As the UN explains, the Decade of Action ‘calls for accelerating sustainable solutions to all the world’s biggest challenges – ranging from poverty and gender to climate change, inequality and closing the finance gap.’ The Sustainable Development Goals were first adopted in 2015, emphasizing a holistic approach to achieving sustainable development for all. They aim to have an impact across multiple levels, as detailed below. 
The UN is using the SDGs as a measuring stick for change, and 2030 is the hard deadline for results. Nobody is exempt, as they have attempted to make the goals realistic in every region. It’s clear that COVID-19 has had an impact on achieving the SDGs, but that has not stopped a concentrated effort to meet them in time for 2030.

The UN Secretary-General has identified three different levels in which changes can be made. ‘Global action’ is the first, aiming to lead in terms of policy and providing the resources to do so. ‘Local action’ will see policies enacted, by organizations such as governments and local authorities. Lastly, ‘people action’ is seen on the ground level, and focuses on the choices and decisions the public makes individually.