Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. The United Nations calls its 17 SDGs "the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all." With a target of achieving them by 2030, the goals are all interconnected and address the global challenges we face. Catholic sisters are increasingly recognizing how their ministries align with the SDGs, with the support of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Catholic Sisters Initiative and other organizations. Here, we present each Sustainable Development Goal with links to some of our coverage and sisters' columns that illustrate how their ministries and missions parallel the SDGs.

Sustainable Development Goals Overview

The United Nations calls its 17 Sustainable Development Goals "the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all." With a target of achieving them by 2030, the goals are all interconnected and address the global challenges we face.

This series includes stories about these goals and sisters working to achieve them. 

Sustainable Development Goals Overview

The United Nations calls its 17 Sustainable Development Goals "the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all." With a target of achieving them by 2030, the goals are all interconnected and address the global challenges we face.

This series includes stories about these goals and sisters working to achieve them. 

Sustainable Development Goal 1: No Poverty

Goal 1 is "No Poverty." As the UN puts it: "Economic growth must be inclusive to provide sustainable jobs and promote equality."

This series highlights some of the work sisters are doing around the world to eradicate poverty.

Sustainable Development Goal 1: No Poverty

Goal 1 is "No Poverty." As the UN puts it: "Economic growth must be inclusive to provide sustainable jobs and promote equality."

This series highlights some of the work sisters are doing around the world to eradicate poverty.

Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger

Goal 2 is "Zero Hunger." As the UN puts it: "The food and agriculture sector offers key solutions for development, and is central for hunger and poverty eradication."

This series includes stories of sisters around the world working to eradicate hunger. 

Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger

Goal 2 is "Zero Hunger." As the UN puts it: "The food and agriculture sector offers key solutions for development, and is central for hunger and poverty eradication."

This series includes stories of sisters around the world working to eradicate hunger. 

Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing

Goal 3 is "Good Health and Well-being." As the UN puts it: "Ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being for all at all ages is essential to sustainable development."

This series includes stories of sisters working to build a healthier world.

Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing

Goal 3 is "Good Health and Well-being." As the UN puts it: "Ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being for all at all ages is essential to sustainable development."

This series includes stories of sisters working to build a healthier world.

Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education

Goal 4 is "Quality Education." As the UN puts it: "Obtaining a quality education is the foundation to improving people's lives and sustainable development."

This series includes stories of sisters working on the frontlines of education.

Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education

Goal 4 is "Quality Education." As the UN puts it: "Obtaining a quality education is the foundation to improving people's lives and sustainable development."

This series includes stories of sisters working on the frontlines of education.

Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality

Goal 5 is "Gender Equality." As the UN puts it: "Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world."

This series includes stories of sisters on the frontline of fighting for gender equality.

Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality

Goal 5 is "Gender Equality." As the UN puts it: "Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world."

This series includes stories of sisters on the frontline of fighting for gender equality.

Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Goal 6 is "Clean Water and Sanitation." As the UN puts it: "Clean, accessible water for all is an essential part of the world we want to live in."

This series highlights the stories of sisters around the world working to help communities attain clean water. 

Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Goal 6 is "Clean Water and Sanitation." As the UN puts it: "Clean, accessible water for all is an essential part of the world we want to live in."

This series highlights the stories of sisters around the world working to help communities attain clean water. 

Sustainable Development Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Goal 7 is "Affordable and Clean Energy." As the UN puts it: "Energy is central to nearly every major challenge and opportunity."

This series includes stories of sisters working to improve energy accessibility and sustainability. 

Sustainable Development Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Goal 7 is "Affordable and Clean Energy." As the UN puts it: "Energy is central to nearly every major challenge and opportunity."

This series includes stories of sisters working to improve energy accessibility and sustainability. 

Sustainable Development Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Goal 8 is "Decent Work and Economic Growth." As the UN puts it: "Sustainable economic growth will require societies to create the conditions that allow people to have quality jobs."

