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products
• By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species
• By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts
• Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems
• Mobilize significant resources from all sources and at all levels to finance sustainable forest management and provide adequate incentives to developing countries to advance such management, including for conservation and reforestation
• Enhance global support for efforts to combat poaching and trafficking of protected species, including by increasing the capacity of local communities to pursue sustainable livelihood opportunities

Peace, justice and strong institutions

We cannot hope for sustainable development without peace, stability, human rights and effective governance, based on the rule of law. Yet our world is increasingly divided. Some regions enjoy peace, security and prosperity, while others fall into seemingly endless cycles of conflict and violence. This is not inevitable and must be addressed.

Armed violence and insecurity have a destructive impact on a country’s development, affecting economic growth, and often resulting in grievances that last for generations. Sexual violence, crime, exploitation and torture are also prevalent where there is conflict, or no rule of law, and countries must take measures to protect those who are most at risk

The SDGs aim to significantly reduce all forms of violence, and work with governments and communities to end conflict and insecurity. Promoting the rule of law and human rights are key to this process, as is reducing the flow of illicit arms and strengthening the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance.

By the end of 2017, 68.5 million people had been forcibly displaced as a result of persecution, conflict, violence or human rights violations.

There are at least 10 million stateless people who have been denied nationality and its related rights.

Corruption, bribery, theft and tax evasion cost developing countries US$1.26 trillion per year.

49 countries lack laws protecting women from domestic violence.

In 46 countries, women now hold more than 30 percent of seats in at least one chamber of national parliament.

1 billion people are legally ‘invisible’ because they cannot prove who they are. This includes an estimated 625 million children under 14 whose births were never registered.

• Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
• End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children
• Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
• By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime
• Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms
• Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels
• Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels
• Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance
• By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration
• Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements
• Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime
• Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development

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Partnerships for the goals.

The SDGs can only be realized with strong global partnerships and cooperation. Official Development Assistance remained steady but below target, at US$147 billion in 2017. While humanitarian crises brought on by conflict or natural disasters continue to demand more financial resources and aid. Many countries also require Official Development Assistance to encourage growth and trade.

The world is more interconnected than ever. Improving access to technology and knowledge is an important way to share ideas and foster innovation. Coordinating policies to help developing countries manage their debt, as well as promoting investment for the least developed, is vital for sustainable growth and development.

The goals aim to enhance North-South and South-South cooperation by supporting national plans to achieve all the targets. Promoting international trade, and helping developing countries increase their exports is all part of achieving a universal rules-based and equitable trading system that is fair and open and benefits all.

The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) says achieving SDGs will require US$5 trillion to $7 trillion in annual investment.

Total official development assistance reached US$147.2 billion in 2017.

In 2017, international remittances totaled US$613 billion; 76 percent of it went to developing countries.

In 2016, 6 countries met the international target to keep official development assistance at or above 0.7 percent of gross national income.

Sustainable and responsible investments represent high-potential sources of capital for SDGs. As of 2016, US$18.2 trillion was invested in this asset class.

The bond market for sustainable business is growing. In 2018 global green bonds reached US$155.5billion, up 78 percent from previous year.

• Strengthen domestic resource mobilization, including through international support to developing countries, to improve domestic capacity for tax and other revenue collection
• Developed countries to implement fully their official development assistance commitments, including the commitment by many developed countries to achieve the target of 0.7 per cent of ODA/GNI to developing countries and 0.15 to 0.20 per cent of ODA/GNI to least developed countries ODA providers are encouraged to consider setting a target to provide at least 0.20 per cent of ODA/GNI to least developed countries
• Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources
• Assist developing countries in attaining long-term debt sustainability through coordinated policies aimed at fostering debt financing, debt relief and debt restructuring, as appropriate, and address the external debt of highly indebted poor countries to reduce debt distress
• Adopt and implement investment promotion regimes for least developed countries  
• Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing on mutually agreed terms, including through improved coordination among existing mechanisms, in particular at the United Nations level, and through a global technology facilitation mechanism
• Promote the development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries on favourable terms, including on concessional and preferential terms, as mutually agreed
• Fully operationalize the technology bank and science, technology and innovation capacity-building mechanism for least developed countries by 2017 and enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology  

