Pollution of our air, water, and land are a major development challenge around the world, particularly as population, urbanization, and industrialization increases, and so do the negative environmental externalities associated with this change. These impact human health with associated mortality and morbidity, as well as impacting natural ecosystems. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and related Targets also have a strong focus pollution and related environmental health. Most of these goals and targets relate to many aspects of a clean environment but some of the primary ones include:
SDG3 (good health and well-being) especially Target 3.9 on reducing number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination
SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) especially Target 6.3 on improving water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe use globally and Target 6.6 to protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes
SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy)especially Target 7a to enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology
SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure) especially Target 9.4 to upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities.
SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities) especially Target 11.6 on reducing the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities (including air quality and municipal and other waste management) and Target 11.2 on access to sustainable transport
SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production) especially Target 12.4 related to the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their lifecycle in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment
SDG 13 (climate action) especially Target 13.2 to integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning (where short-lived climate pollutants could be addressed)
SDG 17 (partnership for the goals) especially Target 17.6 on the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the SDGs in all countries, in particular developing countries
Technology could provide many different options for better managing the pollutant emissions and exposure and there are a range of examples that are seeking to not just improve traditional technologies but use completely new approaches fueled by modern digital frameworks to address these challenges.
Some examples of the global transition to cleaner, low carbon economy through technology and innovation are indicated below. Navigate to technologies and innovations related to: