The 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda
Poverty has many dimensions, but its causes include unemployment, social exclusion, and extreme vulnerability of certain populations to disasters, diseases and other phenomena which prevent them from being productive. 10% of the world population still live in extreme poverty, mostly in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Through this Goal, the 2030 Agenda seeks to highlight the need to include those segments of society that have been excluded. It also aims to ensure social protection and inclusion for the poor and vulnerable, increase access to basic services and support people harmed by climate change and extreme events, social and economic shocks and natural disasters. If achieved, this will help create a fairer society where all can enjoy prosperity and live in dignity.
Our wellbeing is linked to each other; social and economic inequalities undermines societies at large, generating social exclusion. Governments should create enabling environment to support the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations. Nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures should be present in all countries for all, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable. Currently, 55% of the world population has no access to social protection systems.
Top importance target for SDG 1 is to eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, by 2030.
In Italy
In recent years our country – Italy – has seen an increase in the level of poverty, because of the economic crisis that affected it. Now the indicator of the Goal 1 (End poverty in all its forms everywhere), after the sharp decline from 2010 to 2014, is still at very low level. Absolute and relative poverty have worsened, as has the number of persons in households with low levels of employment. In the last two years, however, the percentages of people living in poor-quality dwellings and households who cannot afford to heat their homes adequately have fallen. The new data from ISTAT show that between 2015 and 2016 the proportion of the population aged 16 and over who didn’t receive the medical care they needed because it was too expensive decreased. This phenomenon generates a slight improvement trend in the composite indicator. In general, the population in Italy at risk of poverty and social exclusion amounts to 30%, a percentage that is up on the previous year and reveals how far we are from achieving the target set by Europe 2020.
SDG 2 – Zero Hunger
A world with zero hunger can positively impact our economies, health, education, equality and social development. Surprisingly, hunger is a growing global problem: 821 million people were under-nourished in 2017 (from 724 in 2015), due to climate change, declining food production, regional food scarcity, conflicts and failing chains of production and equitable distribution to vulnerable population. Poor nutrition means unproductive individuals, prone to diseases, unable to earn and improve their lives.
This goal relates to combating hunger, improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture. UN had defined 8 targets for SDG2, ranging from eliminating malnutrition, especially for persons in risk situation, increasing agricultural productivity and incomes for small food production, implementation of sustainable agricultural farms, maintenance of genetic diversity of seeds. Agriculture is the single largest employer in the world, providing livelihoods for 40% of today’s global population. It is the largest source of income and jobs for poor rural households. Social protection is instrumental in ensuring that poor people can access balanced nutrition. Regular consumers can support SDG 2 by using local markets and farmers. Governments must provide sustainable investment in sustainable agriculture practices, including ensuring food reserves and supporting ecosystems.
In Italy
In contrast to indicator 1, the situation in Italy improved significantly in recent years, in particular from 2010 to 2016, regarding the goal 2 (End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture). This indicator has shown a marked improvement over the years, after an initial deterioration in the period 2010-2011. In the last two years, the positive trend is due to a decrease in the overweight population, an increase in agricultural productivity, and in the proportion of agricultural land under organic cultivation. With regard to this last topic, in particular, the proportion of agricultural land under organic cultivation doubled (from 6.1% to 12.3%), while the productivity and profitability of small farms improved. Some Legislative Decrees may also make a positive contribution to eliminating food poverty. An example may be the introduction of the “Organic” certification for school meals in nurseries, kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools, aimed at reducing the costs of the organic school canteen service borne by beneficiaries, and implementing initiatives to provide information about and promote the consumption of environmentally-sustainable organic products in schools.
SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
SDG3 focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being at all ages which is a precondition to sustainable development. In the same time, at least half of the world’s population cannot access essential health services. Ensuring healthy lives for all requires considerable resources, but benefits outweighs the costs: in the last decade, improvements in health and heath care led to a 24% increase in income growth in some of the poorest countries. In rich and poor countries alike, a health emergency can drive people in poverty if proper medical systems are not set.
The targets for SDG 3 refer to reducing the global infant and maternal mortality ratio, ending the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases. Other key targets promote 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.
Adequate funding of the health systems, especially in least developed countries is crucial. Available data from 2013 to 2018 indicate that close to 40% of all countries had fewer than 10 medical doctors per 10,000 people, and more than 55% had fewer than 40 nursing and midwifery personnel per 10,000 people.
