Human beings are a relatively new species in evolutionary terms. Yet today, humanity is the main driver of biodiversity loss, climate change, and other serious problems that put the continuity of life as we know it at risk.

In response to this situation, the United Nations defined the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with targets to be achieved by 2030. However, progress toward these goals is being undermined by multiple crises: wars and geopolitical tensions, deep social inequalities, and the lack of genuine commitment from some of the world’s most powerful countries.

Even so, there is still hope. Accelerating progress toward the SDGs remains possible, but only if global, coordinated efforts are undertaken to drive the necessary transformations. In this context, companies—interconnected as part of a broader ecosystem—play a critical role as agents of change, helping to build a world that is more environmentally responsible, inclusive, and fair.

As of July 2025, progress toward the SDGs remains alarmingly slow. It is estimated that less than 20% of the targets will be achieved on time by 2030, according to the Sustainable Development Report 2025.

This year marks a decade since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda. In this context, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated during the presentation of the July 2025 progress report that only 35% of the targets are “on track or showing moderate progress.”

COP30 (the United Nations Climate Change Conference), which concluded on November 21, took place at a critical moment: for the first time, the planet surpassed the 1.5°C global warming threshold compared to pre-industrial levels—the limit science considers essential to avoid the most severe impacts of climate change.

The priorities of COP30 focused on strengthening multilateralism, connecting the climate crisis to everyday life and human rights, and ensuring that the most affected communities actively participate in negotiations and receive real support to adapt.

Along the same lines, efforts were made to accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement, with a strong focus on protecting the Amazon, climate finance—particularly the USD 1.3 trillion per year pledged—and a just transition, including the gradual phase-out of fossil fuels and increased support for developing countries.

The year 2030 is just over four years away. The time to act is now.

And still, with hope, the words of No Te Va a Gustar resonate:

“There is something that remains alive
It renews our hope
And in the final breath
Oh, sky-blue, give me a Sun”

Our planet, which appears sky blue from space, is the source of life itself. Caring for it is a collective responsibility, so that life may continue in a form as close as possible to what we know today, and so that each morning, it can continue to gift us a new sunrise.

n 2015, the United Nations launched the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a global strategy aimed at achieving 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets, encompassing the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of development.

Since 2016, the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) has published regular reports assessing countries’ progress toward the SDGs. The methodology is based on an SDG Index, which aggregates results from 102 indicators (2025 edition) into a single score, giving equal weight to each goal.

The index ranges from 0, representing the worst possible performance, to 100, indicating the highest level of SDG achievement.

• Conflicts and security issues: Countries affected by conflict, political instability, or security challenges often record the lowest SDG Index scores.
• Lack of financing: An estimated USD 3.3 to 4.5 trillion per year is needed to achieve the 2030 Agenda.
• Investment gap: Developing countries lack the capacity to invest the necessary annual resources to meet the SDGs.
• Gender inequality: Greater focus is needed on gender equality and the empowerment of women.

• Conflictos y problemas de seguridad: Los países afectados por conflictos, inestabilidad política o problemas de seguridad a menudo muestran los valores más bajos del Índice ODS.
• Falta de financiamiento: Se estima que se necesitan entre 3.3 y 4.5 billones de dólares anuales para lograr la Agenda 2030.
• Brecha de inversión: Los países en desarrollo no tienen la posibilidad de invertir anualmente el dinero necesario para alcanzar los ODS.
• Desigualdad de género: Se necesita un mayor enfoque en la igualdad de género y el empoderamiento de las mujeres.

Insufficient and threatened progress

Analysis of the 2025 Report shows that, at a global level, progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals has been insufficient. Looking ahead to 2030, several goals remain far from being achieved, particularly SDG 2, SDG 11, SDG 14, SDG 15, and SDG 16. Overall, only 16.7% of SDG targets worldwide are on track to be met within the established timeframe.

In recent years, many countries have made notable progress in expanding access to basic services and infrastructure, such as electricity, digitalization, and the use of mobile devices. Improvements have also been recorded in key health indicators, including declines in under-five and neonatal mortality. However, these gains are fragile and increasingly threatened by armed conflicts, geopolitical tensions, and the decline in international financing for sustainable development.

Persistent inequalities among countries

Disparities in SDG achievement remain stark. The 2025 SDG Index shows scores ranging from above 87 to below 50, with the lowest performances concentrated in countries affected by armed conflict or high instability. Regardless of their relative ranking, all countries face significant challenges in at least two goals, particularly those related to climate change and biodiversity, largely driven by unsustainable consumption patterns.

At the same time, there is a pressing need to redesign the global financial architecture to ensure adequate financing for global public goods and to advance effectively toward sustainable development. A small number of countries are responsible for a large share of greenhouse gas emissions, many of them with high income levels. Yet the impacts of climate change affect everyone, including lower-income countries that must allocate scarce resources to mitigation and adaptation.

Global rankings

These disparities are clearly reflected in global rankings. Finland, Sweden, and Denmark continue to lead, while countries such as South Sudan, the Central African Republic, and Chad remain at the lower end of the index.

Among major economies, the United States, China, the Russian Federation, and India continue to face structural challenges across multiple SDGs.

In Latin America, Chile, Uruguay, and Cuba show the strongest performance in the region.

Failure to meet the SDG targets would have profound and lasting consequences: rising global temperatures, more frequent natural disasters, accelerated species extinction, and increasing societal vulnerability.

It would also lead to growing distrust in governments and international organizations, perceived as unable to respond effectively to global challenges.

The 2030 Agenda is no longer a distant promise. It is an immediate challenge. Only through urgent, coordinated, and sustained collective action can we preserve the possibility of a more just, resilient, and sustainable future.

Mayarí Arruabarrena

Sustainable Development Coordinator