China is “on track to surpass the United States” in its efforts to eradicate poverty and protect the planet, according to a new report from the United Nations.The “Sustainable Development Report 2026”, which tracks global progress on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), was launched on June 23. Also known as the “Global Goals”, the framework is intended to be a comprehensive worldwide blueprint for ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring prosperity by 2030.
“Owing to its faster pace of SDG progress over the period, China surpassed Russia in 2021, and based on current rates of progress it is on track to surpass the United States in the coming years,” the report said.
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From 2015 to 2025, the gap between China and the US in sustainable development achievements closed significantly. The measure is scored out of 100 and the gap between the two is just 0.63 points, according to data in the report.
Produced by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, the index showed that in 2015, there was “a considerable degree of distance separating the SDG performance of three of the great powers”. At that baseline, the US ranked 40th while China sat at 63rd.
Ten years later, however, the US had dropped to 45th place and China had risen to 49th. Meanwhile, Russia remained in 51st place over the same period.
The development goals were adopted by all UN member states in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The 17 global goals – including no poverty, zero hunger, quality education, gender equality, reduced inequalities and decent work and economic growth – link environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development.
