The Agenda 2030, an UN Resolution from 2015, include 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future. The SDGs provide a common language and a compass for the challenges of the 21st century. Aiming for the SDGs requires the commitment not only of politicians and civil society, but also of the business community.
Innovation and investment from business is elementary to achieving the SDGs. The SDGs not only formulate challenges for which the participation of companies is essential. They also enable them to identify risks and potentials that can be addressed through responsible and sustainable corporate governance.
Less than ten years remain to implement the 2030 Agenda. Given the slow progress to date, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for a “Decade of Action” in early 2020 and mandated the UN Global Compact to mobilize business.
The UN GCG joins this by supporting companies in interpreting and strategically implementing the SDGs.
Principle-Based Approach: The SDGs in the UN Global Compact
While governments are responsible for creating supportive incentive systems and frameworks for implementing the SDGs, the role of civil society is to ensure that all societal interests are included (under the motto "leave no one behind"). The private sector also plays a crucial role in achieving the SDGs due to its investment and innovation capacity.
The UN Global Compact follows a principle-based approach in mobilizing the private sector for the implementation of the SDGs:
- In the first step, companies should act responsibly in accordance with the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact. The focus here is on identifying risks and minimizing the negative impacts of their actions ("act responsibly").
- Building on this, companies have the opportunity to make a positive contribution to achieving the goals and to develop new business opportunities, for example, through investments in new processes and technologies, innovative solutions and products, productivity and resilience-enhancing measures, as well as job creation ("find opportunities").
Forward Faster Initiative
The Forward Faster Initiative, led by the UN Global Compact, is a global movement to accelerate business action towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Focusing on areas like climate action, gender equality, and decent work, this initiative empowers companies to take bold steps that enhance operations and address global challenges. Join the movement to drive meaningful change and advance sustainability efforts worldwide.