Nava Keralam and Sustainable Development Goals
Kerala is a state that has won many national level awards and accolades over the past several years across the different spheres of socio-economic development. These awards also serve as a recognition of its unique initiatives, which, in turn, has enabled the state to lead the way for its counterparts in almost all aspects of development and set an example for others. The direction of the state’s development course has been clearly laid out right since the start of the first cabinet headed by EMS Namboothirippad after the formation of Kerala. A governance system that emphasizes on the welfare of the people, its policy and development approaches has helped in elevating Kerala to this level. The Nava Keralam action plan, which aims at transforming the state and creating a New Kerala, has been launched with an eye on strengthening our achievements through the activities over the previous decades, address the shortcomings and take up new demands and challenges. The awards and firsts that we have won all these years are also a reflection of the quantum jump that the state has made in the spheres of development. One of the most significant facet of these awards is our achievements in the areas of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).It is a matter of pride that Kerala has been able to maintain the first position every time in the rankings by the NITI Ayog, which are based on the SDGs. The methodology of the SDGs can help us to strengthen further our approach towards development as well as the activities in this direction . It is also expected to help strengthen the programs based on it and move forward. The methodology of the SDGs can be used in particular for objective-oriented planning and implementation. Based on the policy approaches of the state itself, it will help to identify development gaps and shortcomings within the development framework and re-affirm the goals and move forward. Given this backdrop, there is also a need to ascertain what are these SDGs and where does Kerala stand as far as SDGs are concerned. The SDGs comprise a set of 17 targets set by the United Nations General Assembly with a view to end all forms of poverty, fight inequality, and tackle climate change by 2030. It includes interrelated goals in the areas of poverty, hunger, health, education, climate change, gender equality, water, sanitation, energy, urbanisation, environment and social justice etc. The SDGs aim to eradicate poverty, protect the earth and ensure prosperity through equitable development and environmental sustainability. The concept of SDGs was formed in the light of the principles adopted at the International Conference on Environment and Development organized by the United Nations from 3 to 14 June 1992 in Rio de Janeiro. The SDGs have been framed on the vision that a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature is a basic human right, as stated in the Rio Declaration. Sustainable development is a development approach in which the needs of the present generation are met without adversely affecting the ability and potential of future generations to meet their own needs. Kerala too shares the vision. Thus in 2015, the United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also called the Global Goals, as a universal call for action to end poverty, protect the planet that we inhabit, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by2030.
The Sustainable Development Goals are: 1. No poverty 2. Zero hunger 3. Good health and well-being 4. Quality education 5. Gender equality 6. Clean water and sanitation 7. Affordable and clean energy 8. Decent work and economic growth 9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure 10. Reduced inequality. 11. Sustainable cities and communities 12. Responsible consumption and production 13. Climate Action 14. Life below water 15. Life on land 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions 17. Partnership for the goals
Explaining The Sustainable Development Goals
1. No poverty (SDG1): End poverty everywhere by ensuring equitable access to resources, opportunities and basic services.
2. Zero Hunger (SDG 2):End hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
3. Good health and well-being (SDG 3): Ensure a healthy life for people at all ages with a focus on access to healthcare and disease prevention and promote well-being.
4. Quality Education (SDG 4): Ensuring Inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning and promotes learning opportunities for all.
5. Gender Equality(SDG 5): Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, and eliminate discrimination and violence.
6. Clean water and sanitation (SDG 6): To address water scarcity and pollution, ensure access to water and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
7. Affordable and clean energy (SDG 7): Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all, and develop renewable energy sources.
8. Decent work and economic growth (SDG 8): To Promote sustainable, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full-scale and productive employment and decent work for all.
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9): Building infrastructure that is resilient and inclusive. Promote sustainable industrialization and innovation.
