Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) aims to “conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development” by 2030. This encompasses various targets, including reducing marine pollution, protecting marine ecosystems, and promoting sustainable fisheries practices. Analyzing the progress made by different countries is crucial to assess the path forward.
Top 5 Countries Leading in SDG 14:
- Denmark (85.68): Achieves high scores in marine protected area coverage, sustainable fisheries management, and minimizing marine pollution. (Source: Sustainable Development Report 2023)
- Sweden (85.43): Prioritizes responsible seafood consumption, promotes innovative solutions for plastic pollution, and actively manages marine ecosystems. (Source: Sustainable Development Report 2023)
- Finland (86.76): Maintains clean and healthy coastal waters, effectively implements regulations for sustainable fishing, and supports marine research and conservation. (Source: Sustainable Development Report 2023)
- Norway (85.08): Invests in sustainable seafood production, minimizes marine debris and pollution, and strengthens international cooperation on ocean conservation. (Source: Sustainable Development Report 2023)
- Netherlands (79.42): Combines robust coastal zone management with sustainable fishing practices and actively participates in global ocean governance initiatives. (Source: Sustainable Development Report 2023)
India’s Progress:
With an SDG 14 score of 64.77, India ranks 126th globally. While the country has initiated some positive measures like marine protected area expansion and plastic pollution awareness campaigns, challenges remain in addressing issues like overfishing, coastal pollution, and unsustainable fishing practices.
Key Achievements:
- Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Programme: Aims to promote sustainable development along India’s coastline by balancing conservation with economic activities. (Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change)
- Swachh Bharat Mission: This mission has contributed to improved sanitation and waste management in coastal areas, reducing pollution entering the ocean. (Source: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs)
- Mangrove Forest Conservation Efforts: India actively works to conserve and restore mangrove forests, which play a crucial role in preventing coastal erosion and protecting marine biodiversity. (Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change)
Areas for Improvement:
- Overfishing: Fishing pressure remains high in many Indian waters, leading to declining fish stocks and threatening marine ecosystems. (Source: Food and Agriculture Organization)
- Coastal Pollution: Untreated sewage and industrial waste continue to pollute coastal waters, harming marine life and impacting human health. (Source: Central Pollution Control Board)
- Unsustainable Fishing Practices: Destructive fishing methods and inadequate regulations contribute to overfishing and ecosystem degradation. (Source: World Wildlife Fund)
What India Can Do:
- Implement effective fisheries management: Strengthen regulations, promote selective fishing techniques, and combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
- Reduce marine pollution: Invest in wastewater treatment infrastructure, promote responsible waste disposal practices, and develop innovative solutions for plastic pollution.
- Expand marine protected areas: Increase the coverage of marine protected areas to conserve critical habitats and marine biodiversity.
- Promote sustainable seafood consumption: Raise awareness about responsible seafood choices and support sustainable fishing practices.
- Enhance international cooperation: Collaborate with other countries and international organizations to address global ocean challenges.
Source of Information:
- Sustainable Development Report 2023: https://s3.amazonaws.com/sustainabledevelopment.report/2023/2023-sustainable-development-report.pdf: https://s3.amazonaws.com/sustainabledevelopment.report/2023/2023-sustainable-development-report.pdf
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: https://moef.gov.in/moef/index.html: https://moef.gov.in/moef/index.html
- Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs: https://mohua.gov.in/: https://mohua.gov.in/
- Food and Agriculture Organization: https://www.fao.org/home/en: https://www.fao.org/home/en
- Central Pollution Control Board: https://cpcb.nic.in/: https://cpcb.nic.in/
- World Wildlife Fund: https://www.worldwildlife.org/: https://www.worldwildlife.org/
By taking action to address these challenges and prioritizing sustainable ocean practices, India can strive towards achieving SDG 14