Review of Targets for the Sustainable Development Goals: The Science Perspective

Prepared as an independent scientific review of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by more than 40 contributing authors from 21 countries, this publication provides accessible and concise scientific assessment. Both collectively and individually, the goals are assessed as to whether or not they are backed by scientific evidence, whether they address the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development in an integrated, and whether they are sufficiently specific to be effectively implemented and monitored. Each goal is graded and concrete recommendations are made for refining the goals or in planning for their implementation.

This unique tool is designed for negotiators, technical support teams, and other actors, intent on defining a universal, integrated, and transformational set of global goals and targets for sustainable development.