In Italy
As regards goal 3 there has been a steady improvement over the years. In particular, the positive aspects are related to the reductions in mortalities resulting from road traffic accidents and in the percentage of caesarean sections. So, the general picture is positive despite the increase in the number of people seriously injured in road traffic accidents in 2016. Moreover, regarding this goal Italy achieved the targets set for neonatal mortality and under-five mortality a long time ago, ranking among the best-performing countries with the lowest infant mortality, and the figure continues to improve, even in southern Italy. Since 2004, the mortality rate in the 30-69 age bracket for malignant tumours, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases and chronic respiratory diseases has also been steadily decreasing, although the stalling of the downward trend since 2015 could jeopardise achievement of the proposed 2030 target. Regarding suicides, the number is low compared to the rest of Europe.
SDG 4 – Quality Education
Education is a key resource for social and economic development and a tool for achieving other sustainable goals. The quality of education is directly related to combating poverty and hunger, to promote health, gender equality and peaceful societies. The Targets for Goal 4 cover the need for access to university-level education, vocational training, and entrepreneurship skills, and they pay special attention to issues of equity. This Goal also includes the promotion of education for sustainable development. Top target for SDG requires that all girls and boys are free, equal and have full access to quality primary and secondary education, relevant skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship.
In 2015, an estimated 617 million children and adolescents of primary and lower secondary school age worldwide – more than 50% – were not achieving minimum proficiency levels in reading and mathematics. Of these, about two thirds were attending school but were not learning in the classroom, or dropped out school. Over 750 million adults – two thirds of them women – remained illiterate in 2016, mainly in South Asia and in sub-Saharan Africa. Investment in quality education is a proven solution: the participation rate in early childhood and primary education was 70 per cent in 2016, up from 63 per cent in 2010.
In Italy
Regarding the goal 4 the Italian situation has significantly improved. Compared to 2015, the proportion of people aged 30 to 34 with a university degree continues to improve, and the rate of early leavers from education and training continues to decline. However, despite improvements, Italy still lags far behind the European average for all education and training indicators. In fact, for example, for higher education Italy is second to last in Europe in terms of the number of university graduates (only Romania is worse), amounting to 16.3% (compared to 15.7% in 2016) among people aged 15-64 and 26.2% for the 30-34 age bracket (compared to the Europe 2020 target of 40%, which has now been achieved by almost all countries). In comparison with Europe as a whole, Italy’s level of expenditure on education as a share of GDP is still inadequate (4% compared to the European average of 4.9%).
SDG 5 – Gender equality
Even though females (women and girls) represent more than half of the world’s population, they do not enjoy everywhere the same rights and freedom as males. In some regions and countries around the world, women and girls are denied access to education (sometimes even to primary education) and professional capacity building, they do not benefit of the same employment opportunities as males. For similar positions, females are often paid less than men for the same kind of work; they are discriminated with respect to their access to managerial positions in private or public sectors, they are not allowed to get involved in politics and cannot be elected in public positions. Under these circumstances, humanity cannot value its entire potential if females do not enjoy the same rights and freedoms as males, as has been stipulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Through the implementation of SDG 5 from the 2030 Agenda, it is desired to end all forms of discrimination (economic, social, political, cultural) and violence against all women and girls everywhere, to lower gender-based social and economic disparities, to strengthen institutions and promote active policies for preventing and combating violence against women and girls, to elaborate measures having in mind the specificity of each region, country or community in order to facilitate access to education, social and professional affirmation, lowering differences in payment between males and females for the same type of work.
In Italy
Regarding SDG 5 in Italy there are improvements, especially in measures against gender-based violence, but female participation in economic and political decision-making positions remains low, much lower than the EU average.
In 2018, the Italian legislation on gender equality has made substantial progress, focusing on aid and assistance to women victims of violence, gender-medicine, work-family balance measures and paternity leave. According to ASviS data, however, it is on the implementation level that the most serious delays and shortcomings are observed. More efforts are needed to overcome gender stereotypes, improve sexual health and ensure full respect for reproductive rights.
Moreover, even if the protections from violence against women have increased, it is necessary to strengthen the anti-violence centres and the shelter houses and introduce sexist crimes in the Law on hate crimes and discrimination.
