The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a globally accepted framework for sustainable development that recognise the co-dependence of society, the economy and the environment. The overarching principle is ensuring that no-one is left behind.
The framework for improvement provided by the SDGs gives organisations a common language for sustainable development that is relevant to every organisation from large corporations through to grass-roots community groups.
Sustainability Advantage champions the role business can play in achieving the goals by 2030. It works with sector groups and individual organisations to help them understand how to use the framework of the goals.
A shared vision for sustainability
The UN SDGs present opportunities and create space for innovative partnerships between business, government and the community to address some of the world’s most complex challenges.
By aligning purpose with the UN SDGs, organisations can grow business impact, find new opportunities in partnerships and increase their value to stakeholders, customers and communities, as well as improve engagement within their organisations.
Support for organisations
In 2016, Sustainability Advantage took an active early lead in promoting the 2030 Agenda. As well as contributing to SDG 17 by fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships, Sustainability Advantage drives tangible progress on SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production in NSW by building the organisational capacity of its members to integrate the UN SDGs into corporate strategy and practice.
Many members have discovered they have significant opportunities to impact the goals, particularly via procurement contracts and value chains. The Sustainability Advantage community indirectly impacts all 17 goals.
Case studies
Many members have aligned the SDGs in their business strategy to achieve positive outcomes in their organisation:
