Bristol and the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Bristol is a shining light nationally and internationally as somewhere that is taking meaningful action on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Cities will be needed to meet the SDG agenda and Bristol is at the forefront.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a framework for the key global challenges of economic, environmental and social sustainability, which every country in the world has agreed to deliver by 2030. Bristol is committed to delivering the SDGs locally, and every One City Plan goal has been mapped to them.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS), the Bristol City Office and the University of Bristol are working together to help improve the accessibility of data needed to monitor the UN Sustainable Development Goals at the local authority level. This new work builds on research by academics at the Cabot Institute for the Environment at the University of Bristol and the SDG team at the ONS to help create a platform for local data on the SDGs.
End poverty in all its forms, everywhere.
Key stat: 16,440 children under 16 live in low income families (19.7%), significantly higher than nationally (17.2%).
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable procurement.
Key stat: There are almost 43,000 people considered ‘food insecure’ in Bristol
Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all, at all ages.
Key stat: Cancer and respiratory disease rates are significantly worse in Bristol than the UK average
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Key stat: 7.7% of 16-17 year olds (2017/18) were ‘not in education, employment or training’ compared to 5.5% nationally
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
Key stat: The gender pay gap is 14.2%, down slightly from 14.7% in 2011.
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Key stat: Bristolians use on average 144.2L of water per person per day (2010-2018 average).
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
Key stat: An estimated 10.8% of Bristol households experienced fuel poverty in 2016, below the national average of 11.1%.
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
Key stat: In 2018, average earnings were £28,000 a year, compared to £29,800 nationally.
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
Key stat: Superfast broadband is now available in 97% of Bristol’s premises, up from 93% in 2017.
Reduce inequality within and among countries
Key stat: Higher education engagement rates are 30.6% in Bristol, compared to 37,8% nationally. In South Bristol this is 17.5%.
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
Key stat: Average house prices in Bristol have increased by 74.8% in the last decade, an increase of £118,000 (47.5% nationally).
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Key stat: Recycling rates have risen from 35.5% to 45.7% since 2008.
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Key stat: 86% of Bristolians are concerned about the impacts of climate change.
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
Key stat: 14% of Bristol rivers are of poor ecological status and none are of good status.
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
Key stat: Bristol’s wildlife network is 3,000 hectares, protecting 27% of the land area of the city.
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
Key stat: Rates of people whose day to day life is affected by fear of crime increased to 18%, with 33% in the most deprived areas.
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
Key stat: Bristol’s SDG Alliance helps the City Office to support citywide engagement and partnership towards the SDGs.