10. Reduce inequality. (SDG 10): Reduce Inequality within and between countries and ensure equal opportunities and benefits for all
11. Sustainable Cities and communities (SDG 11): Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
12. Responsible consumption and production (SDG 12): Ensure sustainable consumption and production practices, reduce waste and promote sustainable practices.
13. Climate Action(SDG 13): Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Emphasize on adaptation and mitigation strategies.
14. Life below water (SDG 14): To ensure sustainable development, conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas and marine resources.
15. Life on land(SDG 15): Protect, restore and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and prevent biodiversity loss.
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16): Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
17. Partnership for the Goals (SDG 17): Strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing global partnerships for sustainable development. Give Emphasis to collaboration between governments, civil society and the private sector.
These 17 Sustainable Development Goals are integrated to balance economic, social and environmental sustainability in such a way that the action in one area does not adversely affect the actions and outcomes of other areas while intervening in different areas for development. `Transforming Our World, the 2030 agenda of Sustainable Development’ came into effect from 01.01.2016 after 193 Member States of the United Nations General Assembly adopted the agenda in a summit held in New York in September 2015. As part of it, a series of 17 goals and 169 sub-goals have been set in the Millennium Development Goals and these targets are to be achieved by December 31, 2030. As a signatory to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, our country too is committed to achieving these goals in a timely manner. For this, the NITI Ayog has developed a set of national indices based on the Global Indicators developed by the United Nations. It is on this basis that Kerala has been ranked first in these indices over the previous years.
Sustainable Development Goals India Index 1.0, Index 2.0
India’s Sustainable Development Goals Index 1.0 (SDGII 1.0) was announced in December 2018 even before the finalization of the national index framework. The index was created using 62 indicators covering the 13 Sustainable Development Goals. But at the same time, targets 12, 13, 14 and 17 were not included in the first year due to lack of data at the state level. Targets 12 and 13, however, were added to it later. The index provided information on the social, economic and environmental conditions of the country and the progress recorded by states and Union Territories in achieving the SDGs. All States and Union Territories are ranked on the basis their progress towards achieving the SDGs Sustainable Development Goals. After ranking in each of the objectives, they are graded on the basis of overall performance across different objectives to provide a composite score. Those with scores less than 50 (aspirants) are given red color, while performers with scores above 50 are marked in yellow (score between 50 and 64-50,60 inclusive). Green is the colour code allotted to the Front Runners (scores between 65-99 inclusive – 65,99) while blue is used to denote achievers with 100 score.
This figure shows the composite score of various Sustainable Development Goals of the state of Kerala from 2018 to 2020. The first two goals – zero poverty and zero hunger – have exhbited steady and promising growth It proves that hunger-free Kerala as well as the interventions towards eradicating extreme poverty and activities by the Kudumbashree have been effective. In terms of achieving gender equality (Goal 5) it shows a very significant growth during this period. The targets of addressing water scarcity and pollution and ensuring access and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all (goal 6) exhibits a major change. A huge shift too can be seen in ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all and developing renewable sources. The fact that the state has been able to score 100 percent in target 7 indicates that the mission to achieve Haritakeram (Green Kerala) as part of the Nava Keralam Action program is gradually moving towards the target. It is indicated that the activities carried out by various agencies as part of it are bearing fruits. The state’s composite score rose from 69 to 75 over a period of three years. It is interesting to note that Kerala stands at 75 while the national score is just 66. That the state has succeeded in maintaining the first position does not mean that there is room for complacency. We are guided by the realization that there is still more to advance in each of these goals and that is exactly why the second phase of Nava Keralam action plan was launched. By listing the sub-targets of each goal, the departments are planning time-bound programs to achieve the same. At the same time, as a state that boasts a strong local self-government system, the development activities carried out at the grass roots should be target based. If all departments and local self-governing bodies work together to define goals and subgoals at different levels using the indicators and implement them in a timely manner, we can achieve these goals much before 2030 and set an example to the world. It, in turn, will also give a major shot in the arm towards the creation of a Nava Keralam