Understanding the link between fighting poverty and preserving natural resources is key to achieving development that benefits both people and the planet.

That’s the view of the Deputy Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Ibrahim Thiaw.

Countries are pushing to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, with the promise to “leave no one behind.”

The 17 goals cover areas such as combating hunger, poverty and inequality, and all have an “environmental component,” according to Mr Thiaw.

Dianne Penn spoke to the UNEP deputy chief when he was in New York for a UN forum to review progress towards meeting the SDGs.

Duration: 4’17”