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STORY HIGHLIGHTS

The report provides information on progress on the 92 environment-related SDG indicators, analyzes interlinkages between water-related indicators and other economic and social indicators, and explores using big data and citizen science data to close the data gap.

It warns that despite positive movement, the world is not on track to achieve the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has released a report that finds only 38% of the environment-related indicators demonstrate environmental improvement. Yet, compared to only 28% in 2020, this is significant progress. The report also shows that global data availability for environment-related SDG indicators increased from 34% in 2018 and 42% in 2020 – to 59% in 2022.

Titled, ‘Measuring Progress: Water-related Ecosystems and the SDGs,’ the report uses multivariate statistical analysis to explore how freshwater ecosystems are impacted by environmental changes and policies at multiple scales. It warns that despite positive movement, the world is not on track to achieve the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The report provides information on progress on the 92 environment-related SDG indicators, analyzes interlinkages between water-related indicators and other economic and social indicators, and explores using big data and citizen science data to close the data gap.

The report’s recommendations include:

• Translating the successes of the SDG indicator framework into disaggregated data;
• Re-evaluating the suitability of the current indicator methodologies to parse true change in the environment from data and methodological artefacts;
• Understanding more fully SDG interlinkages that will ultimately allow for the design of more effective policy responses; and
• Using an all-sectoral approach that integrates environment-related indicator trends with robust policy analyses, to achieve sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda.

“Water is central to the achievement of all 17 SDGs, and data is key to making sound policy decisions,” a UNEP press release notes. It calls for prioritization of “integrated policies such as integrated water resources management, which are based on the interlinked nature of land and water-based ecosystems.” This, it points out, would: allow for suitable water infrastructure in urban areas; address air, water, and soil pollution; and protect biodiversity and food security, as well as the raw materials that fuel economic growth.

The report was launched on 16 March, a week before the UN 2023 Water Conference. It also contributes to the SDG Summit in September. [Publication: Measuring Progress: Water-related Ecosystems and the SDGs] [Digital Report] [Publication Landing Page]