Capacity building

• Enhance international support for implementing effective and targeted capacity-building in developing countries to support national plans to implement all the sustainable development goals, including through North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation  
• Promote a universal, rules-based, open, non-discriminatory and equitable multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organization, including through the conclusion of negotiations under its Doha Development Agenda
• Significantly increase the exports of developing countries, in particular with a view to doubling the least developed countries’ share of global exports by 2020
• Realize timely implementation of duty-free and quota-free market access on a lasting basis for all least developed countries, consistent with World Trade Organization decisions, including by ensuring that preferential rules of origin applicable to imports from least developed countries are transparent and simple, and contribute to facilitating market access  

Systemic issues

Policy and institutional coherence

• Enhance global macroeconomic stability, including through policy coordination and policy coherence
• Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development
• Respect each country’s policy space and leadership to establish and implement policies for poverty eradication and sustainable development  

Multi-stakeholder partnerships

• Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries, in particular developing countries
• Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships  

Data, monitoring and accountability

• By 2020, enhance capacity-building support to developing countries, including for least developed countries and small island developing States, to increase significantly the availability of high-quality, timely and reliable data disaggregated by income, gender, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability, geographic location and other characteristics relevant in national contexts
• By 2030, build on existing initiatives to develop measurements of progress on sustainable development that complement gross domestic product, and support statistical capacity-building in developing countries

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Sustainable Development Goals Integration

Emerging Technologies pp 453–468 Cite as

SDG-14: Life Below Water

• Sinan Küfeoğlu 2  
• Open Access
• First Online: 12 July 2022

76k Accesses

6 Altmetric

Part of the book series: Sustainable Development Goals Series ((SDGS))

Global systems and processes that assure the supply of rainwater, drinking water and oxygen are regulated by oceanic temperature chemistry, currents and life. Pollution, diminished fisheries and the loss of coastal habitats all have negative impacts on the ocean’s sustainability. Such activities have severely impacted around 40% of the world’s oceans. SDG-14, Life Below Water, aims to conserve marine ecosystems by establishing regulations for removing pollutants from the sea, decreasing sea acidification and regulating the fishing sector to ensure sustainable fishing. As a result, the major incentive for this goal is to protect and utilise marine ecosystem services sustainably. This chapter presents the business models of 36 companies and use cases that employ emerging technologies and create value in SDG-14. We should highlight that one use case can be related to more than one SDG and it can make use of multiple emerging technologies.

You have full access to this open access chapter,  Download chapter PDF

Oceans covering nearly 3/4 of the planet’s surface contain 97% of the planet’s water and account for 99% of living space by surface area. Nonetheless, nearly 95% of the ocean remains unknown, 91% of oceanic species are still unclassified, and a large number of fish species (1851 as of 2010) are threatened with extinction. Even though human beings live mostly on continents, they are heavily reliant on the oceans. Oceanic processes and biodiversity generate various ecological functions, enabling many species to live on the Earth. Moreover, coastal and marine resources contribute a total of US$28 trillion to the global economy on an annual basis. Noticeably, oceans absorb approximately 40% of the carbon dioxide emitted by humans, thereby mitigating the effects of global warming. Moreover, the oceans are the world’s primary protein resources, with nearly 3 billion people relying on them. The estimated market value of such marine and coastal resources and industries is approximately US$3 trillion per year. On the other hand, the quality and biodiversity of marine ecosystems are rapidly declining. Because of primarily human-caused activities, it may be too late to save the oceans if action is not taken quickly. As a result, countries must take precautionary measures to protect marine ecosystems and improve the quality of biodiversity beneath the sea.

