SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

SDG 8 is to “promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.”

Did you know…

In many areas around the world, there are people working in unsafe environments. A recent investigation into 55 countries found that there were 3 deaths per 100,000 employees and around 889 non-fatal injuries per 100,000 people, this was due to unsafe working conditions.

Unemployment is a concern, also. A fifth of the world is not in education so are not gaining any knowledge or skills (see SDG 4: Quality Education). As a result of this, youth unemployment is considerably higher than adult unemployment. The number of women in work is half of that of the number of men (see SDG 5: Gender Equality).

Targets

• “Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7% gross domestic product growth per year in the least developed countries.”

• “Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation… with developed countries taking the lead.”

How chemistry can help

This may be a less obvious goal that chemistry is related, but it really is. The chemical industry is massive so creates millions of jobs around the world. According to the European Chemical Industry Council, the chemical industry contributes $5.7 trillion dollars to the world GDP. As it is such a broad industry, it links to almost all other industries, this value accounts for the direct and indirect contributions.  

Many chemical companies put health and safety at the heart of their work. They provide sufficient equipment and procedures to ensure their safety, which is beneficial to both the employees and meeting this goal. If employees are healthy, they can continue to work well which benefits them (see SDG 1: No Poverty) and also the economy.