The Florida Department of Environmental Protection
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship – protecting our air, water, and land. The department’s primary goal is to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations.
Vision
The vision of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is to create strong community partnerships, safeguard Florida’s natural resources, and enhance its ecosystems. By aligning its efforts with the SDGs, the department aims to ensure a sustainable future for Florida and its residents.
Mission
The mission of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is to:
- Promote the conservation and protection of Florida’s natural resources.
- Ensure the sustainable use and management of the state’s air, water, and land resources.
- Support the development and implementation of policies and programs that address environmental challenges.
- Engage in research and education to enhance environmental awareness and understanding.
- Foster strong partnerships with communities, businesses, and other stakeholders to achieve environmental sustainability.
Strategic Goals
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has identified the following strategic goals to guide its actions and initiatives:
- Goal 1: Protect and restore Florida’s ecosystems and natural resources.
- Goal 2: Ensure clean and sustainable water resources for present and future generations.
- Goal 3: Promote sustainable land use and development practices.
- Goal 4: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote clean energy solutions.
- Goal 5: Enhance environmental education and awareness.
- Goal 6: Foster partnerships and collaboration for effective environmental management.
By focusing on these strategic goals, the department aims to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs, particularly those related to environmental conservation, sustainable development, and climate action.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 14: Life Below Water
- SDG 15: Life on Land
The article mentions that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is responsible for protecting the state’s air, water, and land. This aligns with the goals of SDG 6, which focuses on ensuring access to clean water and sanitation for all. Additionally, the agency’s vision of safeguarding natural resources and enhancing ecosystems connects to SDG 14, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources. Lastly, the protection of land and ecosystems relates to SDG 15, which focuses on protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
- SDG 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
- SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
The article does not explicitly mention the specific targets, but based on the agency’s responsibilities, we can infer that they are working towards these targets. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection aims to protect water, land, and ecosystems, which aligns with the targets mentioned above.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Water quality indicators: The article mentions the agency’s responsibility for protecting water resources, which implies the use of water quality indicators to measure pollution levels and the presence of hazardous chemicals.
- Marine pollution indicators: The agency’s focus on safeguarding natural resources and enhancing ecosystems suggests the use of indicators to measure marine pollution, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
- Ecosystem conservation indicators: The article highlights the agency’s role in protecting and restoring terrestrial ecosystems, indicating the use of indicators to measure the conservation and sustainable use of these ecosystems.
While the article does not provide specific indicators, the mentioned responsibilities of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection imply the use of indicators related to water quality, marine pollution, and ecosystem conservation to measure progress towards the identified targets.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials. | – Water quality indicators |
| SDG 14: Life Below Water | 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution. | – Marine pollution indicators |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services. | – Ecosystem conservation indicators |
Source: floridadep.gov
