SDG1: No Poverty
With our strong focus on sustainable development there is great potential for ICMM to support the mining and metals industry in making an important and lasting contribution towards the UN’s global goals. We work with members and partners to catalyse lasting social and economic progress that supports an end to poverty, protects the planet and ensures prosperity for all.
SDG1 calls for universal poverty eradication, while building the resilience of those in poverty, and reducing their exposure to climate-related and other social and economic shocks.
In the past 25 years, the number of people living in extreme poverty has declined by more than half, falling from 1.9 billion in 1990 to 836 million in 2015. While this is a remarkable achievement, more than one in ten people in developing regions still live on less than $1.25 a day and many others have to survive on little more than this daily amount.
But poverty is more than the lack of income and resources to ensure a sustainable livelihood. It manifests itself in hunger and malnutrition, limited access to education and other basic services, social discrimination and exclusion and a lack of participation in decision-making.
How is this relevant to mining and metals?
Mining can help reduce poverty through direct employment, sourcing goods and services locally and the payment of taxes and royalties which enable the development of essential social and economic infrastructure. Where companies operate in remote areas, poverty levels can be significant. Mining’s presence can either alleviate poverty through job creation and skills development, or exacerbate poverty if traditional livelihoods and ways of life are adversely affected.
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What companies need to know to manage impacts or make a positive contribution |
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Minimising negative impacts |
Maximising positive contributions |
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