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SDGs-CA

Background

In 2015, the United Nations established 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, and peace and justice. IUPAC, as a world leader in chemical sciences, recognizes the critical role of chemistry in achieving the SDGs. To demonstrate its contributions to the SDGs, IUPAC initiated the "Assessment of the Contribution of IUPAC Projects to the Achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals" project (Project No. 2020-011-2-041) in 2020.

Project Tasks

  • Task 1: Analyze IUPAC projects based on IUPAC committees and divisions.
  • Task 2: Survey all IUPAC projects and categorize them according to the SDGs.
  • Task 3: Identify synergies between IUPAC projects.
  • Task 4: Develop project materials for an open-access online database within the IUPAC.org platform to illustrate the contributions of IUPAC projects to the SDGs.
  • Task 5: Provide suggestions to the project committee on incorporating the UN SDGs into the project selection process.
  • Task 6: Prepare and publish a report and recommendations for future IUPAC strategic plans to achieve the SDGs.

Project Progress and Outcomes

  • Task 1: A complete list of IUPAC projects analyzed and categorized by IUPAC committees and divisions was compiled in January 2021. The list highlighted the connection between IUPAC projects and the SDGs.
  • Task 2: A comprehensive list of IUPAC projects categorized by the SDGs was completed in June 2021. The results showed that 253 of the 262 projects selected for review had a primary relationship with 12 of the 17 SDGs.
  • Task 4: An online database and report were launched on the IUPAC website in December 2021. The database provides detailed information on IUPAC projects and their contributions to the SDGs.
  • Task 5: In May 2022, the project committee received suggestions on integrating the UN SDGs into the project selection process.
  • Task 6: In June 2022, a report and recommendations for developing action plans to achieve the UN SDGs were published.

Project Benefits and Significance

  • Understanding IUPAC's Role: The project helps clarify how IUPAC initiated global discussions on the need for other international organizations to analyze the role of science in achieving the UN SDGs.
  • Addressing Challenges: It demonstrates how IUPAC projects tackle local, regional, and global challenges using chemical concepts.
  • Contributing to Specific SDGs: The project clarifies the contributions of IUPAC projects to specific SDGs.
  • Developing Research Lines: It provides information to develop new research directions in green and sustainable chemistry.
  • Teaching Resources: It develops knowledge and materials for teaching green and sustainable chemistry.
  • Enhancing Influence: It ensures IUPAC's perspectives on green and sustainable chemistry carry significant weight among other international organizations.
  • Evidence and Advice: It offers evidence and recommendations to the president and executive committee to develop action plans for achieving the UN SDGs.
  • Industry Collaboration: It establishes partnerships with industrial stakeholders to help achieve the UN SDGs.

Specific Project Examples

  • Project 2014-031-600: "The Environmental and Health Challenges of E-waste and Its Management: An Emerging 21st Century Global Concern." Its primary goal aligns with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), specifically Target 12.4 and 12.5. It also has strong connections to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), particularly Target 17.7. Additionally, it aligns with SDG 4 (Quality Education), Target 4.7.
  • Project 2020-014-3-050: "Systems Thinking for Sustainability: Toward 2030 and Beyond (STCS 2030+)." This project exemplifies contributions to SDG 4, Target 4.7.

Future Plans

IUPAC envisions refining and sharing the data collected through an online database platform, including participation in the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development. It also plans to design a roadmap for future IUPAC projects, ensuring that project proposals and resulting web pages identify associated SDGs as part of its commitment to fostering sustainable development through chemistry.