What is a 'sustainable development goal' (SDG)?

A sustainable development goal (SDG) refers specifically to a global initiative set forth by the United Nations aimed at addressing pressing global challenges, including poverty, inequality, and climate change. The SDGs are part of a broader 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015. This agenda includes 17 interconnected goals that provide a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet.

The SDGs are designed to be universal, applying to all countries regardless of their development status, and emphasize the importance of collaboration among nations to tackle these challenges collectively. They encompass a wide range of dimensions such as environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and economic growth, reflecting the integrated nature of sustainable development.

In this context, the other options do not accurately describe the essence of SDGs. For instance, economic liquidation or local goals do not encompass the global and collaborative nature of the SDGs, and a mere focus on economic growth fails to account for the social and environmental dimensions that are critical to sustainability.