The Guardian: How can we reach an SDG target when we’re moving in the wrong direction?
Susan Nicolai, head of development progress at the Overseas Development Institute

“…[I]n order to reach the [Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)] by 2030, we need to act now. … Our research shows that without increased effort, none of the goals will be met for all people everywhere, although progress on some issues and for some people will inevitably move faster than others. … A large number of … goals are heading in the right direction, yet they would need to speed up by several multiples of current rates in order to reach SDG targets. This includes the ‘unfinished business’ of the MDGs in areas such as hunger, health, education, sanitation, and gender. … Most worryingly, however, are a group of SDG targets that require outright reversals in their trajectories. Based on analysis we conducted, there are five targets needing complete turnaround: reducing inequality, limiting slum populations, reducing waste, combating climate change, and protecting marine environments. … [D]eveloped countries are set to play a significant role in any success or failure to achieve gains in these areas. More attention is needed to these about-turns if there is any hope of attainment of the SDG agenda” (10/5).