SDGs in the Alps Sustainable Development Goals
Discover how the Alpine Convention is contributing to the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals!
The Alpine Convention is an example of the transnational implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Long before the SDGs were established, the eight Alpine countries and the European Union had already come together to work for a more sustainable development of the Alpine region.
Introduction
The Alps harbour some of the most amazing wilderness in the core of Europe, the peaks and glaciers they are famous for. But another major Alpine feature is the varied cultural landscapes, shaped by centuries, in fact millennia, of human occupation. Finding a balance between environmental protection, economic development, and the social wellbeing of the Alpine inhabitants is not just “nice to have” – it is key for a good life in the Alps, now and in the future. Sustainable development is therefore an established concept in the Alpine region – an area in which the Alpine Convention is leading the way.
Sustainable development in the Alps can only be successful if the social and economic models consider the needs and opinions of people living in the Alpine area. It is also about raising awareness about the essential and intrinsic role of a preserved nature in the quality of life in the Alps: as a basis for agriculture, tourism and recreation, to protect us from natural hazards and for many more important ecosystem services.
Did you know?
Many of the Alpine Convention documents, publications, and activities are already aligned to one or more of the SDGs, offering an example of their implementation in practice! Explore the connections between the SDGs and the work of the Convention in the interactive graphic below.
The Alpine Convention's topics and the SDGs
The 17
Goals
The 17 Goals
Goal 1
No poverty
Quality of life, Mountain Agriculture, Population and Culture
End poverty in all its forms everywhere
read moreGoal 2
Zero Hunger
Quality of life, Climate Change, Mountain Agriculture, Soil Conservation
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
read moreGoal 3
Good health and well-being
Quality of life, Spatial Planning, Transport
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
read moreGoal 4
Quality education
Quality of life, Population and Culture, Soil Conservation
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
read moreGoal 5
Gender equality
Quality of life
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
read moreGoal 6
Clean water and sanitation
Quality of life, Climate Change, Forests, Water Management
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
read moreGoal 7
Affordable and clean energy
Quality of life, Energy, Forests, Mountain Agriculture, Water Management
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
read moreGoal 8
Decent work and economic growth
Quality of life, Climate Change, Green Economy, Population and Culture, Spatial Planning, Transport, Water Management
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
read moreGoal 9
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Quality of life, Climate Change, Energy, Green Economy, Population and Culture, Spatial Planning, Transport, Water Management
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
read moreGoal 10
Reduced inequalities
Energy, Green Economy, Population and Culture
Reduce inequality within and among countries
read moreGoal 11
Sustainable cities and communities
Quality of life, Climate Change, Forests, Mountain Agriculture, Natural Hazards, Population and Culture, Spatial Planning, Transport
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
read moreGoal 12
Responsible consumption and production
Climate Change, Energy, Forests, Green Economy, Mountain Agriculture, Population and Culture, Tourism, Water Management
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
read moreGoal 13
Climate action
Quality of life, Energy, Forests, Green Economy, Natural Hazards, Soil Conservation, Spatial Planning, Tourism, Transport, Water Management
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
read moreGoal 14
Life below water
Climate Change
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
read moreGoal 15
Life on land
Quality of life, Climate Change, Biodiversity and Nature Conservation, Forests, Mountain Agriculture, Soil Conservation, Water Management
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
read moreGoal 16
Peace, justice and strong institutions
Quality of life, Climate Change, Biodiversity and Nature Conservation, Green Economy, Natural Hazards, Population and Culture
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
read moreGoal 17
Partnerships for the goals
Quality of life, Climate Change, Biodiversity and Nature Conservation, Energy, Forests, Green Economy, Mountain Agriculture, Natural Hazards, Population and Culture, Soil Conservation, Spatial Planning, Tourism, Transport, Water Management
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
read moreWhat are the Sustainable Development Goals?
The United Nations adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. The Goals are a universal call to action to improve the livelihoods of people around the world and to protect the planet and ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for all. Find out more about the Goals.