SDG 6 – Clean water and sanitation
SDG 6 aims to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all. Almost a billion people do not have access to that most basic of technologies: a toilet or latrine, with huge effects on public health. Water and sanitation-related diseases remain among the major causes of death in children under five.
Most of the wastewater resulting from human activity is untreated and therefore polluting the water ecosystems. The targets for this goal provide details for what we must do to rectify this situation. In 2030, all countries must achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. Water-use efficiency should be mandatory across all sectors, and local populations’ participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management should be strengthened. Water related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes – must be managed rationally, involving transboundary cooperation. The global population using safely managed sanitation services increased from 28 per cent in 2000 to 43 per cent in 2015 and to 45 per cent in 2017, with the greatest increases occurring in Latin America and the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa and East and South-East Asia.
In Italy
Italy has the highest abstraction of drinking water per capita among the EU28 countries: 156 m3 per inhabitant in 2015. Of the 9.5 billion m3 of water withdrawn for drinking use, only 8.3 billion were introduced into the municipal drinking water distribution networks. Of these, only 4.9 billion were supplied to users, corresponding to 220 litres per inhabitant per day. The efficiency of the drinking water distribution network is worsening. In 2018, 10.4% of Italian households complained of irregularities in the service of water supply in their homes. In Italy, 17,897 urban wastewater treatment plants are in operation (2015 data). The percentage (in terms of population equivalents) of pollutant loads of civil origin that flow into secondary or advanced plants, which represent 44.2% of the treatment plant, is 59.6% of the potential pollutant loads generated on the territory.
SDG 7 – Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Global energy demand is constantly growing, and only by encouraging energy efficiency and promoting renewable energy can current needs and those of future generations be met.
Fossil fuel use for energy production produces large quantities of carbon and greenhouse gases, impacting global climate change and affecting people from all countries. While global energy needs are expanding, using fossil fuel is unsustainable for our planet future.
SDG 7 has allocated the following targets: ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services; by 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency; enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy, research and technology, including renewable energy; expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all in developing countries, in particular least developed countries.
Using public transport or unplugging appliances when not in use are sensitive measures for the everyday citizen to help achieving SDG 7. The world needs to triple its investment in sustainable energy infrastructure per year, from around $400 billion now to $1.25 trillion by 2030. Governments and business investment in renewable energy sources must increase in order to meet the targets of SDG 7.
In Italy
Historically characterized by lower levels than the EU average and many of the main European countries, Italy has progressively reduced its primary energy intensity over time: from 113.2 (2006) to 98.4 (2016) tons of oil equivalent per thousand euros of GDP. Between 2009 and 2015 Sardinia (-38%) mostly contributed to the decrease of GIC/GDP ratio (-23.8%), followed by Molise, Marche and Abruzzo. After the slowdown recorded between 2013 and 2015, in 2017, the overall consumption share from RES reached 18.3%, but in the electricity sector the share decreased. In 2018, 93 out of a hundred families were satisfied with the electricity service. After the increase recorded between 2008 and 2012, and the following decrease, the share of population unable to keep home adequately warm is still above pre-crisis values and on levels twice as high as the EU average.
SDG 8 – Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
This SDG seeks to promote sustainable economic growth and employment and a decent living standard for all, irrespective of one’s gender, geographic location, or origins. Implementing the principle of “no one left behind” is imperative.
Sustained and inclusive economic growth can drive progress, create decent jobs for all and improve living standards. Globally, labour productivity has increased and the unemployment rate has decreased. More progress is needed to increase employment opportunities, especially for young people, reduce informal employment and labour market inequality (particularly in terms of the gender pay inequality),
However, being employed does not guarantee a decent life: 8 per cent of employed workers and their families’ world-wide lived in extreme poverty in 2018. Differences of earnings between men and women stands at 23 per cent globally: without decisive action, it will take another 68 years to achieve equal pay. Women’s labour force participation rate is 63% while that of men is 94%; women continue to do 2.6 times the unpaid care and domestic work that men do.
Governments should sustain policies increasing economic growth and productivity. Micro, small- and medium-sized enterprises should be encouraged to grow and access adequate finance. The UN Strategy for Sustainable Development proposes, by 2030, to achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, with a special attention to young people and persons with disabilities and equal pay for work.
Italy
The annual growth rate of real GDP per capita showed an improvement in the last three years (+1.0% in 2018) but the value added per employed person was substantially stationary. The unemployment rate continues to fall, but, in 2018, it was still higher than the pre-crisis levels (10.6%; -0.6 points compared to 2017; +3.9 points compared to 2008). The non-participation rate in Italy is almost double compared to the EU level. The employment rate continued the growth in 2018 (63%; +0.7 compared to 2017), for the first year recovering pre-crisis levels. Although falling from 2015, in 2018 the share of NEETs among Italian 25-29 year-old people reached the highest level in EU. In 2017, the share of government spending in employment programmes and social protection from unemployment decreased with respect both to the national budget and to GDP.
SDG 9 – Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
Basic infrastructure like roads, information and communication technologies, sanitation, electrical power and water remains scarce in many developing countries. Top target for SDG 9 is to 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. An estimated 3.8 billion people still do not have access to the Internet, representing 80% of the population in the least developed countries. Resilient infrastructure is very important since 3 billion people worldwide lack access to basic sanitation and 3 in 10 people lack access to safely managed drinking water.
Inclusive and sustainable industrialization, together with innovation and infrastructure, can release dynamic and competitive economic forces, employment and income. The growth of new industries means improvement in the standard of living for many of us. If industries pursue sustainability, this approach will have a positive effect on the environment. Climate change affects all us. In today's world, only countries that encourage innovation, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable industry are able be competitive. Sustainable industrialisation means a “knowledge-based economy” built on innovation that benefits society and respects the environment.
Another target for SDG 9 is to provide access of small scale industrial and other enterprises in particular in developing countries to financial services, including affordable credit. Countries must improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and struggle to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation.
In Italy
Between 1995 and 2017, in line with the increasing grow up of advanced economies, in Italy the manufacturing sector decreased in terms of share of both employment and value added on the total. In 2017, the intensity of CO2 emission on value added reached the minimum in the last ten years. Italy is one of the European countries with the lowest intensity of carbon dioxide emissions. Compared to EU, the Italian R&D system suffers a structural delay, not offset by the slow growth of R&D intensity and personnel. The incidence of enterprises that introduced technological innovation grew in the last three-year period by 6.2 percentage points, reaching 38.1 companies per 100. Between 2012 and 2016, the percentage of Italian Medium-High Technology MHT) value added on the total manufacturing value added grew. The ICT is in expansion in both households and enterprises sector, but there still are large territorial differences.
SDG 10 – Reduce inequalities within and among countries
Inequality is one of the most severe issues confronting the today’s society which is manifested in many forms such as gender, access to education, and wealth, to name just a few. Inequality affects long-term social and economic development, fuels poverty and destroys people’s sense of fulfilment and self-worth. This, in turn, can give rise to crime, disease and environmental degradation. Sustainable development is impossible if people are excluded from opportunities, services, and the chance for improving one’s life.
Despite progress in some areas, income inequality continues to rise in many parts of the world. Inequality means 16,000 children die each day from preventable diseases such as measles and tuberculosis. Inequality for rural women means that they are three times more likely to die while giving birth than women in urban centres. Women and girls with disabilities face double discrimination. Inequality is an issue that affects every country in the world. Even the advanced countries struggle with communities living in poverty, racism or forms of intolerance.
Top target for SDG 11 is to achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40% of the population at a rate higher than the national average. Increasing opportunities for vulnerable groups, investing more in education, social protection and decent jobs promotes economic inclusion. Discriminatory laws, policies and practices should be eliminated in all countries. Social protection policies, fiscal and wage policies contribute to reducing inequalities. Reduction of transaction costs of migrant remittances to less than 3% by 2030 is also a target for SDG 11 – reducing inequalities. Enhancing representation and voice for developing countries in decision-making in global international economic and financial institutions improves the legitimacy of these institutions.
In Italy
The Italian economy has emerged from the most acute phase of the crisis which, in recent years, has accentuated inequalities and exacerbated poverty, especially among young people and the less well-off sectors of the population. Some regions have experienced significant growth in income inequalities in recent years: Sicily, Calabria, Campania and Sardinia, but also Lazio, Liguria and Lombardy.
The share of households living in absolute poverty has almost doubled in the last ten years (6.9% in 2017), reaching the highest level in southern Italy (10.3%). Despite such a large increase in inequalities, there is still no convergence of policies aimed at reducing them. In addition to the urgent need to extend and strengthen specific income support measures to eradicate absolute poverty, these steps should be taken: a tax system based on a more progressive approach and greater fairness; measures to reduce income disparities within the same workplace; protection of the universal and public nature of welfare systems; measures aimed at eradicating the most unacceptable situations of privilege.
