Scientists and politicians at odds over sustainable development goals

SciDev.Net : The most recent version of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) lays out 169 targets spread across 17 goals. The report is the result of 13 working group meetings over some 16 months. However, scientists say many of the scientifically quantified targets of earlier versions have been removed. Two of the targets that pertain to climate change—zero biodiversity loss and a two-degree Celsius limit for temperature rise—and that appeared in earlier versions are essential, according to Johan Rockström, executive director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre in Sweden. “What politicians need to recognise is that if you lock yourself to these two targets, the methods to achieve these force you to address most other environmental challenges,” he said. Among those who disagree is Guido Schmidt-Traub, executive director of the UN initiative Sustainable Development Solutions Network. He says that although such targets should be considered, the most important thing is to trim the overall document down to a manageable list of goals and targets. The report is scheduled to be reviewed by the UN General Assembly in September.