Bamboo and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Bamboo has an important role in biodiversity conservation and contributes to soil and water management, and biomass production, and supports the rural economy. As bamboo plays key roles in biodiversity, land restoration, and livelihood improvement, it well fits into many of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Goal 1: NO POVERTY

The first Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) is ‘Reduction of poverty can be achieved through promoting bamboo-based ecosystem restoration and cultivation which ensures livelihood opportunities. Bamboo plantations help for a solid source of income, starting from harvest and collection to processing, manufacturing, and tradeFlex item.

Goal 2: ZERO HUNGER

“End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.” Bamboo shoots are boiled, soaked, cooked, or pickled for a variety of dishes and are considered to be one of useful health foods because of their rich contents of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, fibres, and minerals and very low fat.

Goal 3: GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

Ensures healthy lives and promotes the well-being of populations of all ages and it provides a clean environment that is essential for human health and well-being.

Goal 6: CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION

Bamboo forests and plantations can ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

Goal 7: AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

Bamboo can provide an excellent source of renewable energy, especially through bamboo charcoal briquettes and the health benefits of substituting smoke-free bamboo charcoal for traditional fuels. The bamboo waste can be chipped or pellets can be made and can be used to fire generators through gasification. Large-scale bamboo plantations have excellent potential to provide a superior raw material for biofuel.

Goal 8: DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

“Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.” The bamboo sector has tremendous utility and versatility for achieving high levels of economic productivity and encouraging the development of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises. Globally, millions of people depend on this sector for their livelihood and for household and functional uses.

Goal 11: SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

The role of bamboo in providing affordable strong, practical, cost-effective, eco-friendly building materials is well recognized. There are excellent opportunities for sustainable, climate-smart construction.

Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production:

As a wonder plant every part of the bamboo plant can be used for manufacturing and it is one of the important sustainable and environmentally responsible raw materials with a smaller carbon footprint.

Goal 13: CLIMATE ACTION

Climate Action aims to strengthen the resilience and capacity to adapt to climate-related risks and natural disasters. Bamboos are an excellent option for adaptation to climate change effects. It acts as a giant carbon sink, and its durable products, which store carbon and a healthy grove of bamboo can generate about 35% more oxygen than an equal area of trees. Hence plays an important role to protect the planet.

Goal 15: LIFE ON LAND

“Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.”. There is immense potential for cultivating bamboo to restore degraded lands and promote disaster risk reduction (DRR). The mountain Gorillas, lemurs, Red Panda, Giant Panda, bears and mountain tapirs and frogs, and many other species depend on bamboo forests.

To know more about the 'UN Sustainable Development Goals' concept, Please visit the page "Sustainable Development Goals" on UNDP Website