SDG 11 – Make Cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Our planet becomes more urbanized: in 2007, more than half the world’s population has been living in cities, and that share is projected to rise to 60% by 2030. Yet 1 of 4 urban residents live in slum like conditions, 9 out of 10 breathe polluted air. The quality of living depends to a great extent of by the sustainable development of cities and local communities.
To this end, the 2030 Agenda acknowledges the fact that good governing, integrated management and urban development are useful work instruments for the elaboration and implementation of local strategies and policies to generate well-being for citizens.
Cities occupy just 3% of the Earth’s land, but account for 60-80% of energy consumption and 70% of carbon emissions. Many cities are also more vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters due to their high density of people. Organic growth of cities in sprawling suburbs can generate pollution through greenhouses gases. Sustainable urban practices include participatory planning, safe and efficient public transport, safe and affordable housing, green public spaces, good air quality and attentive waste management. Inclusion of women, children, older persons and disabled when designing cities help attaining SDG 11.
In Italy
In the cities, according to the ASviS 2018 Report, despite of the critical issues related to public transport and illegal housing, since 2016 there are signs of growth thanks to the improvement of housing conditions and waste management. Some steps forward have been done in legislation, like for example the approval of the final report on the conditions of degradation and security of the cities and their suburbs by the Chamber of Deputies Inquiry Commission, or the approval of Law No. 2 of the 2018 on the promotion of the use of the bicycle as a means of transport, or the signing of a new program agreement between the Ministry of the Environment and the regions of the Po Valley to overcome the smog emergency. However, the measures adopted are still insufficient to meet the different needs of cities, starting from the urban agenda for sustainable development, including important indicators such as the reduction of land consumption, the increase in air quality controls and the protection of green areas.
SDG 12 – Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Economic and social progress in the last 100 years also degraded the environment; even today, one third of the food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted. At individual level, reducing waste, choosing goods and services wisely, from sustainable and local sources can help a lot. In the view of 2030 Agenda, decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation requires a new model of sustainable consumption and production. Sustainable development requires more efficient production, more sustainable waste management, and more environmental protection. Recycling is a must, and this requires the transition towards a circular economy while also raising awareness of the Planet’s limits. SDG 12 targets reduction of waste, chemicals, as well as encouraging companies, particularly larger ones, to adopt sustainable practices. By 2030, global food waste at the retail and consumer levels must be halved and food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses – must be reduced.
In Italy
Positive developments regarding many aspects related to Goal 12 are described in the National Institute of Statistics’ SDG Report, which shows that in recent years Italy has seen significant growth in both separate waste collection and recycling (with a share rising from 36.7% in 2010 to 47.7% in 2016). Between 2004 and 2016, the percentage of separate collection increased by more than 30 points, from 22.7% to 52.5%. Consumption of materials has also fallen sharply (by around 40% from 1996 to 2014), although a reversal of the trend from 2014 should be noted, following an upturn in industrial production.
From 2017 onwards, several regulatory changes were realised to favour sustainable production and consumption models, such as the law regarding biodegradable packaging for bulk foodstuffs and the law for free energy and gas market. The critical points include: the failure to adopt the framework law on fair trade and the delays in approving the implementing decrees of the laws on the Third Sector and on the role of ethical and sustainable finance.
SDG 13 – Climate change and its impact
SDG 13 refers to fight against climate change and its consequences for our planet: individuals and economies are affected, weather patterns are changed, weather events are more severe, and sea levels are rising (19 cm rise from 1901 to 2010). Climate change does not respect borders, however the poorest and most vulnerable people are being affected the most, especially women, children and elderly.
Climate related disasters claimed an estimated 1.3 million lives between 1998 and 2017. The world must transform its energy, industry, transport, food, agriculture and forestry systems to ensure that we can limit global climate change. The first target for SDG 13 is to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries: this means local governments adopting plans for disaster management, as well as limiting the number of deaths and missing persons affected by natural hazards. Every country should plan increasing their ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change, and fostering climate resilience and low greenhouse emissions in a manner that does not threaten food production. 70% of resources invested in global energy supply in 2016 was related to fossil fuels.