Global systems and processes that assure the supply of rainwater, drinking water and oxygen are regulated by oceanic temperature chemistry, currents and life. Pollution, diminished fisheries and the loss of coastal habitats all have negative impacts on the ocean’s sustainability. Such activities have severely impacted around 40% of the world’s oceans. There is also the economic impact. Ocean fisheries are now generating $58 billion less per year than they could be due to unregulated fishing (Pandey et al. 2021 ). Many of today’s and future concerns, such as food security and climate change, as well as the availability of energy and natural resources, are recognised as dependent on the oceans (Franco et al. 2020 ). By increasing fish catches, income and improved health are two ways that Marine Protected Areas help ease poverty. They also contribute to gender equality because women own many small-scale fisheries. The maritime environment is also home to a wide variety of magnificent species, ranging from single-celled organisms to the world’s largest animal – the blue whale. Moreover, coral reefs, which are among the world’s most diversified ecosystems, also lie within the oceans (Nicklin and Cornwell 2020 ). The utilisation of the sea and its resources for long-term economic development (blue economy), which contributes to today’s and tomorrow’s prosperity, is growing rapidly; however, the oceans are under stress. They are already overexploited, contaminated and threatened by global warming (Franco et al. 2020 ). Debris levels in the world’s oceans are rising, causing a severe environmental and economic threat. Entanglement or swallowing of trash by organisms negatively influences biodiversity, as it can kill or prevent species from breeding (Nicklin and Cornwell 2020 ). The ocean has absorbed a considerable amount of carbon dioxide as carbon emissions have gone up significantly, causing acidification. Rising sea levels and temperatures are causing biodiversity and habitat loss and changes in the composition of fish stocks. Furthermore, approximately 20% of the world’s coral reefs have been seriously damaged, with no signs of recovery. Due to human pressures, approximately 24% of the remaining reefs are in impending danger of collapsing, with another 26% facing a longer-term risk of collapsing (Nicklin and Cornwell 2020 ). In addition to the coral reef problem, overfishing and decreased fish stocks are threatening future ocean development in many parts of the world (Franco et al. 2020 ). The value of lost economic gains from the fishing industry is estimated to be over $50 billion per year. Poor ocean management practices are estimated to cost the global economy at least US$200 billion each year, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. Climate change will increase the cost of ocean damage by an additional US$322 billion per year by 2050 if no mitigating measures are taken (Nicklin and Cornwell 2020 ).

SDG-14 aims to conserve marine ecosystems by establishing regulations for removing pollutants from the sea, decreasing sea acidification and regulating the fishing sector to ensure sustainable fishing. As a result, the major incentive for this goal is to protect and utilise marine ecosystem services sustainably. SDG-14 also intends to restrict fishery subsidies that lead to overfishing in specific areas. Several fish species are being rapidly depleted as a result of uncontrolled and subsidised fishing. There is greater competition in markets with limited resources to catch as many fish as possible. Therefore, member states must develop and implement legislation to restrict fishing operations to ensure the fish stock’s long-term viability. States must coordinate to control fishing operations in regions where the coast is shared by more than one state. Pollution from land-based activities poses a danger to coastal life. If pollution from the land is poured into the sea without being treated, it will produce eutrophication, characterised by excessive algae development. While eutrophication may appear to be a natural process, it deprives the water of oxygen, which breaks the fish bio-chain. As a result, eutrophication may result in the extinction of living species in the coastal area. Another major issue is ocean acidification. The origins and consequences of ocean acidification are still a source of scientific dispute. However, it is impossible to predict exactly how the ocean food chain would be affected in terms of life. What we do know is that some micro-species are more susceptible than others. As a result, the future of these micro-species may be jeopardised. We need to develop immediate ways to mitigate abnormal levels of acidity as the rate of ocean acidification rises. According to the United Nations, at least 10% of marine and coastal habitats should be legally protected (Gulseven 2020 ). The long-term benefits largely compensate for the short-term costs of acting. However, while progress is being made, substantial obstacles remain. According to the Convention on Biological Diversity, scaled-up efforts to sustain the global ocean need a one-time public expenditure of US$ 32 billion and ongoing expenses of US$ 21 billion each year. Apart from the need for considerable multi-year fundraising to reach the level of ambition, the ongoing negative aspect of climate change; inadequate industrial, agricultural and household waste management; chemical and plastic pollution; corruption; and a lack of effective governance activities, the alarming rate of biodiversity loss in ecosystems and wilful ignorance of scientific evidence must all be resolved (Nicklin and Cornwell 2020 ). Imagine how powerful it would be if we collectively harnessed “the ocean in us” as a driving force to increase ocean ambition and enhance ocean action as our planet’s “Blue Lung” as we need to see the nexus between the ocean and sustainable human, social and economic development (Nicklin and Cornwell 2020 ). Figure 16.1 summarises the targets and sub-targets of SDG-14 for 2030, which the United Nations present.

