Sustainability Goal 14 (SDG 14)

Sustainability Goal 14 – ‘life below water’

The Sustainable Development Goal 14 – ‘Life below water’ – makes 1 of 17 goals which the United Nations set up in Paris Climate Agreement in 2015. The SDGs are interconnected – only if realized altogether, we can tackle the problem of climate change. Most of the SDGs aim at the deadline of 2030.

1. 1. No Poverty
  2. Zero Hunger
  3. Good Health and Well-being
  4. Quality Education
  5. Gender Equality
  6. Clean Water and Sanitation
  7. Affordable and Clean Energy
  8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
  9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  10. Reducing Inequality
  11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
  12. Responsible Consumption and Production
  13. Climate Action
  14. Life Below Water
  15. Life On Land
  16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
  17. Partnerships for the Goals

SDG 14

The Sustainable Development Goal 14 is about the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, seas and marine resources. It represents the core of Ocean. Now!’s concept. SDG14 contains a variety of areas. The sub goals of SDG 14 are (shortened, source: UN):

14.1 By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds.

14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts.

14.3 Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

14.4 By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing.

14.5 By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas.

14.6 By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

14.7 By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources.

14.A Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology.

14.B Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets.

14.C Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS.

SDG 14.1 - How Ocean. Now! contributes

Ocean. Now! contributes to SDG 14.1 with its campaign #1 “Microplastics in cosmetics and cleaning products” and helps with its work on a big impact leve to “Prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution”.

Within SDG 14.1, we address the “least tangible” area of microplastics – we know that it is unnecessary to add microplastics to cosmetics and cleaning products. Knowing about the toxicity of a high concentration of microplastics and being aware of the fact that the current concentration of microplastics in our atmosphere is rising constantly, we demand that kind of microplastics should be avoided. There are alternatives many brands already work with.

‘Leave No One Behind’

At the core of the adoption of the COP 2030 Agenda stands an ethical principle – ‘leave no one behind’. It means the prioritisation and fast-tracking of actions for the poorest and most marginalised people – known as progressive universalism. If instead, policy is implemented among better-off groups first and worst-off groups later, the existing gap between them is likely to increase.

Ensuring that these commitments are translated into effective action requires a precise understanding of target populations. However, the disaggregated data needed to address all vulnerable groups – including children, youth, persons with disabilities, people living with HIV, older persons, indigenous peoples, refugees, internally displaced persons and migrants.

The “Leave No One Behind” principle is very strong and we hope that it is considered by the richest countries in the world the most – leaving others behind will always have repercussions on the rest of the world. We wish that this wisdom spreads across the entire planet.