Targets, Tensions, and Alternative Paths to Dispute Resolution
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted in 2015 as a shared roadmap for the future of the world. Seventeen goals — including ending poverty, reducing inequalities, and taking concrete action against the climate crisis — were set as global standards to be achieved by 2030. Over the past decade, the world has been shaped by transformative events — a pandemic, economic shocks, conflicts, and deepening inequalities.
Now, in 2025, we are at a critical juncture. The Sustainable Development Report 2025 not only shows how much progress has been made across the 17 goals, but also clearly reveals why that progress has slowed — and, in some areas, even reversed. According to the report, only a small portion of the targets are expected to be achieved by 2030, highlighting persistent structural challenges in the global system.
This article takes a brief look at where each goal stands today — but also raises another key question: What kinds of disputes are arising, or could arise, in the pursuit of these goals?
Because while tackling poverty, questions of entitlement emerge; managing water resources may spark regional tensions; and implementing climate policies can lead to inter-sectoral conflict. Each goal contains not only ambition, but also friction points that require thoughtful and fair resolution strategies.
Goal 1: No poverty
Only 17% of targets are projected to be achieved globally by 2030, and progress on poverty eradication has nearly stalled. In Sub-Saharan Africa, more than 40% of the population still lives in extreme poverty.
Issues such as the distribution of social aid, access to public services, and resource allocation can create tensions among individuals and communities due to perceived inequalities.
Goal 2: Zero hunger
There has been a decline in key indicators such as sustainable nitrogen management and agricultural productivity. Global food security has deteriorated, with 735 million people facing chronic hunger as of 2023.
Inequities in food access, distribution of agricultural subsidies, and the use of natural resources may lead to disputes between producers, institutions, and communities.
Goal 3: Good health and well-being
Although under-five mortality has declined, weak health systems and shrinking development aid have put progress at risk. According to the 2025 report, 30% of the world’s population still lacks regular access to basic health services.
Disparities in healthcare distribution, access to vaccines and medicines, and competition over limited resources may spark tensions among social groups.
Goal 4: Quality education
Post-pandemic learning losses are significant, with 70% of children in primary school lacking basic reading skills. According to the 2025 report, digital education infrastructure remains largely insufficient in low-income countries.
Unequal access to educational resources, disparities in opportunity, and imbalances in remote learning access can become sources of conflict among families, regions, and institutions.
Goal 5: Gender equality
Globally, only 26% of parliament members are women. Wage disparities persist, and the majority of unpaid care work still falls on women.
Gender-based discrimination, exclusion from decision-making processes, and inadequate protection against violence continue to generate ongoing tension between individuals and institutions.
Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation
As of 2025, more than 2 billion people still lack access to safe drinking water. Water infrastructure remains weak in vulnerable regions, and global disparities in sanitation services persist.
Competition over water resources, the direction of infrastructure investments, and pollution concerns can cause disputes between communities, sectors, and local governments.
Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy
As of 2025, 91% of the global population has access to electricity, but this rate falls below 50% in Sub-Saharan Africa. Over 80% of renewable energy investments are concentrated in high-income countries.
Inequities in access to energy infrastructure, resource allocation, and transition policies may increase the risk of disputes among governments, the private sector, and local populations.
Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
Global youth unemployment remains above 15%, and over half of the labor force in low- and middle-income countries works informally. Post-pandemic economic recovery is fragile.
Issues such as working conditions, wage fairness, social security systems, and job security can lead to serious tensions among workers, employers, and governments.
Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Mobile broadband access has increased significantly since 2015, yet digital infrastructure remains inadequate in low-income countries. Meanwhile, 80% of global R&D spending is concentrated in just 10 countries.
Access to technology, distribution of infrastructure investments, and industrial policy priorities may cause conflicts between public institutions, private stakeholders, and communities.
Goal 10: Reduced inequalities
Income inequality has deepened in many countries. The poorest 40% of the population continues to receive a disproportionately small share of total income. Migrants, women, and rural communities often face exclusion from social services.
Disparities in income, services, and opportunities may fuel growing social tensions among individuals, groups, and regions.
Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
More than 30% of the urban population still lacks access to safe housing. Infrastructure is weak in cities with high levels of air pollution and disaster risk. Unplanned urbanization remains widespread.
Disputes may arise between local populations and public or private actors over housing, transportation, urban renewal, and infrastructure development.
Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
The global material footprint per capita has increased by over 15% since 2015. Food waste has reached alarming levels in high-income countries, and 80% of electronic waste is disposed of informally.
Disputes may arise among companies, consumers, and public authorities over natural resource use, waste management, and unethical practices in production chains.
Goal 13: Climate action
No country is fully aligned with the 1.5°C target scenario. Instead of decreasing, greenhouse gas emissions have continued to rise. Annual climate finance needs exceed $1 trillion.
Emission reduction, carbon markets, energy transitions, and climate policies can generate conflicts between countries, sectors, and communities with competing interests.
Goal 14: Life below water
Only 8% of the world’s oceans are under protection. Marine pollution and overfishing continue, while over 70% of coral reefs are threatened by warming and acidification.
Disagreements over fishing rights, coastal usage, tourism, and marine pollution may occur among local communities, industrial stakeholders, and environmental groups.
Goal 15: Life on land
The Red List Index has declined since 2015, indicating accelerated biodiversity loss. Net deforestation continues, especially in tropical regions, and sustainable land use remains limited.
Land use, mining, agricultural expansion, and forest management are key areas of tension between local communities, private actors, and public authorities.
Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
Global trends show a decline in press freedom and worsening perceptions of corruption. Violence is on the rise, and more countries are seeing the erosion of the rule of law.
Conflicts may arise within and between societies over access to rights, security practices, trust in the judiciary, and accountability in public governance.
Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
Only 17% of the SDG targets are on track to be achieved by 2030. Developing countries face restricted access to financing, and global cooperation has weakened.
Disputes may emerge between states and institutions over resource sharing, delivery of international aid commitments, technology transfer, and fairness in the global trade system.
What we see and what we ask
The Sustainable Development Goals are not just a checklist of targets; they represent a shared vision of life that countries, institutions, and individuals have committed to pursuing together. Yet by 2025, it is clear that serious blockages have emerged in realizing that vision. The data presented in the Sustainable Development Report point to complex challenges: unequal distribution of resources, infrastructure deficits, political tensions, and fragile social structures.
While assessing the current status of each goal, it is equally important to draw attention to the potential for conflict embedded within each of these areas. Because sustainability is not only about technical indicators — it is also about the fairness and inclusiveness of the process.
Moving forward will require more than technical solutions. We need constructive and inclusive approaches that prioritize social cohesion. Reaching the goals is important, but how we manage the disputes and tensions along the way may ultimately shape our direction.
