History
In what year were the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) launched?
2000
What is at the bottom layer (foundation) of the Sustainability Wedding Cake?
The Biosphere
About how many people were lifted out of extreme poverty during the MDGs era?
Over 1 billion
ICLEI is a global network connecting which level of government?
Local governments (cities and towns)
True or False: The MDGs focused primarily on reducing poverty in developed countries.
False (they focused on developing countries).
What year were the SDGs officially adopted?
2015 (in Paris)
Which SDG focuses on the eradication of extreme poverty?
SDG 1: No Poverty
By nearly what percent did child mortality drop during the MDGs?
50%
Which U.S. city used ICLEI’s tools to track emissions reductions under Local Law 97?
New York City
True or False: The SDGs officially began implementation on January 1, 2016.
True
How many countries initially adopted the MDGs?
189 countries
Give one example of a Biosphere-focused SDG.
SDG 6: Clean Water & Sanitation, SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 14: Life Below Water, SDG 15: Life on Land
How many countries are a part of the ICLEI network?
Over 2,500 local governments across 125 countries.
During a severe drought, which city used ICLEI strategies to avoid a “Day Zero” scenario?
Cape Town, South Africa
True or False: SDG 17 focuses on reducing hunger.
False (it focuses on Partnerships for the Goals).
Which global conference laid the groundwork for the SDGs?
UN Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio 2012
Why does the Wedding Cake put the Economy layer at the top?
Because economic growth depends on both society and the environment.
How many goals and targets make up the SDGs?
17 goals and 169 targets
Which Swedish city partnered with ICLEI to integrate renewable energy like wind and solar?
Malmö
True or False: ICLEI only works in Europe.
False (it connects over 2,500 local governments across 125 countries worldwide).
Name one major limitation of the MDGs that led to the broader scope of the SDGs.
Too narrow, focused on poverty in developing countries; didn’t fully address inequality, climate change, or inclusivity.
Explain the metaphor of the Wedding Cake in one sentence.
It shows that sustainability is interdependent: a healthy planet (Biosphere) supports thriving societies, which then enable economies.
Roughly how many people still lived on less than $1.25/day at the end of the MDG period?
Over 800 million
Why is ICLEI’s work with local governments so essential to the SDGs?
Because over half the world lives in cities, which are both major sources of emissions and centers of innovation for sustainability.
True or False: Unlike the MDGs, the SDGs apply to all countries, not just developing ones.
True (the SDGs are a universal framework).