We all work better with tools
Using the SDGs as tools to help us all be better global and corporate citizens
The UN Sustainable Development Goals were launched in 2016. In my opinion they are the biggest example of the world coming together to address the biggest challenges we face. The goals are the vehicle to execute the plan of ending poverty, inequality and climate chaos by the end of 2030. The SDG’s are effectively the world’s road map to achieve these aims and all 193 countries in the world have signed up to the goals.
These goals are exciting and ambitious. They have to be given the scale of what we’re facing. Each of the 17 Goals have a series of targets behind them that make it possible for our actions to be anchored in a global plan. Anyone can see the targets and act on them and they are a fantastic tool for conscious leaders.
For example, let us look at Goal 15, Life on Land
If you click on the icon for Goal 15 you’ll read some shocking statistics. Statistics designed to galvanise us in to action. To make us all realise the damage we’re causing through what we do, what we consumer and how we behave. Not one of us can honestly say that we’re not contributing in some way, shape or form to our planetary degradation. As the page says “human activity has altered almost all of earth’s surface, squeezing wildlife and nature in to an ever-smaller corner of our planet.”
I remember being at a sustainability conference a couple of years ago where one of the speakers Jon Christensen from UCLA said “numbers numb and stories stick.” It’s stayed with me, but I think both play an important role in helping businesses feel that they can do more good than harm. The numbers often quoted to us about the scale of the challenge we face can feel overwhelming, like a problem for someone much bigger than us. How does my small patch of rewilded garden really make a difference? That’s where the Goals and their targets really help.
For example, if you click on the targets section behind Goal 15, you can see that actually, rewilding parts of your garden does infact contribute to the Goal, it’s part of target 15.5. That’s amazing and empowering. By looking at my rewilded patch of garden every day (especially now in lockdown) it reminds me to use my wallet to support what I believe in by using conscious choice to influence the impact of my purchasing decisions. I discovered recently that Jordan’s cereals are promoting rewilding so that resonates with me. I can pledge allegiance to this brand and their beliefs through my purchase of their cereal.
As you can see, the ripple effect of my commitment to Goal 15 is already being scaled up.
In a work context, one of the latest investments of our carbon offsetting programme at Bewley’s (my previous employer) was working with the MesoamericanDevelopment Institute to conserve and regenerate an area of forest at least equal to areas of coffee cultivation in the Pico Pijol national park in Honduras. This rewilding effort saw coffee yields increase as well as the return of numerous bird species. The added benefit of this is that farms didn’t need to increase their farming footprint due to pollination levels and the benefit of increased biodiversity.
When farming is good for the farmer (in terms of profitability) and good for the environment- it’s hard to see why such a way of farming is not widespread, both at home and abroad.
Conscious business leaders need to understand sustainability impacts within their supply chains and create frameworks that empower their teams to act in the best interest of our global ambitions of ending poverty, reducing inequality and addressing climate chaos. These challenges shouldn’t just be left to NGO’s and Government.
In summary the Global Goals should be used as a tool- both to inspire personal action and to anchor your businesses impacts in our global plan. They’re a great way to build belief, trust and engagement with your stakeholders as you demonstrate that your business is a good corporate citizen.