Contribution of Enzyme Catalysis to the Achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals

In September 2015, the United Nations General Assembly established the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The interlinked SDGs are intended to be a ‘shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and in the future’ (https://sdgs.un.org/SDGs, accessed on 28 April 2023). The agenda emphasizes a holistic approach to achieving sustainable development for all, balancing the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. The agenda recognizes that ending poverty and other forms of deprivation must align with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and promote economic growth—all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests. Implementing the SDGs will require collaboration between different actors in government, industry, and civil society, as well as scientists from different disciplines. In the scientific community, the SDGs should provide a framework and serve as the guiding principles for research activity. Enzyme catalysis, among many other disciplines, can could represent a valuable contribution to the SDGs. ... mehrThe aim of this editorial chapter is to highlight the potential of enzyme catalysis in achieving the SDGs and to contribute to the realization of a ‘better world’, while reflecting on the deployment of these technologies to achieve these goals.