Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Development
Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) constitute a comprehensive and universal developmental framework that was collectively adopted by 193 Member States, including India, during the historic United Nations General Assembly Summit in September 2015. Effectively launched on January 1, 2016, the 17 SDGs and their 169 associated targets form an integral part of the visionary document, “Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, for People, Planet, and Prosperity.”

In pursuit of these global objectives, the State Planning Commission, in collaboration with the Department of Economics and Statistics, is actively dedicated to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals within the state. This collaborative effort involves seamless coordination with various line departments, encompassing a diverse range of activities, all in strict accordance with the directives of the Planning and Development Department.

Tamil Nadu has achieved a significant decline in poverty over the years. Based on state specific poverty lines, the poverty rate in Tamil Nadu is much lower than the national average and other states.

Tamil Nadu is performing well across various dimensions to end hunger in all forms, particularly reducing malnutrition, enhancing agricultural productivity and income and promoting sustainable food production.

Over the years, significant progress has been made to improve the State of health and well-being around the world. Tamil Nadu has been ranked as the 3rd best State among major states in terms of overall performance of health sector.

Tamil Nadu is one of the more literate states of India, higher than the national literacy rate and that of other states. Chennai has the highest literacy rate amongst all other urban agglomerates in India.

Empowering women has a multiplier effect on the economy it leads to take more informed social and economic decisions about themselves and their family. Tamil Nadu performs well on several aspects of gender equality.

In Tamil Nadu, 99% of the rural population have access to safe and adequate drinking water within their premises.

Tamil Nadu has added 13.287 MW of power generation capacity based on conventional and renewable sources of energy from 2011 to 2018.

Tamil Nadu is moving steadily towards achieving economic growth, encouraging entrepreneurship and creating productive employment and decent work conditions for all sections of population in the State.

Tamil Nadu is one of the most industrialised States of India with infrastructure, technology and innovation acting as key drivers of economic growth and inclusive development.

Tamilnadu performs well in terms of bridging the gaps in income and inclusivity, ensuring equal opportunity and reducing inequalities for all.

Tamil Nadu has the largest share of urban population amongst Indian States. In fact, 9.3% of India’s urban population and 8.9% of the India’s slum population reside in Tamil Nadu.

Tamilnadu adopts various policies to achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources while substantially reducing waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.

Tamil Nadu has witnessed an increase of about 1.5o C to 1o C, in maximum and minimum temperatures during 2015 and 2016. The state adopts various policies and frameworks to mitigate risks against climate change.

Tamil Nadu has accorded high priority to the preservation and restoration of its marine and coastal ecosystems through its State Environment Policy 2017.

Tamil Nadu ranks first among the States in the country in angiosperm diversity. It accounts for nearly one-third of the total flora of India. Tamil Nadu is pursuing a plethora of initiatives to protect its land ecosystems.

The state encourages the government, civil societies, and communities to work together and implement policies to reduce violence, deliver justice, reduce corruption and ensure inclusive participation of all stakeholders in the process.

Tamil Nadu is one amongst the leading states, in terms of domestic resource mobilisation, mobilising additional financial resources, long term debt sustainability and ability to adopt technology.

The State Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) program, tailored with state-modified indicators, aligns seamlessly with the broader global objectives outlined by the United Nations. By customizing the indicators to suit the specific socio-economic and environmental context of the state, this program ensures a targeted and effective approach toward achieving the universal SDGs. The objectives encompass eradicating state-specific challenges related to poverty, inequality, environmental sustainability, and social well-being. Through localized strategies and interventions, the state SDG program contributes to the collective global effort of building a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future, while addressing the unique needs and priorities of its populace.

Tamil Nadu has demonstrated commendable progress in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as evidenced by its performance in the SDG India Index 3.0 (2020-21) released by NITI Aayog. With an overall score of 74, surpassing the national average of 66, the state secured the 2nd rank alongside Himachal Pradesh, closely trailing Kerala. Notably, Tamil Nadu exhibited significant improvement by gaining 7 points compared to the previous year’s SDG India Index 2.0.

A State Level High Power Committee, initially formed in 2017 under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to Government, has been reconstituted in June 2022. The reconstitution includes the Vice Chairman of the State Planning Commission as its Co-Chairman and the Member-Secretary of the State Planning Commission as a Member. This committee plays a pivotal role in overseeing the effective implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the state. To ensure meticulous monitoring of goal achievement, Eight Thematic Working Groups have been established, each covering specific goals, and are chaired by Secretaries of Nodal Departments. These Working Groups, comprised of relevant department members, facilitate cross-sectoral collaboration and decision-making at higher levels, addressing the unique Terms of Reference associated with SDGs. The Heads of Divisions at the State Planning Commission serve as Member-Convenors for these Working Groups, fostering a structured and coordinated approach towards achieving sustainable development targets.

Composition of High Power Committee

S.No.	Secretary & Department	Position
1.	The Chief Secretary to Government	Chairman
2.	The Vice Chairman, State Planning Commission	Co-Chairman
3.	The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Planning and Development Department	Member-Secretary
4.	The Principal Secretary to Government, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department	Member
5.	The Principal Secretary to Government, Health and Family Welfare Department	Member
6.	The Addl.Chief Secretary to Government, Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department	Member
7.	The Addl. Chief Secretary to Government, Industries Department	Member
8.	The Addl. Chief Secretary to Government, Environment and Forests Department	Member
9.	The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Home, Prohibition and Excise Department	Member
10.	The Agricultural Production Commissioner / Secretary to Government, Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare Department	Member
11.	The Principal Secretary to Government, School Education Department	Member
12.	The Member-Secretary, State Planning Commission	Member

Constitution of State level High Power Committee – Formation of eight thematic Working Groups – Terms of References for the Working Groups – orders – reg.

Formation of SDG Units in the Departments to set up systems and mechanisms for enabling focus to be brought in the Departments for the achievement of SDGs.

Award and Ranking the performance of Backward Blocks, Other Blocks and Districts in the State.

Formation of SDG District Level High Power Committee, SDG District Level Executive Committee, and SDG Cells in the District for the achievement of SDGs.

Reconstitution of State-level High Power Committee and Working Groups

Sustainable Development Goals