This series includes stories of sisters striving to create economic justice for all.

Sustainable Development Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Goal 8 is "Decent Work and Economic Growth." As the UN puts it: "Sustainable economic growth will require societies to create the conditions that allow people to have quality jobs."

This series includes stories of sisters striving to create economic justice for all.

Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Goal 9 is "Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure." As the UN puts it: "Investments in infrastructure are crucial to achieving sustainable development."

This series includes stories of sisters striving towards this goal. 

Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Goal 9 is "Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure." As the UN puts it: "Investments in infrastructure are crucial to achieving sustainable development."

This series includes stories of sisters striving towards this goal. 

Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities

Goal 10 is "Reduced Inequalities." As the UN puts it: "To reduce inequalities, policies should be universal in principle, paying attention to the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized populations."

This series highlights some of the work sisters are doing around the world to reduce inequality.

Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities

Goal 10 is "Reduced Inequalities." As the UN puts it: "To reduce inequalities, policies should be universal in principle, paying attention to the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized populations."

This series highlights some of the work sisters are doing around the world to reduce inequality.

Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Goal 11 is "Sustainable Cities and Communities." As the UN puts it: "There needs to be a future in which cities provide opportunities for all, with access to basic services, energy, housing, transportation and more."

This series includes stories of sisters on the frontlines of that effort.

Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Goal 11 is "Sustainable Cities and Communities." As the UN puts it: "There needs to be a future in which cities provide opportunities for all, with access to basic services, energy, housing, transportation and more."

This series includes stories of sisters on the frontlines of that effort.

Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Goal 12 is "Responsible Consumption and Production." As the UN puts it: "Worldwide consumption and production rest on the use of the natural environment and resources in a way that continues to have destructive impacts on the planet."

This series includes stories of sisters at the forefront of sustainable living. 

Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Goal 12 is "Responsible Consumption and Production." As the UN puts it: "Worldwide consumption and production rest on the use of the natural environment and resources in a way that continues to have destructive impacts on the planet."

This series includes stories of sisters at the forefront of sustainable living. 

Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action

Goal 13 is "Climate Action." As the UN puts it: "Climate change is a global challenge that affects everyone, everywhere."

This series includes stories of sisters fighting to protect our world against climate change. 

Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action

Goal 13 is "Climate Action." As the UN puts it: "Climate change is a global challenge that affects everyone, everywhere."

This series includes stories of sisters fighting to protect our world against climate change. 

Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water

Goal 14 is "Life Below Water." As the UN puts it: "Careful management of this essential global resource is a key feature of a sustainable future."

This series includes stories of sisters working to protect our oceans.

Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water

Goal 14 is "Life Below Water." As the UN puts it: "Careful management of this essential global resource is a key feature of a sustainable future."

This series includes stories of sisters working to protect our oceans.

Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land

Goal 15 is "Life on Land." As the UN puts it: "Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss." 

This series includes stories of sisters advocating for and protecting our earth.

Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land

Goal 15 is "Life on Land." As the UN puts it: "Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss." 

This series includes stories of sisters advocating for and protecting our earth.

Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Goal 16 is "Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions." As the UN puts it: "Access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable institutions at all levels."

This series includes stories of sisters standing up for human rights. 

Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Goal 16 is "Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions." As the UN puts it: "Access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable institutions at all levels."

This series includes stories of sisters standing up for human rights. 

Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Goal 17 is "Partnerships for the Goals." As the UN puts it: "A successful development agenda requires inclusive partnerships — at the global, regional, national and local levels — built upon principles and values, and upon a shared vision and shared goals placing people and the planet at the centre."

This series includes stories of sisters working collaboratively to build a better world. 

Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Goal 17 is "Partnerships for the Goals." As the UN puts it: "A successful development agenda requires inclusive partnerships — at the global, regional, national and local levels — built upon principles and values, and upon a shared vision and shared goals placing people and the planet at the centre."

This series includes stories of sisters working collaboratively to build a better world.