In Italy
Between 1995 and 2015 in Italy there was a 20 percentage point decrease in gas emissions, placing our country even below the European average of emissions. This remarkable result is however attributable for 75% to productive activities (and therefore to their fall due to the economic crisis) and not to sustainable initiatives. In 2017, according to the Superior Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (Ispra) data, emissions drop to 0.3%, compared to an increase in GDP of 1.5%, a sign of an effective tendency to decoupling.
Furthermore, from 2010 untill today, the "natural" phenomena have affected with significant impacts (inconvenience, damage to infrastructures, victims) 198 municipalities, which have suffered 340 extreme weather phenomena.
In 2018, with the new national integrated energy and climate plan, Italy set new goals in containing emissions, but for the "carbon neutral" goal there is still a long way to go, especially as the National Plan proposal for adaptation to climate change (Pnacc) has remained at the draft stage since 2017.
SDG 14 – Conserve and sustainably use of oceans, seas, and marine resources
According to the UN 2030 Agenda, marine life, climate, the economy and social well-being depend on the healthy seas and oceans. Over 3 billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihood. Oceans are providing food, medicines, biofuels, breakdown pollution and act as buffers to storms. Overfishing as well as increasing levels of debris impact biodiversity through ingestion of debris or entanglement. By 2025, governments must prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution. This is important especially for open oceans and deep sea areas, where sustainability can be achieved only through international cooperation to protect vulnerable habitat. The waters covered by national jurisdiction are protected areas, while 104 out of 220 coastal regions improved their coastal water quality (2012-2018). SDG 14 specifically targets overfishing, destructive or illegal fishing – requiring countries even to eliminate certain forms of subsidies having this side effects.
In Italy
The National Institute of Statistics’ SDG Report shows that the extent of protected marine areas is very large, amounting to 3,020.5 square kilometres, 75% of which are located in three regions: Sardinia, Sicily and Tuscany. The percentage of Italy’s bathing coastline amounts to 67.2%, although the “non-bathing” coastline is not only for health and hygiene reasons, but also because military areas, protected areas, ports and river mouths are included.
Protection of the sea and marine resources is a fundamental priority for Italy, which has a significant impact - also regarding other Goals - on the sustainability and quality of the environment and climate. Regarding Target 14.5 (protect at least 10% of coastal and marine areas), Italy has basically achieved this target, by protecting around 700 kilometres of its approximately 7,500 kilometres of coastal area, and 228,000 hectares of sea.
It is important to consider the critical aspects - regarding legality and the behaviour of individuals and economic actors - of a marine and coastal ecosystem that has experienced more than 17,000 violations related to poor water purification, and deliberate dumping of waste on Italy’s beaches (illegal dumping affects one inhabitant out of four).
SDG 15 – Life on land
SDG 15 promotes sustainably managing forests, combating desertification, halting land degradation and biodiversity loss.
Forests are essential to life on earth. From the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the food we eat–forests sustain us. Their sustainable management is a fundamental element of current global challenges, alongside combating the loss of biodiversity and soil degradation, and the prevention of climate change.
Around 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihood. Land degradation (affecting one fifth of the Earth Area) and biodiversity loss are the key challenges approached by SDG 16 – Life on land. Regular citizen can contribute to achieving SDG 15 through recycling, eating a locally-based diet that is sustainably sourced, consuming only what is needed, as well as limiting energy usage through efficient heating and cooling systems. Consumers should choose ecotourism opportunities that are responsibly and ethically run in order to prevent wildlife disturbance. Well-managed protected areas support healthy ecosystems, which in turn keep people healthy. States are expected to 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; this target is supervised by monitoring forest area as a proportion of the land area, as well as biodiversity. As of 2017, 76 per cent of the world’s mountain areas were covered by a form of green coverage: 41% by forests, 29% by grassland and only 6% by cropland. Recently, catastrophic wildfires affected forests in Siberia (area roughly equal to Belgium), while the Amazonian forests – the lungs that produce 20% of our planet’s oxygen – are on fire: smoke visible from satellites cover half of Brasil.
In Italy
In Italy, the territory covered by forests rose 20% between 1990 and 2015, to reach the current 31.6%. The National Institute of Statistics’ SDG Report points out that protected natural areas now cover around 80% of key areas for biodiversity, and 21.8% of the entire national territory. While a positive trend towards a reduction in the number of violations relating to illegal trafficking in endangered species of wild fauna and flora is to be noted, at the same time there are serious threats to endangered terrestrial vertebrate species. Land consumption is continuing at a rapid pace (in the first half of 2016 around 50 km2 of land were paved over or overbuilt), although less than in the past.
