Sustainable development goals are a part of wider 2030 agenda of global goals for sustainable development launched by the UN summit on September 2015. The 17 SDGs is built on 8 major Millennium Development Goals (MDS) set by United Nations back in 2000 with the objective to eradicate poverty, hunger, illiteracy and hunger by 2015. Upon the renewal of MDGs, the 2030 agenda is aimed at ending the poverty of all forms. SDGs majorly address the global challenges we face today. It’s a universal call to action to end poverty, promote sustainable agriculture, achieve food security and improved nutrition, protect our planet, promote an inclusive, sustainable economic growth and provide decent employment opportunities to all.
A business cannot prosper in the world tormented with inequality, poverty or environmental issues. For a company to do well they must align themselves with the global priorities and ensure that catalyst to the efforts in achieving SDGs in a stipulated amount of time. Although not many of the SDGs apply to every business, the SDGs will provide a powerful framework for any business to drive their CSR policy contributing towards the sustainable society.
Larry Frink, CEO of the world’s largest investor, Blackrock, recently outlined this reality in stark terms: “To prosper over time, every company must not only deliver financial performance but also show how it makes a positive contribution to society.”
SDGs are clearly articulated by the CSR program, an effective communication tool to tell everyone what the company is doing to help the community in which it sells its products or services.
Linking CSR with the SDGs is an ethical and a pragmatic move. It can benefit the society and the profit margin of a business as well; hence it is, therefore, important for any business to position them as cheerleaders, having sustainability at the core of their business growth. This will make a business to stay ahead not only in the competition but also on the receiving end of the reasonable regulation.
Also converging CSR and SDGs could open up partnership opportunities across, private, public and civil society sectors to achieve a common aim of sustainable development. For example, if a company’s CSR focuses on the area of enhancing livelihood through skill development for women, it contributes to various SDGs like ending poverty quality education, zero hunger, gender equality, decent work and economic growth.
Here are some inspiring examples of huge organizations tackling sustainable development goals
Discovery channel supports clean ocean – SDG #14 LIFE BELOW WATER
Airbnb helps provide refugee relief workers with places to stay – SDG #16 PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/ingrid-embree/how-17-companies-are-tack_b_11991808.html
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