Goal 8 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals underscores the importance of promoting decent work and sustainable economic growth as essential components of a prosperous and equitable society.
At its core, Goal 8 underscores the vital role of economic growth in advancing human development and improving living standards. However, this growth must be inclusive, ensuring that all individuals have access to decent work opportunities and benefit from economic progress.
Additionally, sustainable economic growth entails preserving environmental resources and safeguarding labour rights.
What does UN SDG 8 include?
To achieve this goal, the United Nations has outlined twelve targets that serve as actionable steps towards promoting decent work and sustainable economic growth:
Sustainable Economic Growth (Target 8.1): Sustain per capita economic growth, particularly in the least developed countries.
Diversify, Innovate, and Upgrade for Economic Productivity (Target 8.2): Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation.
Promote Policies to Support Job Creation and Growing Enterprises (Target 8.3): Foster development-oriented policies that support productive activities, entrepreneurship, and job creation, particularly in micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises.
Improve Resource Efficiency in Consumption and Production (Target 8.4): Enhance global resource efficiency and decouple economic growth from environmental degradation.
Full Employment and Decent Work with Equal Pay (Target 8.5): Achieve full and productive employment and ensure equal pay for work of equal value.
Promote Youth Employment, Education, and Training (Target 8.6): Reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training.
End Modern Slavery, Trafficking, and Child Labour (Target 8.7): Take measures to eradicate forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking, and child labour.
Protect labour Rights and Promote Safe Working Environments (Target 8.8): Safeguard labour rights and ensure safe and secure working environments for all workers.
Promote Beneficial and Sustainable Tourism (Target 8.9): Develop policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and preserves local culture and products.
Universal Access to Banking, Insurance, and Financial Services (Target 8.A): Strengthen domestic financial institutions to expand access to banking, insurance, and financial services for all individuals.
Increase Aid for Trade Support (Target 8.B): Provide increased Aid for Trade support for developing countries, particularly least developed countries.
Develop a Global Youth Employment Strategy (Target 8.C): Develop and implement a global strategy for youth employment, in line with the Global Jobs Pact of the International Labour Organization.
In conclusion, by implementing targeted policies and initiatives, societies can ensure that economic growth benefits all individuals while preserving environmental sustainability and upholding labour rights, the UN said.
To learn more about how to improve sustainability in your business, make sure you read www.sustainabilityonline.net. For more details on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, click here.
