Registered Environmental Manager (REM) Practice Exam

What is the primary purpose of the Sustainable Development Goals established at the UN conference in 2012?

1. To replace the Millennium Development Goals

2. To foster geopolitical relations

3. To build upon and expand the goals set by the Millennium Development Goals

4. To establish new trade agreements

The correct answer is: To build upon and expand the goals set by the Millennium Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were established to build upon and expand the framework of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs, which were in place before the SDGs, focused on reducing poverty and improving social conditions among a number of other objectives. The SDGs take this foundational work and broaden it significantly, introducing new goals that encompass a wider range of issues including economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion. In this way, the SDGs not only continue the essence of the MDGs, but they also recognize the interconnected nature of various global challenges and the need for comprehensive solutions. The SDGs were designed to address these challenges over a 15-year period and promote sustainable development, ensuring that no one is left behind. This extension and deepening of focus reflect a commitment to creating a sustainable future for all, moving beyond just poverty and hunger to include climate action, quality education, gender equality, and more. Other options, like replacing the MDGs, foster geopolitical relations, or establishing new trade agreements, do not accurately capture the main intent of the SDGs, which is to build on the previous framework while addressing a broader spectrum of challenges facing humanity and the planet.