Targets of SDG-14. (UNDP 2021)

The oceans encompass more than 70% of the Earth’s crust. Oceans create more than 50% of the planet’s oxygen. They help regulate the climate and offer vital habitats for a wide range of marine and coastal organisms. Oceans also contribute to the global economy and regional life by serving as a means of transport and trading (Kan et al. 2020 ). Marine fisheries employ 57 million people worldwide and are the major protein source for more than half of the population in LDCs, with over 3 billion people relying on oceans and terrestrial biodiversity for a living. That’s why the health of the oceans, the world’s water resources and the life below water is important as a matter of being an economic resource and vital to many of the world’s population. The yearly market value of coastal and marine sources and businesses is estimated to be $3 hundred billion or approximately equal to 5% of total global GDP. Nonetheless, human activities, such as pollution, reduced fisheries and coastal habitat loss, are harming up to 40% of the seas. The oceans are the planet’s largest source of protein, with over 3 billion human beings dependent on them as their main resource. Nonetheless, the proportion of stocks fished at unsustainable levels was 28.8% in 2011: a slight reduction from the previous high of 32.5% in 2008 but still cause for concern. Fisheries, food, aquaculture and the tourism sector are particularly dependent on clean oceans and coastal areas. They play an important role in dealing with problems to the well-being of our oceans and coastal regions. Notwithstanding, if natural coastal flood protection is destroyed or food security is jeopardised, all sectors may suffer, and all may contribute to reducing marine pollution or the maintenance of sustainable fisheries (PwC 2021 ).

The ocean is a massive economic resource. Ninety percent of the planet’s commodities are traded throughout the seas. Millions of people operate in fishery and mariculture, shipping and docks, tourist industry, offshore energy, medicines and cosmetics, which all depend on marine-related sources (Stuchtey et al. 2021 ). The ocean food industry itself supports up to 237 million employment, encompassing fishery, mariculture and processing. Thousands of people operate in other ocean industries, such as shipping, docks, energy and the tourist industry, and many others are indirectly related to the marine sector and economy. Coastal ecosystems protect millions of people, foster wildlife, detoxify pollutants that run off the land and serve as nursery grounds for fisheries, boosting food supply and giving jobs. They additionally serve as a source of money. Coral reefs on their own generate $11.5 billion worldwide tourism each year, supporting more than 100 nations and giving food and employment to the locals (Stuchtey et al. 2021 ).

Investing in a healthy ocean economy benefits more than simply the ocean. They are a fantastic business prospect. Putting money $2.8 hundred billion presently within only four ocean-based solutions – offshore wind production, sustainable ocean-based production of food, international logistics, decarbonisation and mangrove restoration and production – would yield a real earning of $15.5 hundred billion by 2050, a benefit-cost ratio of more than 5 (Stuchtey et al. 2021 ). One single source of stress, like overfishing event pollution, can cause significant harm. Moreover, single stressors regionally reinforce each other, with devastating effects on the ecosystem. If nothing is done, these issues might cost the world economy more than $400 billion per year by 2050. The yearly cost might reach $2 trillion by 2100 (Stuchtey et al. 2021 ).

