Scotland at the Heart of Meeting Global Challenges

Scotland is among the top countries in the world for research productivity and impact, with its 19 universities and higher education institutions, and world leading research centres, staffed by some of the best and brightest scientists from across the world. These scientists collaborate with other researchers to tackle some of the world’s most complex and critical challenges which are characterised through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Over the last decade, a third of Scotland’s research was directly related to the ambitions set out in the Sustainable Development Goals. Scotland is world leading in the physiological sciences, with a proud history of Nobel Prize winners continued today by cutting edge research and teaching.

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What are the SDGs?

In September 2015, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that includes 17 SDGs. Building on the principle of “leaving no one behind”, the SDGs emphasise a holistic approach to achieving sustainable development for all. They combine a number of initiatives targeting the end of poverty and other socio-economic inequalities with objectives relating to improving health and education, while tackling climate change and working to preserve the planet’s oceans, agriculture, wildlife and forests.

What is physiology’s role in supporting the ambitions of the SDGs?

Each SDG has a series of targets totalling 169 individual targets overall. Many of these goals have a direct health target which will be informed by physiological underpinning and research. For example, SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) includes targets related to reducing deaths caused by flooding and improving transport systems. The infographic on the following page shows how physiology underpins 10 out of the 17 SDGs.

Thus, physiological research plays a key role in preserving the health of our planet and promoting long-term sustainable development. More information about the SDGs and their targets can be found on the UN’s website: un.org/sustainabledevelopment

How is The Physiological Society supporting Scottish members to promote the impact of their research on meeting the SDGs?

On Wednesday 8 February in the Scottish Parliament, The Physiological Society is collaborating with the Royal Society of Edinburgh to discuss how Scotland’s research environment will be crucial in meeting the SDGs. Physiology, as the science of life, will be a key part in the response to the targets posed by the SDGs.

Our event, kindly hosted by Clare Adamson MSP, brings together Scottish researchers, Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) and policymakers from throughout the country, to celebrate the contribution that Scotland’s higher education institutions have made to meeting the SDGs and outline the major challenges and opportunities yet to be addressed.

How can MSPs support physiological research into the SDGs?

The Physiological Society is asking MSPs to take the following actions

• Support the Scottish Parliament Motion on  ‘Scotland at the heart of  meeting global challenges’.
• Visit their local research institution to see first-hand the work of physiologists.

Physiology and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

	End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. As the science of how the body works, physiology can help develop diets that meet nutritional requirements of various populations.
	Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for  all at all ages. Physiology underpins the diagnosis of disease and facilitates the development of new treatments and guidelines for maintaining human health such as developing physical activity and diet regimens.
	Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Physiology education is a core component of STEM education. Physiology also underpins clinical curricula and health professionals performing holistic assessments of people in their care
	Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. Physiology education and training contributes £22.6 billion in added income in the UK’s economy each year. This is equivalent to supporting over 777,200 average salary jobs annually.
	Reduce inequality within  and among countries. Physiological research helps us understand the multifaceted correlation between socioeconomic deprivation and poorer health outcomes, increased rates of comorbidities and shorter  healthy life expectancies.
	Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Developing green cities requires cross-disciplinary collaboration between physiologists, botanists, architects and local government.
	Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Physiological research helps develop tools to mitigate climate change as well as help us adapt to its effects such as changing temperatures and heatwaves.
	Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. Marine physiology is critical to supporting life below water. This discipline focuses on the adaptation of organisms to the marine environment.
	Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss. Physiological research can help people understand the benefits of active travel and engaging with nature which will indirectly help protect and preserve our ecosystem.
	Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation. Interdisciplinary research is a core component of innovation to address climate change. Physiology is an interdisciplinary science. It helps us understand how fundamental processes work and interact with other systems in the body in good health to then understand how to respond to ill health