- Kenya has achieved significant milestones since the SDGs came into effect in January 2016.
- While advancements have been made, experts across various sectors have repeatedly noted that it is clear that there is more work to be done.
Image: HANDOUT
Nine years since the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were unveiled, only about three are on track, depicting slowed implementation that could cost economies billions annually by 2050.
Global Compact Network Kenya, a local network of the United Nations now says the current rate of progress will do little to support attainment of the goals by 2030, the target year.
“With only 15 per cent of the SDGs on track, economies globally stand to lose an extra $38 trillion per year,” the lobby says.
“With the SDG financing gap at approximately $11–15 trillion per year, or four times greater than current spending levels, the $38 trillion is approximately 20 per cent of the entire global economy and the longer we wait the more expensive it will become.”
Speaking at a leadership in action dialogue in Nairobi organised by the UN network, business leader, campaigner and author Paul Polman called on the Kenyan private sector should be deeply involves as it has the potential to advance the global goals.
“The cost of inaction on the SDGs is significantly higher in Africa than any other part of the world, currently estimated at between $8-$9 trillion per year," Polman said.
"The private sector is capable of accelerating the process, moving the country and the African continent at large forward faster.”
Polman noted that the pace of climate action is not sufficient to reverse the worst impacts of the changing climate.
He warned that without strong leadership, global temperature will surpass the 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels to levels as high as 2.5℃ to 2.9℃ degrees, on the current trajectory.
It is on this basis that he further called on the Kenyan business community to embark on responsible social cooperation practices, noting that by the end of 2050-2060, there will be over one billion climate refugees globally hence the need to act urgently by moving to a sustainable business model that is regenerative and restorative.
Kenya has achieved significant milestones since the SDGs came into effect in January 2016.
The country has so far launched the SDGs Implementation process, prepared the MDGs end term report that provided baseline and lessons learnt and prepared the SDGs road map.
Kenya has also mainstreamed SDGs into the planning frameworks, prepared progress reports including the first VNR in 2017, provided policy gaps analysis and assessed the SDGs awareness across the country.
Notably, SDG 13, focused on climate action has witnessed commendable progress in the country.
This can be attributed, in part, to the concerted efforts to increase tree cover and address climate change.
While advancements have been made, experts across various sectors have repeatedly noted that it is clear that there is more work to be done.
Global Compact Network Kenya Executive Director Judy Njino lauded the the Forward Faster initiative by UN seeking to further the country's achievements while pioneering additional efforts for faster Goals implementation.