SDGs: A Call to Action for People and the Planet
“A shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.”
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by United Nations Member States in 2015, launched the well-known Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 17 SDGs were designed as imperatives to be achieved through partnership with the understanding that strategic and collective action was necessary for progress. The United Nations General Assembly meeting this year marked the midpoint in the SDG timeline and with it came the warning that we are not on track to meet the goals.
Do the goals seem lofty? No, they are fundamental principles to uphold. Indeed, they are foundational to civil societies and vital to advancing inclusive economies and resilient communities. Take for example, SDG #1 No poverty, SDG #2 Zero hunger and SDG #6 Clean Water and Sanitation. We recognize that eliminating poverty and hunger, enabling access to clear water and sanitation and protecting oceans and forests are paramount. Yet, we are not on track to meet the timeline set out for the goals. Why is that?
The Implementation Gap
First, there is an information- and process-gap between the development of science-based commitments and their implementation. Setting ESG commitments such as net zero are just paper exercises without effective implementation plans. That necessitates innovation and transformation to incorporate the goals into business strategies and developing strong corporate governance as guidance and oversight. And, in turn, it often requires reprioritization, retooling and resource shifts.
The Transparency Paradigm
Second, transparency and information-sharing around how to effectively build programs to achieve SDGs must improve. Many global corporations have been working towards implementation of the SDGs and reporting on that progress since inception of the goals. The United Nations Global Compact and Global Reporting Initiative were early collaborators to streamline build-out and reporting. We’ve more recently seen regulatory body activity – such as adoption of the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) – and ratings agencies activity – such as Moody’s – progressing SDG alignment and transparency.
The Collective Action Model
Third, we must advance global partnerships with community and capacity building at their heart. I will share an example of collective action built upon local community engagement. I had the honor and pleasure of serving on the board of directors for the now former Voss Foundation, with the groundwork led by a team of experienced and dedicated people. Launched by VOSS and the Brundtland Family – yes, theGro Harlem Brundtland (past PM of Norway, WHO D-G, UN Elder, and Chair of the World Commission on Environment and Development that produced the seminal Our Common Future report). The foundation’s mission was clean water access, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in sub-Saharan Africa. This was accomplished by building local, in-country partnerships to bring together WASH technology, training and resources with community implementers in the local villages. These projects had significant, positive impact on daily life and not just helped to alleviate disease (SDG #3 Good Health and Wellbeing), but also to address fundamental issues such as education access as typically women and girls might spend hours of the day walking to clean water sources and carrying water back to their community (SDG #4 Quality Education and SDG #5 Gender Equality) – what was referred to as the ripple effect.
Addressing these three areas are key to unlocking a more sustainable future and a more inclusive and prosperous world as envisioned by the SDGs.
