Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Overview

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 interconnected goals adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, that provide a shared blueprint for global sustainable development.

Scope & Adoption

The SDGs are embraced by 193 UN Member States as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which sets out to achieve the Goals over a 15-year period. They address the global challenges we face, including climate change, poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, peace and justice. The SDG’s have been adopted by countries, organisations, and individuals worldwide, aiming to address the wide range of global challenges at different levels.

Why it Matters

The SDGs are crucial for;

• Global Development: Providing a set of objectives for addressing global challenges and promoting sustainable development.
• Corporate Responsibility: Guiding businesses in aligning their strategies with broader societal goals.

Reporting

Although the SDGs aren’t an ESG framework that companies report to, many entities use the SDGs as a basis upon which they build their sustainability strategy and create their annual or sustainability reports.

Alignment with other frameworks

The SDGs align with many sustainability frameworks, providing a global agenda that underpins other sustainability initiatives. For example, new sustainability reporting regulations introduced in the EU, such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), are designed with the SDGs at their core. 

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Sources:

• https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/ ‍
• https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/development-agenda/