It will soon be 2026. And across the world in 2025 it has been a challenging year. However there appears to be at grassroots level an awakening of the need for radical new thinking and action around sustainable development. There is much to do.
The United Nations established the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals in 2015. It is now only four years to to 2030.
Much has been talked about, much has happened but much more still needs to be done. We will await the outcomes of COP 30 in Brazil, hoping for good news!.
I'm sure that post 2030 the 17 goals will remain important as the UN develops its 'Pact for the Future' that started life in September 2024.
This Pact for the Future does not state an end date, and I'm pleased to see that there is, for the first time in the UN history, an emphasis on the accountability of each generation for the wellbeing of each next generation. It reflects and embraces indigenous peoples philosophy of having regard to the wellbeing of the seventh generation after this one. This is explained in annex II 'Declaration on Future Generations'.
UNA Greater Lincolnshire was established in October 2020 to advance the work of the UN in Greater Lincolnshire and promote the attainment of the 2030 SDG's. It was ambitious thinking and courageous action to take this on. Then Covid hit the world and the ways of working in education, business and community across the world has been transformed.
In Lincolnshire there are new opportunities emerging to engage with. The Lincoln Climate Commission has renewed its membership that includes John Firth (a UNA-GL Trustee) and the newly emerging Lincolnshire RSA group has a keen interest in new projects around sustainability.
In 2025 we continued to work and support others in small and big steps to make a sustainable difference. Building on the experience and enthusiasm of the Trustees and Ambassadors we have been present in events and activities, and using the resources on the web site and have created new materials from research and partnership engagement.
We hope to continue our partnership work in 2026 with U3A Groups, Schools and Colleges, Local Universities, Parish Councils, County Councils and Businesses. There is much to do in Greater Lincolnshire to raise awareness of the challenges and opportunities around sustainable development.
The UN depends on the commitment of individual Nations and Individuals in those Nations to advocate and act on all the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. We hope that for our children's children sake this commitment becomes a way of life for all.