SDG 1: No Poverty

SDG 1 is to “end poverty in all its forms everywhere.”

Did you know…

Poverty can cause violent conflicts, vulnerability to disasters, and deprivation. In 2018, 8.6% of the global population experienced extreme poverty. 

In 2020, we are developing more and more advanced technologies. You would think therefore that poverty should be greatly reduced, or even eliminated completely. However, the goal that the United Nations has set to be achieved by 2030 does not seem as likely to be reached. 

The aim set by the UN is to achieve less than 3% of the world living in extreme poverty by 2030. However, it’s been estimated that by 2030 6% of the global population will be still living in poverty.

Targets

• “By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.”

• “By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology and financial services, including microfinance.”

• “By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters.”

How Chemistry can help 

The chemical sector could help to solve poverty by creating new jobs with living wages and benefits for the employees. Almost 20 million people are employed directly or indirectly by the chemical industry; more than 96% of all manufactured goods are affected by chemistry. Moreover, that gives the opportunity for new investments and partnerships. Furthermore, the chemical companies could improve infrastructure and thus, strengthen communities. Finally, in this way economies could grow in countries where the need is greatest through innovative products which are aiming to support an affordable and accessible shelter and other basic goods (see SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Chemistry has helped to eradicate deadly diseases allowing people to live longer and better (see SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing).

Chemical technologies enable water conservation and reuse, and the transformation of contaminated water into clean, safe water (see SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation).