Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) consist of 17 goals and 169 sub-goals which will make the world ‘a better place by 2030’. They are part of Agenda 2030, as launched by the United Nations in 2015. The goals should end poverty, inequality and climate change among more. They are the successors of the Millennium Development Goals. What is new is that the goals apply to all countries and that businesses are considered to play an important role in the realization of the goals.
At the end of 2015, world leaders from 193 countries signed the agenda that establishes a global agenda to be realized by 2030.
UN Global Compact is the biggest worldwide sustainability-oriented initiative that received the mandate from the United Nations to stimulate businesses and support the realization of these goals while doing so. In The Netherlands, UN Global Compact Network Netherlands is committed to doing this together with NGOs, the new generation, knowledge institutions and communities, among many more. By doing so, we are connected with the SDG-Charter initiative to foster partnerships.
At the moment, UN Global Compact Network Netherlands works on the paragraph in the National SDG report for businesses.
The Ten Principles and 17 SDGs reinforce and complement each other. Both are cross-border, encompass people, the environment and prosperity, and have a high level of cooperation (partners, stakeholders). The Principles focus on managing risks (countering negative impacts) and the SDGs on seizing opportunities (contributing to positive goals). The Principles focus on managing risks (counteracting negative impacts) and the SDGs on seizing opportunities (contributing to positive goals).’Do no harm’ and ‘do better’ are thus an extension of each other and invite to incorporate it integrally into the company’s mission, strategy, goals and reporting from the start. This can strengthen one’s innovative power, agility and knowledge exchange.
Want to know more about SDGs?? See:
https://www.unglobalcompact.org/sdgs
RSM has created a series of 77 videos for all to watch that showcase examples of how management knowledge can contribute to the SDGs and how organizations that have incorporated the SDGs into their core strategy are creating lasting positive change. Read more.