Critiquing the indicators is a fairly technocratic exercise. I would say there is more debate about the value of the SDGs themselves, and what they say about how we think about poverty in the global south. If you read some 'critical development studies' literature (say, James Petras, Henry Veltmeyer) it is fairly critical about these kinds of conceptualizations. Basically, the SDGs present a certain discourse around poverty that suggests the solutions can be found in 'sustainable' development, which balances the basic needs of individuals and the environment with liberal market reforms. This may appear quite different from the aggressive neo-liberal (Washington Consensus) form, but it essentially the same. We are still told that the problems of the South can be solved with more market and better governance if they are to become more like the North. Of course, this is all a very simplistic take on global inequality - it ignores the long history of imperialism, colonialism, and continued practices of neo-colonialism (intervention, unequal economic regimes). I think it is Sarah Radcliffe who says this whole thing (sustainable development, global charity) is part of a 'commons-impoverishment paradox', whereby we are told about all the good that is being done in the world, all while nothing is done to address the systemic (global) causes of Southern poverty. More on reddit.com

No, they are not a waste of time. they are the only solution for societal survival in the long run. Better to have somehing rather than nothing. With time the urgency will become more obvious. Countries already taking them seriously, do already better than countries that don't. The more seriously they are taken, the more of a pioneer role those societies and economies are taking on, becoming the leading ones in future. See Netherlands, Scandinavia, etc. More on reddit.com

That is 12% more than what I expect. Goals and targets are just empty talk. Look no further than the pathetic paris agreement pledges and how many hit those. And is there anyone still gullible enough to not know that we are hitting 1.5C in a few years, and 2C soon after? More on reddit.com

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