Connected world : agreeing ambitious sustainable development goals in 2015, seventh report of session 2014-15, report, together with formal minutes relating to the report

Poverty and environmental degradation are urgent global challenges.

In Sep 2015 world leaders have an opportunity to end extreme poverty and protect the planet, as they agree new global 'Sustainable Development Goals' for 2030.

The UK has taken an important role in the international process of agreeing new goals, but the Government has recently been seeking to reduce the proposed 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which risks losing the international focus on environmental sustainability alongside poverty reduction and economic and social development.

In order to reach global agreement on ambitious action next year the Committee say it is important that the UK respects the status of the 17 proposed Goals when the European Union agrees its negotiating position at the upcoming European Council meeting on 18 Dec.

Achieving the global goals for 2030 will require ambitious action for the UK and other developed countries as well as for developing countries. The UK Government should: demand the highest standards of environmental protection in trade deals to unequivocally ensure that there is no potential for these to be undermined through trade dispute settlement mechanisms, such as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP); lead international efforts to improve air quality in cities; ensure that at all economic development related aid programmes fully safeguard biodiversity; report annually on the impact of the International Climate Fund; and support the establishment of Marine Protected Areas in UK overseas territories, such as Pitcairn.