17 Goals for People, and Planet

In September we turn to reflect on the importance of Agenda 2030 for People, for Planet, and for Businesses. This month instead of focusing on one, or a few Sustainable Development Goals, the United Nations (UN) has chosen to focus on the intertwined whole that the 17 goals and 169 targets of Agenda 2030 comprise.

Woman holding a flag with 17 sustainable development goals on it against the sky

It is good to sometimes return to our roots and take account of what we are doing and why we are doing it. The 17 SDGs are a universal call to action that were born out of the realisation that we are all responsible not only for one another as human beings, but for the planet that nurtures us all. They set out to end poverty, to improve the lives of everyone, everywhere and while doing so, foster equality, and innovation that helps the environment. We are fast approaching 2030 and there are about 8 years left of the Decade of Action – connoted as such to signal the need to step into the delivery phase of sustainable development.

All UN Member States are signatories of the Agenda, yet action must be taken on all levels – not only multilateral, but national, regional, and local. Antonio Guterres, Secretary General to the UN called for action across three levels: global, local, and people. People action, as he called it includes the private sector. Indeed, businesses have a vital part to play in achieving sustainable development and a huge influence over how the Decade of Action pans out.

Strides have been made since 2015 towards building an inclusive economy, combatting inequalities, and fighting climate change. Political and private sector ambition is growing and while participation and uptake are cause for hope, progress must be accelerated – wealth is still unevenly distributed, the gender gap is growing, and close to a million of species are at the risk of extinction. The Decade of Action is about ensuring that really no one is left behind.

“…[W]e must look at the 2030 Agenda not through the prism of the economy of the last decade, but the economy of the next decade, seizing the potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and safeguarding against its dangers.” – Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General to the UN, in his speech issuing a global call for a Decade of Action in 2019

Business for 2030

Agenda 2030, an inclusive economy, gender equality, and a prosperous society are good for business. Higher purchasing power and disposable incomes mean a growing consumer base and will prompt people to vote with their money and opt for businesses that are doing their part in all ESG realm: environmentally, socially, and governance-wise. Small and Medium Enterprises have the added advantage of being agile and forward-looking – both foundational for the innovation needed for the economy of the next decade.

By virtue of its definition, sustainable development and sustainable business requires a long-term outlook and a prioritisation thereof over short-term profit. Agenda 2030 and each of its 17 SDGs are business opportunities for sustainably minded businesses. It is nevertheless a daunting task to untangle how to best use these opportunities. This is why it’s worth going back to the basics time and time again, to gain a better overview of opportunities and challenges.

As ever, we must first do business sustainably and responsibly, then open outwards and pursue projects to help our immediate, then wider community. As we look at Agenda 2030 as a whole and reflect on why we embarked on this journey in the first place, you also need to revise your operation, business values, and mission. Going back to the core of your business is where you should start your sustainability journey.

Look over the Global Goals and decide which ones are most relevant to your operation. The 17 Goals comprise an intertwined whole, yet some will be more obvious than others for your business model depending on whether you manufacture products, or you are a provider of services.

Break down your business model to identify opportunities and pain points. Are you looking to expand? Do you recruit on a strictly non-discriminatory basis? Do you utilise the greenest energy provider available to you? Could you save emissions by changing your shipping method? Are your employees healthy and happy?

Remember that you are voting with your money too. Making profit is important if we want to stay in business and overseas suppliers might seem the most economic choice at first glance. Integrating the SDGs into your business strategy in this sense is vital: researching, vetting, and communicating with your suppliers and business partners ensures that you are not indirectly contributing to huge emissions/unethical business practice thereby offsetting your own progress.

Be transparent about where you are. Setting targets and a strategy to reach them is important especially as the task is so complex. Reporting your plans and progress to your consumers will help you keep the goal in reach and feel accountable.

Ask for help and be loud about your progress. SDG#17 Partnerships for the Goals encompasses this spirit: Building relationships with businesses of similar profile and size can give you ideas on how to better yourself. Individual businesses often lack the expertise, the funds, or the manpower to materialise projects in support of Agenda 2030 whether it is about researching all the courier services there is, dealing with unconscious bias, or organising a soup kitchen on the coldest day of the winter. Others might just have a solution for your problems while they struggle with something you are a champion of.

Most action implemented in the spirit of the SDGs will also be beneficial to you: rigorous reporting will keep you and your claims in check, saving energy will cut bills, happy employees will work with increased productivity, community outreach will raise your profile.

Swimming in an ocean of complicated compliance requirements, reporting standards – or, in many cases, the lack thereof – has characterised the first few years of Agenda 2030. It is now crystallising that there is no one right way to do sustainable development but that building on shared principles and working towards identical goals is the foundation of a better economy, society, and environment. The unprecedented enthusiasm and eagerness that surrounded the adoption of the Global Goals is long due to translate to tangible action. Instead of looking to others for solutions start leading the way and aspire to inspire everyone to follow suit for People, and Planet.

Our blog exploring the UN’s changing focus on the Sustainable Development Goals is published monthly - making the SDGs relevant and applicable to every day business life. Recent pieces look at the importance of fair, and safe jobs for all, education as a power for change, or at how biodiversity is an urban and business issue.

For an overview of all 17 goals, click here.