The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as part of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, have become very popular in recent years and not solely because of their real importance. Their understanding is usually superficial because it responds to the need not to be “left out” of something that, mistakenly, has become a trend when its purpose is different and much more transcendent. Something similar occurs with the Anglo-Saxon concept, “ESG” (Environmental, Social and Good Governance), which translates in Spanish as “ASG” (“Ambiental, Social y Buen Gobierno”) and which refers to the implementation of these three criteria to guarantee long-term sustainability. Nowadays, it is easy to hear many actors talking about “how well” they implement ESG or SDGs in their businesses without even knowing their scope. The purpose of this article is to explore the SDGs in greater depth and to answer the following questions: What are the SDGs? What is their history? To what do they refer? What is their purpose? Why are they important? What do I gain by implementing them?
What are the SDGs?
The SDGs are a series of principles that seek action by all inhabitants of the planet on 3 main fronts: ending poverty, protecting the planet, and improving people's lives. The 17 SDGs are the following: i) no poverty; ii) zero hunger; iii) good health and well-being; iv) quality education; v) gender equality; vi) clean water and sanitation; vii) affordable and clean energy; viii) decent work and economic growth; ix) industry, innovation and infrastructure; x) reduced inequalities; xi) sustainable cities and communities; xii) responsible consumption and production; xiii) climate action; xiv) life below water, xv) life on land, xvi) peace, justice and strong institutions; and, xvii) partnerships for the goals.
What is the history of the SDGs?
The SDGs are part of the 2030 agenda of the United Nations for Sustainable Development and were approved by all the member states in 2015. The main objective is to achieve the goals in 15 years from the date of their approval (2015). Before the SDGs, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were in force, which were approved in 2000 by the United Nations General Assembly and were summarized in 8 points to achieve harmony and good global coexistence. In some cases, the MDGs coincide with the SDGs, but the former did not have sustainable development as a transversal axis as a driver of action and implementation of these. Finally, in a short period of time, the world's needs have changed and this prompted member states in 2015 to adopt the SDGs.
To what do the SDGs refer?
Each one of the SDGs has its specific objectives that serve to evaluate and measure the state of implementation and progress of said goal. For example, one of the objectives is SDG 12 “Responsible Consumption and Production”, which refers to the need to reduce food waste per capita in the world by one-half and by 2030, at the retail and consumer level and reduce food waste in production and supply chains, including post-harvest waste. Each SDG is a world onto itself; it has its reason for being, its metrics, and its general and specific objectives. But together, they all seek to improve coexistence on the planet and satisfy unmet needs for years, involving not only governments but also corporations and citizens of their places of action.
What is the purpose of the SDGs?
The main objective of the SDGs is to improve the quality and standard of living of all the world's inhabitants based on three levels of action: i) action at the global level; ii) action at the local level; and, iii) action by individuals. Possibly, not all the SDGs apply to all people or industries and that is why a prior diagnosis is usually made for their implementation to identify the applicable SDGs to strengthen their implementation in a specific area. There is no economic reward in the application of SDG per se, but there is a reputational positioning that places an individual or corporation in a position of evidence of its sensitivity to the problems that affect the entire world.
Why are the SDGs important?
They are not only important because they “sound good”, but because in recent years they have become an element of risk and investment placement metrics. New generations and modern leaders evaluate the status of SDG implementation, as part of a process of corporate due diligence and its result is usually one of the contributors to decision-making in large corporations. Precisely, projects that apply SDG are those that are best viewed by the international financial community, as they seek to generate a positive social and environmental impact with palpable results. Among other things, poverty, climate change, discrimination, hunger, lack of access to education, the use of fossil fuels are undeniable realities, which also have scientific evidence and the SDGs seek to find a firm position for all inhabitants of the planet in the face of these realities that we live through, seeking to satisfy current needs without compromising future generations.
What do I gain by implementing them?
From an economic point of view, the compensation may not be greater or so immediate. However, from a reputational and long-term investment point of view, the application of SDGs could be measured in economic terms. Outside of the economic component, the citizens of the world demand a purpose in the development of different industries and also a real impact that can also be measured in satisfying basic needs that are part of the current dynamics. Therefore, positioning yourself as an individual concerned about the world's problems can generate important benefits in the social, environmental, and corporate social responsibility fields, as well as others.