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The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Funeral Sector
By Katarzyna Supa, funeral innovation research, editor-in-chief of THANOS magazine
The United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development represents an ambitious global action plan for people, planet, and prosperity. Adopted in 2015 by all UN Member States, the agenda is anchored by 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to eradicate poverty, protect the environment, and foster peace and prosperity for all. As we progress toward 2030, industries worldwide are scrutinized for their alignment with these goals - and the funeral industry is no exception. Can the sector meet the SDGs in the next 5 years? This article explores the history, goals, and practices of the funeral industry in light of this transformative agenda.
With the release of this issue of THANOS magazine we encouraged our members to reflect on their readiness to fulfil the commitments set by the United Nations, or whether they have already achieved them. The feedback we received shows that some companies are more advanced than the others. We want to inspire the funeral sector by showing the good examples worth following, so in the next few issues of THANOS magazine, we will describe the following goals in the context of the funeral sector. Stay tuned!
A Brief History of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs
The roots of the 2030 Agenda lie in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), adopted in 2000 focused primarily on reducing extreme poverty and improving access to education, health care, and clean water. By 2015, significant progress had been made, but gaps remained. Recognizing the need for a more inclusive and comprehensive framework, world leaders launched the 17 SDGs, designed to tackle social, economic, and environmental challenges holistically.
The SDGs encompass areas as diverse as gender equality, clean energy, responsible consumption, and climate action. Their universality ensures that no sector, industry, or community is left behind in contributing to sustainable development.
These 17 Sustainable Development Goals are:
1. No Poverty: Eradicate extreme poverty for all.
2. Zero Hunger: End hunger and ensure access to nutritious food.
3. Good Health and Well-being: Promote healthy lives and well-being for all ages.
4. Quality Education: Ensure inclusive, equitable education and lifelong learning opportunities.
5. Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
6. Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensure availability of clean water and sanitation.
7. Affordable and Clean Energy: Ensure access to sustainable, affordable energy.
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promote inclusive, sustainable economic growth and decent work.
9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Build resilient infrastructure and foster innovation.
10. Reduced Inequalities: Reduce inequality within and among countries.
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make urban areas inclusive, safe, and sustainable.
12. Responsible Consumption and Production: Promote sustainable consumption and reduce waste.
13. Climate Action: Urgently combat climate change and its impacts.
14. Life Below Water: Conserve oceans, seas, and marine resources.
15. Life on Land: Protect ecosystems, forests, and biodiversity.
16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Promote peaceful, inclusive societies.
17. Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthen global partnerships for sustainable development.
Would you like to read the whole article
and learn more about good practices and examples worth following in the funeral sector?
Read the spring issue of THANOS magazine - you can read online at pages 12-14
FIAT-IFTA is the only internationally governed funeral Federation with National, Active And Associate Members in more than 80 countries.
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