Financial assets safeguard the pursuit of future-fitness

Poverty is about more than lack of income. It is about ensuring everyone has the resources and resilience needed to secure a sustainable livelihood.

Hundreds of millions of people today go hungry, while unsustainable farming practices degrade soil quality, use too much water, reduce biodiversity, and put rural communities under pressure.

Health is a fundamental human right and a key indicator of sustainable development. In recent years notable progress has been made, but significant challenges remain.

Education is the cornerstone of a healthy society. It empowers people to improve their lives and futures, and affords them the knowledge and competencies necessary for sustainable development.

Providing women and girls with equal access to education, health care, decent work, and representation in decision-making processes will fuel sustainable economies and benefit communities and society at large.

Access to clean freshwater is a fundamental human right, yet millions of people today do not have access to clean water for drinking, cooking and sanitation.

Energy is central to nearly every major challenge and opportunity the world faces today. Access for all to affordable, reliable, renewable and clean energy is essential for sustainable development.

Sustainable economic growth requires society to create conditions that allow the whole working age population to have quality jobs which stimulate the economy while not harming the environment.

Growth in productivity and incomes, and improvements in health and education, require innovation and investment in critical infrastructure such as transport, irrigation, energy, and information technology.

Economic growth reduces poverty only if it is inclusive, yet inequality persists within and among countries, and large disparities remain in terms of access to health and education services and other assets.

Half of humanity now lives in cities, and the number is increasing. For cities to thrive we must address the pressures that rapid urbanization is placing on freshwater, infrastructure, air quality and people’s health.

Sustainable consumption and production aims to do more and better with less, increasing net welfare gains from economic activities that reduce resource use, degradation and pollution.

The effects of climate change - from changing weather patterns and more extreme weather events to rising sea levels - are impacting all countries, disrupting national economies and affecting people's lives.

The world’s oceans – their temperature, chemistry, currents and life – drive natural processes that make the Earth habitable for humankind. Careful management of this global resource is critical to our future.

Land degradation, deforestation and desertification - caused by human activities and climate change - pose big challenges to sustainable development and undermine the livelihoods of millions of people.

Trust is the foundation of a strong and resilient society. To foster trust, we must ensure that institutions at all levels are accountable, transparent, inclusive and just.