The “Blue Economy (BE)” or “Oceans/Marine Economy” has been extensively supported by a variety of relevant stakeholders in recent years as a paradigm or strategy for protecting the oceans and water sources. The notion of BE arose from the 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro. The concept “Blue Economy” is being used in a variety of contexts, and related topics such as “ocean economy” or “marine economy” are used without clarity (Lee et al. 2020 ).

Approximately 820 million people rely on fisheries for income, both directly and indirectly, to ensure food security (Steinbach et al. 2017 ). Furthermore, fisheries offer 20% of the protein consumed by more than three billion people. Fish accounts for 50–60% of total dietary protein in several regions of our planet, including South Asia, Southeast Asia, West Africa and SIDS (small island developing states). Over the last five decades, the worldwide fishing sector has experienced tremendous growth. The yearly fish caught globally increased from approximately 20 metric tonnes in 1950 to more than 90 metric tonnes in 2014. Annual per capita fish intake increased from roughly 10 kilogrammes in the 1960s to nearly 20 kilogrammes in 2013. Production and consumption of fisheries have increased at a cost. According to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), solely 11% of world fish stocks were under-fished in 2013. On the other hand, 58.1% were completely fished, and 31.4% were fished at biologically unsustainable levels. With a projected worldwide population of 9 billion people by 2050, overfishing has major consequences for the overall health of marine ecosystems, poverty reduction and food security. Millions of livelihoods might be lost if threats to oceans and the services they provide are not addressed, and many people could lose access to a food staple that they rely on to survive (Steinbach et al. 2017 ). Effects of the climate changes on the oceans, such as sea-level rise, storms and consequences on fisheries, are expected to cost between US 600 million and US 2 trillion dollars by 2100. SIDS and coastal communities in developing countries are threatened by climate change, which poses a threat to their well-being and survival. For example, the climate crisis is expected to boost the intensity and frequency of disasters such as floods and hurricanes, which has already started to cost several small-island developing countries more than 20% of their GDP (gross domestic product). Almost a quarter of the world population is particularly vulnerable since at least 20% are still categorised as least developed countries (LDCs) (Recuero Virto 2018 ).

SDG-14 advocates for the sustainable use and conservation of marine resources, oceans and seas and achieving sustainable development (Steinbach et al. 2017 ). SDG-14 indicators rely on present short-term relationships. They will undoubtedly benefit society in the long run, while building marine protected areas, reducing harmful fishing subsidies and ending overfishing may incur short-term costs for individuals. Through suitable mechanisms, policies can be made to reduce these costs. As a result, these trade-offs may be spurious, and achieving decent work and economic growth does not always require giving up aquatic life (Gulseven 2020 ).

For the future, new data science and engineering approaches offer optimism that data will be acquired for a certain purpose in the first place but subsequently used for various assessments other than the original one, following the principle of “collect once, use many times”. By combining data from various old and new sources, researchers will be able to use artificial intelligence techniques, such as machine learning (ML) to acquire fresh perspectives on ocean dynamics. New algorithms have become an effective and efficient tool for accurately analysing oceanographic and environmental datasets. Prediction of ocean weather and climate, habitat modelling, distribution, species detection, coastal water observation, marine resource management, identification of oil spills and pollution and wave modelling are the key applications of machine learning in oceanography. Nonetheless, future advances are projected to expand the number of users and lead to their integration into daily data administration (UNESCO 2020 ).

16.1 Companies and Use Cases

Table 16.1 presents the business models of 36 companies and use cases that employ emerging technologies and create value in SDG-14. We should highlight that one use case can be related to more than one SDG and it can make use of multiple emerging technologies. In the left column, we present the company name, the origin country, related SDGs and emerging technologies that are included. The companies and use cases are listed alphabetically. Footnote 1

