The path to creating a better world for future generations is no longer solely the concern of governments and international organizations. The focus has now shifted to the private sector, so they commit to a responsible and sustainable plan of action to face the social, economic, and environmental challenges that impact the wellbeing of the planet. To reach this goal, the UN has launched a plan that comprises 17 Sustainable Development Goals which businesses all over the world will engage with by developing programs and policies to tackle each goal, and Sinay is not the exception, as the French company actively contributes to at least 5 of the 17 goals.
What are the 17 goals of sustainable development?
Back in September 2015, all Member States of the United Nations came together to form a plan with the end goal of creating a better future for everyone on Earth. This roadmap, which would span over the following 15 years, outlined a set of goals that aimed to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice regarding health, education, and the economy, be more inclusive, build sustainability and protect and preserve our planet.
These goals came to be known as the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (or SDGs). In line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, they are described as “an urgent call for action by all countries, developing and developed, in a global partnership.” The Goals are: (1) no poverty, (2) zero hunger, (3) good health and well-being, (4) quality education, (5) gender equality, (6) clean water, (7) affordable and clean energy, (8) decent work and economic growth, (9) industry, innovation and infrastructure, (10) reduced inequality, (11) sustainable cities and communities, (12) responsible consumption and production, (13) climate action, (14) life below water, (15) life on land, (16) peace and justice strong institutions, and (17) partnerships to achieve the goal.
Why do companies need to engage with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals?
Many business leaders and investors have started to look at the overall picture, past their own companies’ revenues and present needs, and have become aware of the impact that their actions have and the long-term effects, as threats to the business landscape continue to pass, such as natural disasters, loss of resources, food shortages, energy and fuel crisis, overpopulation, and new technologies, to name a few.
As key players in the economy, companies can no longer turn a blind eye to the numerous problems that jeopardize the future of the planet and its population, as their actions can greatly impact them. As a way to counteract the potential negative effects, numerous businesses have begun to integrate the SDGs into their business sustainability plans by making a long-term commitment and adapting their business model to reach these goals.
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How can companies actively support the SDGs?
Currently, more and more businesses are engaging in sustainability practices that fall in line with the SDGs. Companies can take an active and leading role to contribute to each SDG by making changes to their business models and, for example, creating appropriate workspaces, facilitating responsible innovation, and redesigning production processes up and down the value and supply chains so that they are aligned with the SDGs.
In 2020, a reporting organization named GRI published a report in which approximately 200 companies were evaluated in regards to their SDG policies. The report showed that at least 83% of them were taking the SDGs into account in their corporate reporting, where each business evaluated which targets were more suitable for them and their industry. In general, companies chose to focus on the following goals: decent work and economic growth (8), responsible consumption and production (12), and climate action (13). However, as the report also notes, in practice, only 40% made measurable commitments to them.
This means that, although companies are taking great steps to reach each SDG, there is still a long way to go. Sometimes, especially in larger businesses, it is difficult to make a change in their products, values, or supply chain that will comply with the chosen SDG. There can also be monetary or resource issues, which prevent the business from achieving real, measurable results.
An example of how companies support the SDGs: The Sinay Hub
An example of how the SDGs can be applied to the business world can be seen at the hands of the French-based company Sinay, which is proud to support 5 out of 17 SDGs thanks to its environmental and logistic modules.
- The Sinay Hub, in line with SDG 9 Innovation and Industry Infrastructure, offers more efficient navigation, thus facilitating global maritime traffic and sustainable industrialization. The hub monitors key environmental water parameters according to SDG 14 Life Below Water to ensure that human impact on aquatic life is minimal – the Hub allows global trade to be less environmentally harmful. It also monitors air quality, which is directly referenced as an SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities goal indicator.
- The Air Module supports SDGs 11 and 13, Sustainable Cities and Communities and Climate Action, since measuring air quality is a major indicator for both. Sinay helps minimize maritime activity impact to reduce air pollution and climate change.
- The Water Module ensures reduced water pollution, as well as water quality monitoring, by helping to take climate action, and helping reduce ocean pollution, in accordance with SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 13 Climate Action, and SDG 14 Life Below Water.
- The ETA Module supports SDG 9 by promoting technological improvement in all industries; SDG 11 by advocating for air quality management; SDG 13 by calling for public harmony with nature; and SDG 14 Life below Water, thus preventing marine pollution. The module helps the maritime industry to fight against pollution and respect marine biodiversity thanks to innovative technology.
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Conclusion About the World's Companies and the Sustainable Development Goals
Overall, the Sustainable Development Goals aim to make the world a better place by making companies play an active role in it. Fortunately, the private sector is answering the call to action and developing plans and strategies to achieve it. However, this is not an easy path to follow and still has a long way to go, as seen in the numbers on the GRI report. Any business, either small or large, needs to engage in this long-term commitment and follow the SDGs’ action plan so that their thoughtful, relevant, and conscientious actions will later secure the planet’s wellbeing for all.
Frequently Asked Questions About SDGs
To create a better and sustainable future on earth, the member States of the United Nations launch the: Sustainable Development Goals.
The SDGs are described as “an urgent call for action by all countries in a global partnership”.
These goals aim to end extreme poverty, fight inequality & injustice regarding health, education, and economy, build sustainability & protect & preserve our planet.
Because everyone made actions that have a negative impact! We can speak about natural disasters, loss of resources, food shortages, energy and fuel crises, overpopulation, and there is more.
With this, it’s important for companies to adapt their business model to reach some or all sustainable development goals.
- No Poverty
- Zero hunger
- Good health and well-being
- Quality education
- Gender equality
- Clean water and sanitation
- Affordable and clean energy
- Decent work and economic growth
- Industry, innovation, and infrastructure
- Reduced inequalities
- Sustainable cities and communities
- Responsible consumption and production
- Climate action
- Life below water
- Life on land
- Peace, justice, and strong institutions
- Partnerships to achieve the goal
