In 2015, all the United Nations Member States adopted The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This is described as ‘a blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and in the future’. The core of the 2030 Agenda is a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals are wide ranging and designed to help governments, organisations, businesses and individuals work towards a better future for all. The full list of SDGs is:
1. No poverty
2. Zero hunger
3. Good health and well-being
4. Quality education
5. Gender equality
6. Clean water and sanitation
7. Affordable and clean energy
8. Decent work and economic growth
9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure
10. Reduced inequalities
11. Sustainable cities and communities
12. Responsible consumption and production
13. Climate action
14. Life below water
15. Life on land
16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
17. Partnerships for the goals
How can you build these into your business?
It would be unrealistic to suggest that a business or organisation can prioritise all of these goals. But you can certainly choose a small number to commit to and start to adjust your business practices to give more weight to those goals.
For example, you might choose SDG13: Climate action. There are a number of ways you can choose to adapt your business to help reduce your impact on the climate. This can be anything from where you hold your bank accounts to how you manage your supplier chain.
You could also look at SDG9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure. This is particularly relevant to you if you are a manufacturing business or involved with research and development projects. How can you use innovation and technology to improve production or manufacturing approaches?
Finding the right help
It can be daunting to think about taking on any of the SDGs for your business – you need support, guidance and a way to measure your progress. That’s why we recommend clients look at Future-Fit Business, a benchmark solution that helps companies to align their purpose and progress with society.
Designed to align with the SDGs, Future-Fit Business has been shaped by a council of academic and business specialists which works alongside a Development Council of businesses and investors who test the benchmark to make sure it is usable.
You can also talk to your business advisers – they should be aware of the SDGs and how adopting some of them can benefit your business.
At Switchfoot Accounting, we work closely with our clients to help them adopt practices and approaches that are good for the wider community and society as well as profitable for their business – the two are not independent of each other. Along with our own commitments to making a positive impact on the climate, and being a responsible business, we help clients to see the possibilities for themselves, their organisations and their communities.
Please note: This is not meant to constitute professional advice. It is generic guidance only and things may have changed since it was written –please always seek specific & tailored advice for your circumstances.