For reference, you may click on the hyperlinks on the company names or follow the websites here (Accessed Online – 2.1.2022):

http://apium.com/ ; http://usvcompany.com/ ; http://www.aquabyte.ai/ ; https://bureo.co/ ; https://calwave.energy/ ; https://digitaltwinmarine.com/ ; https://dronesolutionservices.com/wasteshark ; https://econcretetech.com/ ; https://marinelabs.io/ ; https://monitorfish.com/ ; https://oceanium.world/ ; https://seakura.co.il/en/ ; https://shellcatch.com/ ; https://sinay.ai/en/ ; https://symbytech.com/ ; https://theoceancleanup.com/ ; https://umitron.com/en/index.html ; https://upstream.tech/hydroforecast ; https://www.akualogix.com/ ; https://www.aquaponicsiberia.com/?lang=en ; https://www.bioceanor.com/en ; https://www.blueoceangear.com/ ; https://www.blueplanetecosystems.com ; https://www.cageeye.com/nb ; https://www.ellipsis.earth/ ; https://www.icoteq.com/ ; https://www.oceandiagnostics.com/ ; https://www.projectbb.org/ ; https://www.ranmarine.io/products/datashark/ ; https://www.reef.support/ ; https://www.saildrone.com/ ; https://www.sofarocean.com/ ; https://www.vortex-io.fr/ ; https://www.we4sea.com/ ; https://www.whaleseeker.com/ ; https://xpertsea.com/

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U.C. Pandey et al., Introduction, in SDG14 – Life Below Water: Towards Sustainable Management of Our Oceans , (Emerald Publishing Limited, 2021), pp. 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80071-709-120211004

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Description

The world’s oceans —their temperature, chemistry, currents and life— drive global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. Rainwater, drinking water, weather, climate, coastlines, a significant proportion of foodstuffs, and even the oxygen in the air, are all ultimately provided and regulated by the sea. Throughout history, oceans and seas have been vital conduits for trade and transportation. Sustainable management of this essential global resource is a key feature of future well-being.

Targets and Indicators

Agencies, funds and programmes.

Regional indicators

Square kilometers 2000 - 2019

Percentage 2000, 2019

Key messages from the region on the issues addressed by SDG 14 and its targets

• Throughout history, oceans and seas have been vital conduits for trade and transportation. Careful management of this essential global resource is a key feature of a sustainable future.
• The quality of nearshore marine waters is affected by the dumping of solid and liquid waste by ships, abandoned fishing nets and ballast water discharges, river effluents containing runoff from agricultural chemicals, inadequate wastewater treatment, deforestation and coastal development.
• In certain areas, the change in flows of phosphorus, nitrogen and water have created areas that are hypoxic —meaning low in oxygen— called "dead zones". There are between 20 and 30 of these zones in Latin America and the Caribbean, depending on the source consulted. Analysis of the clean water indicator, which measures ocean pollution levels, shows that water quality problems are extensive, but more serious in some equatorial areas, particularly in parts of Asia, Africa and Central America.
• Furthermore, the transfer of invasive aquatic species through the exchange of ballast water is one of the four greatest threats shipping poses to the world’s oceans and can cause severe environmental, economic and public-health impacts. However, countries' capacity to identify, control and eliminate invasive alien species is still limited.
• The Caribbean Sea is second only to the Mediterranean Sea in terms of plastic pollution.

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean

The analysis of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) presented here is the outcome of the discussions held within the framework of the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and Caribbean on Sustainable Development, convened under the auspices of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

Challenges and opportunities for the implementation, follow-up and review of SDG 14 and its targets

