The Sustainable Development Goals (or SDGs) are at the heart of what Peg does and the importance of the data we collect. We track and publish over 60 indicators to measure the health of Winnipeg as it works to achieve the United Nations` SDGs.
Efforts to make Winnipeg a more sustainable city have already started. We’re seeing more Winnipeggers pedalling through the Exchange District or skating down the Red River Mutual Trail instead of driving to work.
Whether you’re walking down the street or through CF Polo Park, blue recycling bins are easier to access. Our city is growing and we are moving the needle in a positive direction – but it’s important to build that momentum and recognize where extra effort is needed in our community. SDGs are the compass for showing us where we are and guiding us to where we need to be.
What are Sustainable Development Goals?
The United Nations` Sustainable Development Goals are 17 global goals to end poverty, eliminate inequality and stop climate change by 2030. World leaders agreed to these goals in 2015. They aim for success in the three pillars of sustainability: economic, environmental and social.
Winnipeg is making progress on many of these goals, but there is still work to do. Improving the quality of life for everyone in our city is necessary for building a stronger community.
Why do SDGs matter?
The SDGs aim to tackle issues that affect us all while ensuring no one is left behind. Every community plays an important role in measuring how they’re doing against the SDGs. By using a common framework to talk about progress, communities are better able to share our stories and learn from each other to transform our nations, cities and neighbourhoods.
By tracking our progress, we can be aware of and accountable for our short-comings and take action. Many of these goals are interconnected, meaning an action taken on one goal often affects the success of another as we strive for economic, environmental and social balance.
How is Peg aligning its indicator system with the SDGs?
The SDGs are the framework of our community indicators and help us choose which data to communicate on our website. These indicators are organized into seven themes that speak to what matters most to Winnipeggers while remaining directly aligned with the SDGs and the three pillars of sustainability. Peg’s themes of well-being are:
- Built Environment
- Basic Needs
- Economy
- Education and Learning
- Health
- Natural Environment
- Social Vitality and Governance
Why is it important to localize the SDGs?
By localizing the SDGs within our community indicators, we make the link between what is happening in Winnipeg and what’s happening in other communities. This helps us identify our strengths, what we have in common and where we can improve. Unbiased data is an essential tool to help inform decisions and next steps in our community.
The SDGs help us understand the health of our city and its neighbourhoods to confront issues and identify root problems so we can set out to do better. For example, the number of people who use Winnipeg Transit or the attendance of cultural events like Festival du Voyageur or Nuit Blanche can help us understand the Sustainability of our Cities and Communities (SDG 11). The number of graduates in Winnipeg school divisions measures our Quality of Education (SDG 4). Personal Safety is a basic need and, by comparing neighbourhoods, we can determine where we need to improve Peace, Justice and Strengthen Institutions (SDG 16).
With graph and map form, it’s easy to compare our progress over time to focus our efforts where they’re needed most. As we track progress and see the impact of change, we can see how we’re impacting change globally and share experiences with other communities to help them reach our shared global ambition.
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