we are creating A Better world

Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG13) is a global call to action embedded within the United Nations' broader framework of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at addressing the world's most pressing challenges by 2030. Specifically, SDG13 targets urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, acknowledging the existential threat that climate change poses to our ecosystems, economies, and societies (UN, 2024).

2015 Paris Agreement

A Global Commitment

The landmark Paris Agreement in 2015, under the UNFCCC, was a critical step forward, with 196 countries committing to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.

Early 21st Century

Accelerating Impacts and Agreements

The early 2000s witnessed more intense scientific focus and public recognition of climate change, with the IPCC's 2001 and subsequent reports highlighting the increasing certainty and severity of the impacts.

Mid- and Late-20th Century

Early Warnings and Research

Scientists increasingly linked human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, with potential global warming, leading to the first major conference on climate change, organized by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1979.

19th and Early 20th Century

Foundations of Climate Science

The foundation of climate science began in the 19th century with scientists like Joseph Fourier, John Tyndall, and Svante Arrhenius, who laid the groundwork by identifying the natural greenhouse effect and proposing that CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion could affect Earth's temperature.

Atmosphere

Both paragraph 31 of Agenda 2030 and paragraph 91 of the Future We Want note “the significant gap between the aggregate effect of Parties’ mitigation pledges in terms of global annual emissions of greenhouse gases by 2020 and aggregate emission pathways consistent with having a likely chance of holding the increase in global average temperature below 2 °C or 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels”.

Atmospheric CO2

The concentration of atmospheric CO2, the GHG that contributes more than 2/3 to global warming, is at its highest level ever. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) steadily points out that human activities have warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land, producing widespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and biosphere.

Information campaigns

The past 50 years have seen a rapid growth of human consumption, population, global trade and urbanisation, resulting in humanity using more of the Earth’s resources than it can replenish naturally.A 2020 WWF report found that the population sizes of mammals, fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians have experienced a decline of an average of 68% between 1970 and 2016.

It calls for deep, rapid, and sustained greenhouse gas emission reductions by 43% by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 to mitigate these impacts.

It reports that global climate finance flows reached an annual average of $603 billion in 2019-2020, but emphasizes the need for nearly $6 trillion by 2030, especially for developing countries.

The rate of sea-level rise has doubled in the last decade, which is an alarming acceleration of this particular consequence of global warming.

It is an urgent thing to get involved in SDG13. It is a crucial moment in battle against climate change. The year of 2022 was a moment of significance.

(Source: UN 2024)

Strengthen Resilience and Adaptive Capacity

Focuses on enhancing adaptive capacities to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

Integrate Climate Change Measures into Policies and Planning

Focuses on incorporating climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.

Build Knowledge and Capacity to Meet Climate Change

Emphasizing education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.

Renewable Energy Advancements

Beyond traditional solar and wind technologies, innovative renewable energy solutions include floating solar panels, which utilize water bodies to generate power while reducing water evaporation. Another advancement is the development of enhanced geothermal systems that can harness the Earth's heat more efficiently.

Green Urban Planning

Sustainable urban design incorporates green spaces, promotes the use of renewable energy, and encourages public transportation and cycling. Innovations include green roofs and walls, which can reduce building energy consumption, improve air quality, and provide urban greenery.

Sustainable Transportation

Advances in electric vehicle (EV) technologies, including battery storage improvements, are vital. Additionally, the development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles offers an alternative that only emits water vapor. Innovations in public transportation, such as hyperloop technology, can also significantly reduce carbon footprints.

The journey towards a sustainable climate is a collective endeavor that requires the engagement of all sectors of society, including governments, the private sector, civil society, and individuals. "Together for Tomorrow" signifies a unified approach to addressing the climate crisis, recognizing that our actions today will shape the climate legacy for future generations. By aligning our efforts with the SDG13 targets, we can forge a path toward a more sustainable and resilient planet.

References