• International action is essential to restore the health and productivity of oceans, seas and coasts. There is a need to strengthen cooperation, research, joint monitoring and development of early warnings for increasingly frequent phenomena such as algal blooms, the increase in mass mortality of marine organisms, changes in the migration routes or periods of migratory species, the rise in storm surges or the presence of invasive alien species.
• Four of the 10 targets of SDG 14 had to be met by 2020 (14.2, 14.4, 14.5 and 14.6) and one by 2025 (14.1). Three of the four targets for 2020 will not be met and countries must commit to making greater efforts to achieve them, especially with regard to overfishing and to illegal and unreported fishing and the incentives to carry out these activities.
• Although target 14.5 has been achieved in Latin America and the Caribbean at the regional level, most countries are far from protecting 10% of their exclusive economic zones (EEZ). The progress made in protecting marine surface area has been possible because some countries have protected a large percentage of their EEZ. However, they have generally done so in areas far from the coast (offshore). The coasts, which are more vulnerable and exposed to a greater number of threats, tend to include few protected marine areas.
• Ocean pollution and acidification has an adverse impact on ecosystem functioning and the biodiversity of coastal waters, and also on small-scale fishing.
• Infrastructure development in coastal areas (ports and tourism and production facilities) has degraded or destroyed ecosystems such as mangroves and seagrasses that act as natural barriers. These ecosystems play an essential role in filtering out harmful pollutants, absorbing nutrients from runoff and trapping sediments to increase the clarity and quality of marine waters, capturing large quantities of carbon (mangroves have a greater capacity to do so than tropical forests) and protecting coasts, among other things. They also play a key role in the life cycle development of economically crucial species and foster ecotourism.
• Although there are instruments that cover the disposal of plastic waste generated on-board ships, there are no known protocols or standard operating procedures on the day-to-day management of litter. Further research is needed to enable analyses of the costs and impact of marine litter from tourism.
• Despite their fundamental contribution to nutrition, food security and local livelihoods, many small-scale fishing communities remain marginalized.

Opportunities

• Oceans (including islands, seas and coasts) and marine ecosystems present excellent opportunities to comprehensively and synergistically address several targets of the 2030 Agenda, especially nature-based solutions that can help to reduce the risks of storm surges and of hurricanes making landfall, and that can contribute to climate change adaptation and mitigation. The Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 25), held in 2019 in Madrid, was dubbed "Blue COP" given its focus on this theme.
• Oceans are crucial to the achievement of social targets such as gender equality, increasing decent work, decreasing environmental conflict, reducing poverty and eliminating hunger.
• Aquaculture, which is growing considerably in the region and the world, could increase the production of algae and filter-feeders that do not require food inputs and that, on the contrary, generate additional benefits by filtering water and, in the case of algae, by capturing carbon and pollutants.
• More and more companies are joining the fight against excess plastic in the oceans, through initiatives ranging from the development of new biodegradable materials to replace plastic, to the search for enzymes and organisms that can break it down. Other examples are sports shoes and T-shirts made from abandoned fishing nets, biodegradable containers and eco-friendly packaging.

Lessons learned and good practices with respect to SDG 14 and its targets

• The plastic bag bans in a growing number of countries —including Argentina, Chile and Mexico— are a step in the right direction towards the achievement of SDG 14.
• The Regional Seas Programme involves three conventions in the region: the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (managed by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)), the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Area of the South-East Pacific, and the Convention for Cooperation in the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Marine and Coastal Areas of the Northeast Pacific.

Recommendations from Latin America and the Caribbean to achieve SDG 14 and its targets

• To achieve SDG 14 by 2030, governments should identify the areas of greatest risk and the most comprehensive and cost-effective adaptation strategies.
• Protected marine areas should be managed effectively and supported by sufficient resources and regulations that reduce overfishing, pollution and ocean acidification.
• Mangroves and coral reefs also provide important protection services from extreme weather events and climate change. Like terrestrial ecosystems, marine ecosystems also require protection by balancing the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity and habitats.
• Scientific information and better data should be encouraged, along with the development of best practices. The development and implementation of area-based management tools should be combined with other appropriate conservation measures, to avoid negative impacts in other areas.

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Sustainable Development Goal 14 - Life Below Water: Towards a Sustainable Ocean

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In 2017, the United Nations proclaimed a Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development , to be held from 2021 to 2030. The aim is to provide a common framework so ocean science can fully support countries' actions to sustainably manage the ocean and more ...

Keywords : Sustainability, Sustainable Development Goals, SDG14, Blue Economy, UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, Fisheries, Pollution, Climate Change Impacts, Climate Change Mitigation, Ocean Governance, Biodiversity, Marine Plastics, Transformation Maps

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