Global Day #act4SDGs

Kew supports UN SDGs with science, conservation and public engagement policy.

Release date: 26 September 2018

To mark this year’s Global Day of Action for the Sustainable Development Goals and mass civil society mobilisations worldwide, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is launching information on the ways it hopes to be able to contribute to the achievement of several of the Goals. 

Plants and fungi underpin human existence and many of the SDGs depend on their diversity. Nine of the SDGs are particularly relevant to Kew because they relate to tackling food insecurity, developing more sustainable agriculture and protecting ecosystem services. Kew works towards the SDGs through cutting-edge research in partnership with hundreds of institutions worldwide.

"Kew is committed to fostering a world where the best possible use is made of resources so that people thrive sustainably.   Given that plants are the beginning of the food chain and represent the basis of many economies, Kew researchers can provide rigorous scientific expertise to determine how to make the best use of resources, alleviate poverty, and enhance nutrition and agrobiodiversity.  We can also use our Gardens and people to inspire our visitors and the next generation to care for the planet,” said Richard Deverell, Director of RBG Kew who is also a Champion of the Food Forever campaign. 

Since 2016, Kew has published an annual State of the World’s Plants report, which addresses the nine relevant SDGs, bringing together the latest discoveries and knowledge on global vegetation.  Kew staff have been leading on projects that directly impact delivery of the goals such as: 

  1. Running a project in sub-Saharan Africa to enhance bean yields where they are currently just 20-25% of their potential. This project primarily focused on goals 1 and 2 for the eradication of hunger and poverty and extends to goals 3, 11 and 17. 

  1. Kew scientists are working to identify plant species that are habitats for the natural enemies of crop pests, that support crop pollinators and that have pesticidal properties and are now working closely with local communities to optimise the opportunity. 

  1. Kew is engaging the public about sustainability more broadly through programming in the Gardens, Kew’s Grow Wild outreach initiative, a schools learning programme, the new Endeavour digital curriculum tool, an Early Year’s programme and Community Horticultural projects, which offer training in horticultural skills. 

"Putting research and knowledge into practice is vital for this work to change lives as is sharing our knowledge and unique collections with the wider public and policymakers," said Prof. Paul Wilkin, Acting Director of Science and Head of Natural Capital and Plant Health, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 

“Through our worldwide projects, Kew scientists generate evidence to support resilient land use, helping to reconcile conservation of biodiversity with maintenance of the livelihoods on which it is based and advising on the most appropriate plants and fungi to provide for the needs of society,” added Wilkin.

Ends

For more information or to request an interview or images contact pr@kew.org + 44 208 3325602 and visit www.kew.org

Notes to editors 

The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to improve both human prosperity and the health of the planet. The goals are set out in the report “Transforming Our World: 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, which provides a framework for global development policy. The 17 SDGs are divided into 169 targets and have been adopted by 197 countries. 

Goals relevant to Kew:

  • No poverty – to end poverty in all its forms everywhere. 
  • Zero hunger – to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. 
  • Life on land – to sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss. 
  • Quality Education – ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. 

With partnerships in 110 countries, Kew embodies the UK’s engagement in international action for healthier ecosystems and people.  

Kew’s scientific priorities 

  1. To document and conduct research into global plant and fungal diversity and its uses for humanity. 
  2. To curate and provide data-rich evidence from Kew’s unrivalled collections as a global asset for scientific research. 
  3. To disseminate our scientific knowledge of plants and fungi, maximising its impact in science, education, conservation policy and management. 

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a world famous scientific organisation, internationally respected for its outstanding collections as well as its scientific expertise in plant diversity, conservation and sustainable development in the UK and around the world. Kew Gardens is a major international and a top London visitor attraction. Kew’s 132 hectares of landscaped gardens, and Wakehurst, Kew’s Wild Botanic Garden, attract over 2.1 million visits every year. Kew was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2003 and celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2009. Wakehurst is home to Kew's Millennium Seed Bank, the largest wild plant seed bank in the world. Kew receives approximately one third of its funding from Government through the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and research councils. Further funding needed to support Kew’s vital work comes from donors, membership and commercial activity including ticket sales.