The last legislatures did not achieve the objective of approving a law on land consumption, phenomenon that should be eliminated through actions for relaunching the existing building stock, encouraging urban regeneration and the energy efficiency improvement of buildings.
SDG 16 – Peace, justice and strong institutions
This objective aims to encourage and develop open, peaceful and inclusive societies, facilitating access to justice for all citizens. At the same time, public institutions must be efficient and oriented towards solving issues and needs of citizens. It is necessary to have the commitment of all international actors and governments in order to prevent and combat all forms of violence, terrorism, human trafficking, drug and weapons trafficking, children exploitation through labour, the elimination of all types of torture, combating unpaid long hours or forced labour. The objective “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions” also includes efficient measures to strengthen the lawful state and the fight against corruption at all levels.
Corruption, bribery, theft and tax evasion cost some US $1.26 trillion for developing countries per year; this amount of money could be used to lift those who are living on less than $1.25 a day above $1.25 for at least six years. Crimes that threaten the foundation of peaceful societies, including homicides, trafficking and other organized crimes, as well as discriminatory laws or practices, affect all countries. Even the world’s greatest democracies face major challenges in addressing corruption, crime and human rights violations for everyone at home.
Raising awareness in our community about the shortcomings of institutions, holding elected officials into account, sharing opinion with public representatives are valuable contributions. Countries must act to significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere, as well as abuse, exploitation and violence against children. Ensuring responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels can increase satisfaction of the population with public services and build trust in societies.
In Italy
The ASviS 2018 Report records a fundamentally static situation for the Goal 16 in Italy compared to 2010. In fact, after an initial deterioration, from 2014 there is a significant improvement thanks to the reduction in the average duration of civil proceedings, but despite this improvement, however, the average duration for the completion of the civil proceedings of the ordinary courts remains very high (445 average days in 2017).
At the regulatory level some progress has been made with the aim of improving the efficiency of the penal system. For the fight against corruption the law on whistleblowing (Law 30 November 2017, n.179), which protects workers who report and report illegal conduct, should be noted.
To strengthen the culture of legality, ASviS proposes to develop specific tools to prevent the emergence and spread of corruption during calls for bids and tenders related to public and infrastructural works.
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals
The Agenda, with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals, is universal and calls for action by all countries, both developed countries and developing countries, to ensure no one is left behind. For this, SDG 17 has ambitious targets regarding the finance, technology, capacity building and trade.
Progress on some means of implementation targets is moving rapidly: personal remittances are at an all-time high, an increasing proportion of the global population has access to the Internet and the Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries has been established. Yet, significant challenges remain: Official Development Assistance is declining (approximatively 4% for Africa for example), private investment flows are not well aligned with sustainable development, there continues to be a significant digital divide: over 80% in developed countries are online, compared to 45% in developing countries and 20% in least developed countries.
The Shaping Fair Cities project fully applies the partnership principle: the project has partners from 10 countries from European Union, and 2 non EU ones, Albania and Mozambique, putting at work local and regional administrations, as well as CSOs to implement roadmaps to achieve Sustainable Goals on Gender Equality, Sustainable Cities, Climate Change, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. The partnership for the Goals means also that actors involved in the project learn from other countries’ experience and lessons in working towards SDG implementation.
In Italy
The ASviS 2018 Report shows a significant improvement from 2014 to 2016 mainly due to the amount of funds allocated to public development aid (APS). However, the need to invest more in development cooperation emerges.
The Italian legislative activity of the last year has been characterized by some progress, like for example the complete implementation of the Law 125 of 2014 "General discipline for international development cooperation", at a cost of five million euro in the APS (equal to 0.29% of the gross national income, RNL) to the change made by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) of the guidelines for the registration of civil society organizations in the list of subjects admitted to the public financing of cooperation initiatives, but also to the interruption of the process of the national law on fair trade, important for defining and recognizing the sector, and guaranteeing better opportunities for disadvantaged producers in developing countries.
Sources of information for the SDGs presented above from the United Nations:
Sustainable development knowledge platform for targets, indicators, progress measurement for each SDG:
United Nations sustainable development platform for facts and figures, infographics and SDG explanations:
www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment
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