Global Sustainable Development Report 2019

The Future is Now: Science for Achieving Sustainable Development

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The Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR) 2019, titled “The Future is Now: Science for Achieving Sustainable Development”, is an important United Nations publication that explores both the progress made and the challenges faced in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The report is not just a review of statistics or policies—it is a scientific and evidence-based study that highlights how humanity must rethink its current path of development to ensure a sustainable future for all.

The GSDR 2019 builds on the recognition that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted in 2015, represent one of the most ambitious global agendas in history. These goals cover every aspect of human and planetary well-being, from eradicating poverty and hunger to addressing climate change and protecting biodiversity. However, progress toward them requires more than traditional methods of governance. The report highlights that science must play a central role in shaping solutions, guiding decision-making, and helping societies to balance economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection in an integrated way.

Origins and Background of the GSDR

The roots of the GSDR go back to the Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development held in 2012. During this conference, world leaders realized that the global community could not continue to follow the same old models of development if it wanted to tackle 21st-century challenges. Problems like climate change, water scarcity, food insecurity, and widening inequality were interconnected, meaning that progress in one area often came at the cost of another.

To address this, leaders proposed the idea of creating a science-based report that would provide governments and stakeholders with the best available knowledge for making informed choices. This vision later became the Global Sustainable Development Report. By 2016, the United Nations agreed that the GSDR would be published every four years, with the aim of supporting discussions at the UN General Assembly’s High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.

The report is prepared by an independent group of 15 scientists, appointed by the UN Secretary-General. These scientists are chosen from diverse backgrounds, representing different regions, disciplines, and institutions. Gender balance and geographical diversity are also considered to ensure fairness and inclusivity. The 2019 edition was the first full report prepared by this independent scientific group, making it a significant milestone in the global journey toward sustainable development.

A Sense of Urgency: Why “The Future is Now”

The title of the 2019 report—“The Future is Now”—captures its central message: the world cannot afford to wait until 2030 to take action. The challenges facing humanity, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, rising inequality, and poverty, are already having severe impacts today. Delaying action will only make these problems worse and harder to solve in the future.

The report makes it clear that although some progress has been achieved since the adoption of the SDGs, it is not happening at the scale or speed required. For instance, millions of people have been lifted out of poverty, yet extreme poverty still affects large populations, particularly in developing regions. Similarly, renewable energy use is growing, but fossil fuels remain dominant, leading to continued greenhouse gas emissions.

What makes the situation even more urgent is the strain that current development patterns place on natural resources. Ecosystems are being degraded, forests are shrinking, species are disappearing, and the climate system is becoming more unstable. These trends not only threaten the environment but also human health, livelihoods, and long-term well-being. The report therefore insists that immediate action is essential to shift the world onto a sustainable path.

A Systems Perspective: Linking the Goals

One of the most valuable insights of the GSDR 2019 is its focus on the interconnected nature of the SDGs. Unlike the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which often treated issues separately, the SDGs are designed as a network of linked targets. Success in one area often depends on progress in another.

For example, improving food security by increasing agricultural production may seem positive. However, if this is done without considering the impact on water resources, soil health, or climate emissions, it can lead to long-term damage. Similarly, efforts to expand cities and infrastructure without addressing sustainability can result in urban pollution, poor living conditions, and social inequality.

The GSDR calls for integrated and cross-sectoral policies that recognize these links. This approach, known as a systems perspective, emphasizes that development cannot be pursued in isolation. Instead, governments and organizations must look at how different policies interact and design strategies that produce benefits across multiple goals at once.

Six Key Transformations for Sustainable Development

To guide action, the GSDR 2019 identifies six “entry points” where major transformations can create significant positive change. These areas represent the core systems that drive global economies and societies, and transforming them is seen as essential to achieving the SDGs.

Inequality as a Barrier to Sustainability

The GSDR 2019 pays special attention to the issue of inequality. While global poverty has declined over the past few decades, inequality between and within countries remains a serious challenge. Wealth is increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few, while marginalized groups—such as women, indigenous peoples, and rural communities—are often left behind.

Inequality also affects how environmental problems are experienced. For example, poorer communities are more likely to live in areas affected by pollution, natural disasters, or resource scarcity. Without fair policies, these groups will continue to bear the greatest burden of environmental and economic shocks.

The report argues that tackling inequality is not just a matter of fairness but also of effectiveness. Inclusive societies are more resilient, more innovative, and better able to achieve the SDGs. Governments must therefore design policies that ensure equal opportunities, access to resources, and social protection for all.

The Role of Science, Technology, and Innovation

Science, technology, and innovation are presented in the GSDR as powerful enablers of change. From renewable energy technologies to advances in healthcare and education, scientific progress has the potential to accelerate sustainable development. However, the report warns that access to science and innovation is uneven.

Many developing countries struggle with limited funding for research, weak institutions, and lack of infrastructure. This creates a gap in their ability to apply scientific solutions to local challenges. To address this, the GSDR calls for greater knowledge sharing and capacity building, so that developing nations can also benefit from new discoveries and innovations.

The report also emphasizes that science must be inclusive and participatory. Local communities, indigenous knowledge, and traditional practices can provide valuable insights into sustainability. Combining modern science with local knowledge systems can create more practical and culturally appropriate solutions.

Partnerships and Global Cooperation

Achieving the SDGs requires strong global partnerships. The GSDR underlines the importance of cooperation between governments, businesses, academic institutions, civil society, and local communities. No single actor can achieve sustainability alone.

International collaboration is particularly critical when it comes to protecting global commons, managing cross-border resources, and addressing climate change. At the same time, national governments need to integrate the SDGs into their policies and development plans, while local communities must be empowered to take ownership of solutions.

Challenges and Barriers

Despite the opportunities highlighted in the report, the path to sustainable development faces numerous challenges. Political will is often lacking, with short-term economic interests taking priority over long-term sustainability. Financial constraints also limit investments in sustainable infrastructure and innovation.

Moreover, deep-rooted patterns of consumption and production—such as reliance on fossil fuels, mass consumption, and waste generation—are difficult to change. Cultural attitudes, vested interests, and lack of awareness can slow down the adoption of sustainable practices.

The GSDR emphasizes that overcoming these barriers will require bold leadership, innovative policies, and strong public engagement.

The Way Forward

The 2019 GSDR concludes on a note of both urgency and optimism. It makes clear that achieving the SDGs is still possible, but only if the world acts decisively and without delay. Governments, businesses, and individuals must embrace sustainable pathways that respect the environment, reduce inequality, and promote human well-being.

The phrase “The Future is Now” reflects the central message: delaying action will increase costs, risks, and human suffering, while bold steps taken today can secure a more prosperous and sustainable future for all.

Conclusion

The Global Sustainable Development Report 2019 stands as a landmark document in the global pursuit of sustainability. It highlights the importance of science in guiding decision-making, stresses the need for integrated approaches, and identifies key transformations that can drive progress. Above all, it calls for urgent action, reminding the world that the window for achieving the SDGs is narrowing.

With less than a decade remaining until 2030, the report urges leaders and societies not to wait for the future but to recognize that the future is already here, and the time to act is now.