United Nations Millennium Development Goals

GOAL 7:
ENSURE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

The rate of deforestation shows signs of decreasing, but is still alarmingly high
A decisive response to climate change is urgently needed
The unparalleled success of the Montreal Protocol shows that action on climate change is within our grasp

The world has missed the 2010 target for biodiversity conservation, with potentially grave consequences
Key habitats for threatened species are not being adequately protected
The number of species facing extinction is growing by the day, especially in developing countries
Overexploitation of global fisheries has stabilized, but steep challenges remain to ensure their sustainability

The world is on track to meet the drinking water target, though much remains to be done in some regions
Accelerated and targeted efforts are needed to bring drinking water to all rural households
Safe water supply remains a challenge in many parts of the world
With half the population of developing regions without sanitation, the 2015 target appears to be out of reach
Disparities in urban and rural sanitation coverage remain daunting
Improvements in sanitation are bypassing the poor

Slum improvements, though considerable, are failing to keep pace with the growing ranks of the urban poor
Slum prevalence remains high in sub-Saharan Africa and increases in countries affected by conflict