India ranks 117th on 17 SDGs of UN’s 2030 Agenda: Report

The State of India’s Environment Report 2021 on June 6, 2021, released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) revealed that India’s rank slipped two places from last year to rank 117^th on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted as a part of the 2030 agenda by 193 United Nations Member States in 2015.

Last year, India ranked 115^th and slipped by two places this year owing to major SDGs that remain unfulfilled in the country such as SDG 2: Ending hunger and achieving food security, SDG 5: Achieving gender equality, and SDG 9: Building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation.

The report further stated that India’s overall SDG score is 61.9 out of 100, and it ranks below four South Asian countries, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

Also read: India ranks 120^th in Sustainable Development Report 2021

The report also mentioned that Bihar and Jharkhand are the least prepared states in the country to be able to meet the SDGs by 2030, the target year. Bihar lags in seven of the SDGs while Jharkhand lags in five.

Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, and Kerala are the states/UTs with the best overall score which are on track to achieving the SDGs.

Environmental Performance Index (EPI): India

As per the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2020 report by Yale University, India ranked 168 out of 180 countries. The EPI is calculated on indicators such as biodiversity, sanitation and drinking water, air pollution, climate, environmental health, ecosystem services, etc.

India ranked 172 in the environmental health category of the EPI, which indicates how well the country is guarding its population against environmental health risks. India’s rank was 148 while Pakistan’s rank was 127 in the biodiversity and habitat category, the indicator to assess actions taken by countries towards protecting biodiversity and retaining natural ecosystems.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

The United Nations Member States in 2015 adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that provides a blueprint for prosperity and peace for plants and people, in the present and the future.

The 2030 Agenda comprises 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets. The 17 SDGs are:

SDG 1: No Poverty

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

SDG 4: Quality Education

SDG 5: Gender Equality

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

SDG 13: Climate Action

SDG 14: Life Below Water

SDG 15: Life on Land

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals