University of Cape Town

Hunger is once more on the rise globally after having been kept in check for many years.

Oceans are crucial for human health and wellbeing. They provide inspiration, education and identity while regulating climate and air quality.

Around the world, millions of people live in fragile, conflict-affected areas. At the end of 2019, some 1% of the global population had been forcibly displaced.

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered the greatest economic crisis in decades, with the manufacturing and transport industries among the sectors most impacted by the global restriction of movement of people and goods.

Humans are part of the natural world and healthy, biodiverse ecosystems are essential to sustaining our lives. Yet, land degradation, habitat fragmentation and climate change have led to their widespread destruction.

Realising the sprawling complexity and the international interconnectedness of the SDGs requires multiple partnerships and types of partnerships. This is recognised in Goal 17, and universities have a critical role to play.

Climate change continues unabated and is affecting every country on every continent.

More than two-thirds of the world’s population will be living in cities by 2050, compared with just over half today.

Unsustainable production and consumption is driving climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution – and it shows no sign of abating.