Transforming UN SDGs into Actionable Business Goals
- Terry Wills
- Dec 21, 2023
- 4 min read
What are SDGs and what do I do with them?
If you are new to sustainability, or trying to implement practical ESG goals for your company from scratch, it can be very hard to know where to start. There’s so many different approaches and frameworks you could follow, never mind all the best practises that may or may not become compliance requirements, as well as considering what your customers and supply chain will or won’t be doing! It’s fair to say that it’s presently very difficult to predict and navigate this space, which is why we see so many companies either going their own way or gravitating towards narrower, practical & tangible environmental standards such as ISO14001 etc. But if you want to start at the beginning and try to figure out suitable ESG goals at a level that’s more suitable for incorporating into your overall mission and purpose, what would be a good starting point?
As you’ve probably experienced, there’s more than just one answer, although a good place to start your journey is by aligning to, and then integrating, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, known as the SDGs. The SDGs have a number of advantages that makes them a great jumping-in point:
They are globally recognised and used by a very wide range of organisations from NGOs to large corporations.
They are aligned strongly to real and recognised ESG challenges in society and the environment, with highly credible data and contributors.
They can be applied to businesses of all sizes and complexities, in any market.
They are presented in a clear and easy to understand way that makes it much simpler to adhere to them.
But how do you turn these global ambitions into actionable, customised goals for your company? Let's explore the practical steps to take these goals, and use them to build an actionable plan.
The UN Sustainable Development Goals
The SDGs are a set of 17 interconnected goals established by the United Nations in 2015, aimed at addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation. They serve as a comprehensive guide for organisations looking to contribute positively to the planet and society. While there are 17 goals defined, this does not mean you have to act on all of them. A good initial approach is to find those that closely resonate with your operation and sustainability ambitions and start from there.
The 17 Goals are:
Identifying the Right SDGs for Your Business
Step 1: Conducting a Business Impact / Materiality Analysis
Begin with a thorough analysis of your business operations, products, and services. Identify which aspects of your business have the most significant impact on environmental and social factors. For instance, a logistics company might have a considerable impact on SDG 13 (Climate Action) due to carbon emissions from transportation.
Once you have completed this analysis, it’s a good time to review the scope and if the expected effort will require a dedicated team to ensure your sustainability plan can be integrated and executed.
Step 2: Matching Business Activities with SDGs
Using the results of Step 1, match your business activities with relevant SDGs. For example, if your company is in the manufacturing sector, SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) might be a primary focus. Similarly, a company in the education sector might align closely with SDG 4 (Quality Education).
Crafting Your Business’s Sustainability Goals
Step 3: Setting Specific, Measurable Goals
With the relevant SDGs identified, set specific, measurable goals. For example, if SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) is a priority, a goal could be to reduce energy consumption by 20% in the next five years using renewable sources. Your scope of the SDG / Goal does not need to be the same as written in the SDG definition. But you should ensure that it is closely aligned and does not contravene the objective. For example, SDG 1 has the objective of ending world poverty. Clearly no company will be able to tackle this on its own, but you can contribute through company goals and policies such as paying a fair living wage everywhere you operate.
Step 4: Integrating Goals with Business Strategy
Ensure these sustainability goals are integrated into your overall business strategy. This means aligning them with financial goals, marketing strategies, and operational plans. For instance, pursuing SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) can involve fair labour practices, which can enhance brand reputation and employee satisfaction.
Be thoughtful with how you wish to achieve each goal within the scope of your organisation. While sustainability is clearly a worthy cause, if your approach does not provide (or removes) a competitive advantage or assist with elevating your market position, it may not gain the required internal investment in time or resources needed to action it. Aligning to the SDGs can be a fantastic catalyst for innovation, market leadership, pre-empting risks and driving efficiency, if done right.
Implementing Your Sustainability Plan
Step 5: Developing an Action Plan
Develop an action plan with clear steps, timelines, and responsibilities. This could involve investing in new technologies, changing supplier policies, or employee training programs. The point where the draft plan is ready would be a good time to review with your company’s senior leadership to ensure their executive sponsorship. Sustainability can’t be a ‘tack-on’ to normal operations, to do so runs the risk of veering away from purposeful intention into short-term acts such as Greenwashing. To succeed, your approach will need to be fully integrated not only in to ‘How’ you run your company but, more importantly ‘Why’.
Implementing a sustainability plan requires resources, investment, time, and probably an element of sizeable transformation. Without support top-down, your chances of achieving a suitable outcome will be limited.
Step 6: Measuring and Reporting Progress
Regularly measure and report on your progress. This transparency not only helps in keeping track of your goals but also communicates your commitment to stakeholders, including customers, employees, and investors.
Conclusion: Making Sustainability the Core of Your Business
Transforming the UN SDGs into your business goals is a journey of innovation and commitment is about making choices today that will pave the way for a sustainable, profitable future. By taking these practical steps, you're not just contributing to global goals; you're positioning your business as a leader in the sustainable revolution. Remember, every small step counts, and your journey towards sustainability can inspire others to follow suit!
To find out more about the SDGs you can visit the dedicated site here:
For further assistance with selecting the SDGs that are most relevant to your organisation you can use the ‘SDG Compass’ – a free resource that helps with the selection process and also provides much deeper content around the overall SDG initiative: