Sustainable business was among topics discussed at Sustainability Summit VII

The Indiana County Sustainable Economic Development Task Force

The Indiana County Sustainable Economic Development Task Force has been organizing sustainability summits since 2017.

Sustainability Makes Cents

This year’s summit theme, “Sustainability Makes Cent$,” highlights the economic potential of sustainable practices. By prioritizing sustainability as a framework for growth, individuals, businesses, and communities can invest in their future and benefit from efficient resource management, a healthy environment, and community-centered approaches to development.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The article discusses the Indiana County Sustainable Economic Development Task Force’s sustainability summits, which focus on sustainable practices and their economic potential. This aligns with SDG 8, which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. It also relates to SDG 9, which aims to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation. Additionally, the article mentions the importance of community-centered approaches to development, which is relevant to SDG 11, focusing on creating sustainable cities and communities. Lastly, the emphasis on efficient resource management and a healthy environment connects to SDG 12, which promotes responsible consumption and production.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 8.4: Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavor to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation.
• Target 9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product, in line with national circumstances, and double its share in least developed countries.
• Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.
• Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

Based on the article’s content, the targets mentioned above can be identified. These targets focus on improving resource efficiency, promoting sustainable industrialization, enhancing inclusive and sustainable urbanization, and achieving sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article implies indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. However, specific indicators are not explicitly mentioned in the article. To measure progress towards Target 8.4, indicators such as material footprint, carbon footprint, and energy intensity can be used. For Target 9.2, indicators like the share of employment in the industrial sector and the contribution of the industrial sector to GDP can be used. Target 11.3 can be measured using indicators such as the proportion of the population living in slums and the percentage of urban solid waste regularly collected and disposed of. Lastly, Target 12.2 can be measured using indicators like domestic material consumption and waste generation per capita.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: indianagazette.com